In today’s polarized climate, refugee service providers play a crucial role in supporting newcomer clients who may feel vulnerable to intensified public rhetoric around immigration and cultural integration. While election seasons often heighten this discourse, other events—such as policy changes, prominent news stories involving refugees, or global crises that drive migration—can also amplify discussions that impact newcomers’ sense of safety and belonging. This post offers practical strategies to help providers create supportive spaces where newcomers feel secure, empowered, and connected, even in the face of divisive narratives.
Understanding the Effects of a Polarized Political Environment on Newcomers
Charged political environments, including election season in the U.S., can be challenging for refugees and newcomers—especially those who have experienced political repression and related trauma. Heightened emotions and polarized views can trigger difficult memories. During election cycles, people may have more interest in refugees and resettlement agencies. Issues related to immigration are always deeply affected by election campaigns and results, and this year’s campaign has made resettlement the subject of intense political focus.
As identified in this best practices guide from the Center for Adjustment, Resilience, and Recovery (CARRE), election-related factors that may heighten distress among newcomers include:
- Bigoted and inflammatory political rhetoric—national elections are often a time of heightened political rhetoric that increases as the election date approaches. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for this rhetoric to be explicitly or implicitly bigoted.
- Past experiences with election-related violence—forcibly displaced people are more likely to have past experience of election-related violence like assassinations, coups, targeted violence while attempting to vote, government repression, targeted retaliation for political activities (threats, jail, torture, etc.), and violence in response to election-related protests.
- Witnessing protests, civil disruptions or other election related activities—there is often heightened protests and civil disruption during election season. People can also see images on the news of protests, threats, and violence related to the election.
Supporting Newcomers Exposed to Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric or Hate Incidents
When responding to hate crimes and incidents that may be related to increased political polarization and rhetoric in an election season, it is crucial to adopt a victim-centered approach, tailored to the needs of refugees. By prioritizing their unique experiences and challenges, organizations can foster a supportive environment that encourages reporting and aids in healing. It’s also important to note that some individuals may prefer terms like “survivor,” or another designation, over “victim,” so being mindful of language is essential. Here are five key principles from Tackling Hate to guide your response:
- Ensure that your clients have access to communication and can easily report incidents through multiple user-friendly channels, including options for those with language barriers or disabilities. Providing 24/7 reporting mechanisms is ideal, even if it requires significant resources.
- Make sure that staff are trained effectively on your organizational protocols for hate incidents reporting and the impacts of these processes. It is vital that they are trained in what information they may need to know, who to refer victims to, and how interventions like peer support can support their response.
- Treat newcomers who have experienced hate incidents with empathy, validation, kindness, and respect when they report incidents. Validate their experiences by listening and acknowledging their feelings, which can be an important part of their healing process.
- Provide newcomers with clear information about the reporting process, confidentiality, and what they can expect after reporting. Ensure they know about available support services and any potential outcomes.
- Offer services that are sensitive to the cultural and linguistic needs of refugees. This includes using professional interpreters when necessary and involving community leaders to ensure culturally competent support.
Safety Tips for Protecting Yourself and Newcomer Clients
Heightened political tension and public attention around elections can create uncomfortable or even unsafe situations for refugees and newcomers. It’s important to be prepared with strategies that help newcomers feel secure and supported. Below are some safety tips and guidance provided by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops for helping resettlement staff and their clients navigate these situations.
If a person wants to interview you, you have the right to say no. You also have the right to decline if a person wants to take a video or photo of you. You can say things like “don’t take my picture” or “leave me alone.” You can also cover your face with your arm. Don’t run or try to fight this person; instead, ignore them and walk away. If you feel unsafe, call for help.
If someone calls you on the phone to threaten you, do not respond. Write down the phone number, what the person said, and any other [identifying] details. Then, end the phone call. Talk to your case manager about the call and show them your notes. They will help you report the phone call to law enforcement.
If someone harasses you through texts or social media, do not respond. Keep record of texts or online messages. Talk to your case manager about how to report those messages to the authorities.
Do not share personal information with anyone you don’t know. If someone calls you on the phone or emails you to ask for information like your social security number, date of birth, or bank account number, do not give them this information. If the person says you will get deported or go to jail if you don’t give them the information, this is a scam. If you’re not sure about something, talk to your case manager before taking action.
Make sure your phone, email address, and all online accounts (like bank accounts) have good passwords. Avoid using the same passwords for each account.
Be aware of your surroundings. Don’t walk alone at night and try to walk in pairs or groups. If you see something or someone suspicious around you, tell someone. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
At home, remember to lock exterior doors and windows. Don’t allow strangers into your home. Put curtains in your windows and close your blinds at night. If you drive, make sure to lock your car doors and windows.
Try to vary your schedules and routines. If you like to go for a walk in your neighborhood, try to go at different times and days.
Share safety protocols with staff and volunteers. Ensure all team members know the latest safeguarding and protection protocols for handling harassment or unwanted media attention. Regular updates can help everyone respond calmly to difficult situations.
Establish safe communication channels. Create and maintain clear channels for staff and clients to report any safety concerns. This could be a dedicated phone line, email, or messaging platform where they can quickly reach someone for support or advice when facing harassment or other threats.
Additional Resources
Safety and Security During Elections is an archived webinar by the U.S. Resettlement Agency Safety and Security Forum that focuses on practical ways for resettlement agencies to protect staff and ensure client safety during elections.
Safety Activity Bank is a client-facing collection of activities presented by Cultural Orientation Resource Exchange (CORE) designed to help clients keep themselves, their families, and their communities safe.
Staying Safe Against Hate is a client-facing handout from CARRE with information on what hate crimes and hate incidents are, how to remain safe, and reporting options. It is available in Arabic, Dari, French, Pashto, Spanish, Congolese Swahili, and Somali.
Supporting Children and Youth Affected by Hate Incidents and Hate Crimes is CARRE’s client-centered handout for parents who may have a child impacted by a hate incident or hate crime. It is available in Arabic, Dari, French, Pashto, Spanish, Congolese Swahili, and Somali.
Navigating the Impact of Hate Incidents and Hate Crimes on Clients and Direct Service Staff is a blog for providers who may be working with clients impacted by hate incidents and hate crimes.
Coping with Hate: Resources to Counter Islamophobia and Antisemitism is a collection of client- and provider-facing resources addressing topics related to coping with hate, including cultural awareness, racism, hate crimes, and discrimination.
Countering Xenophobia is a resource library from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for addressing xenophobia, including videos, online campaigns, blog posts, and guides.
Xenophobia toward Refugees and Other Forced Migrants is a research paper authored by Sarah Deardorff Miller and published through the Center for Intentional Governance Innovation as part of the World Refugee Council Research Paper Series; it contains actionable strategies for combatting xenophobia, particularly on pages 4-7.
Meeting Newcomers’ Protection Needs Part I: A Collection of Resources on Community Safety and Crime curates resources to enhance direct service providers’ knowledge of the safety and protection issues that impact clients.
Cultivating Welcoming Communities: Navigating Difficult Conversations About Resettlement is a blog that provides short-, mid-, and long-term solutions and resources for promoting positive sentiments towards—and reducing harmful rhetoric against—newcomers.
