Refugee resettlement

Samsor Ziar splits his time working as a full-time receptionist at the International Institute of Akron and attending evening classes at Stark State College of Akron. He restarted his education journey after leaving behind his home in Afghanistan.

With refugee resettlement organizations stretched thin, the U.S. is trying a different approach. The new private sponsorship program will allow groups of regular people to sponsor refugees.

Tamana Ziar helps refugees and immigrants who just moved to the U.S. Her job includes enrolling kids into school, setting up medical appointments and referring newcomers to the English department at the International Institute of Akron. She's also an immigrant herself.

Jonas Mbonga, originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, fled to escape an increasingly violent political situation. His travels brought him to the United States where he was detained while applying for asylum. The experience affected his health, he said.

Gov. Mike DeWine's spokesman says the process is set by the federal government.

With tens of thousands of Afghans expected to be resettled across the U.S. in the coming weeks, the International Institute of Akron is ready to welcome families to the area.At least one family has already resettled in Akron. Several more could follow, but the timeline is uncertain.

The pandemic disrupted schooling for kids, teachers and parents alike. For resettled refugee families, there can be added complications. 16.

Refugee resettlement has fallen to historic lows in the United States. The country has gone from sheltering 95,000 people fleeing persecution or war...

Both of Summit County’s resettlement agencies are likely to survive the Trump administration’s latest restructuring of refugee efforts nationwide. But…