Towards Integration: Unpacking the Complexities of Multidimensional Economic Integration of Refugees in the U.S

Background and Purpose: Refugees are highly vulnerable to economic marginalization and poverty, often exacerbated by their sudden displacement and the structural barriers they face upon resettlement. Economic integration of refugees is complex, hindered by limited social support, scarce financial resources, restricted employment opportunities, and under-valued or not recognized skills and educational credentials. Traditional measures of self-sufficiency, which focus mainly on income, fail to capture the broader scope of deprivation, including factors such as standards of living. This study examines the multidimensional economic integration of newly resettled Afghans in St. Louis, MO, aiming to provide a more comprehensive perspective on the integration of a record-high number of Afghans resettling in the U.S.

Methods: The study is based on quantitative data collected from 191 Afghan households (n= 930 individuals) using the Refugee Multidimensional Economic Integration (RMEI) and Perceived Discrimination surveys. RMEI measures integration in seven domains: income and economic security; employment and occupational categories; asset and use of financial services; neighborhood and housing; health; education and English language proficiency; and use of public assistance. Data was collected using convenience sampling and structured interviews in English, Dari, and Pashto between February and April 2024. Logistic regression analyzed how factors such as duration of U.S. residency, English proficiency, and perceived discrimination influenced integration. Additionally, the study examined the relationship between welfare benefits, economic hardship, financial health, and perceptions of discrimination.

Results: Findings indicated limited multidimensional economic integration among the Afghan households, nearly all participants (98.34%) experienced limited economic integration in at least two domains. Income and economic security as well as education and English language proficiency were the two domains in which more than half of the participants were experiencing limited integration. Data also shows significant underemployment (51.85%) and concerning numbers living below the minimum standard of living (63.49%), while 54.50% faced overcrowded living conditions. Notably, higher levels of perceived discrimination were associated with better economic conditions (p < .001), possibly reflecting greater social integration or increased interactions within the host community. Government benefit programs markedly reduced perceived discrimination (p < .001), highlighting the importance of social support systems. Additionally, financial health was positively correlated with reduced discrimination (p = .013), suggesting that financial stability contributes to social acceptance.

Conclusions and Implications: The study underscores the complexity of economic integration, beyond self-sufficiency. Our findings show that unidimensional monetary indices including income poverty may not accurately capture the full extent of economic integration among refugees. Policy measures should consider multidimensional indices to better measure standards of living and integration among refugees. For the majority of refugees, securing employment is essential for economic integration. However, the current emphasis of the resettlement programs on immediate job acquisition can confine refugees to minimum-wage jobs, requiring long hours of work with limited opportunities for upward mobility and no time to invest in their human capital.