Refugees and Immigrants
in Louisville, KY
(Stats by the Urban Institute of Washington D.C and Kentucky Office For Refugees
Full study available at http://www.louisvilleky.gov/International/Urban+Institute+Study)
In 2004, the foreign-born population of the Louisville metro area was estimated to be about 53,000. 
This number is actually likely to be much higher because internationals are often under-counted in official government surveys.
53,000 international Louisvillians represents:
- 93% increase in the international population since 2000
- 388% increase in the international population since 1990
50% of Louisville’s annual population growth is attributed to internationals
- 38% coming from Latin America
- 35% coming from Asia and the Pacific
- 15% coming from Africa
- 12% coming from Europe
15% of Louisville’s internationals are refugees (twice the national average). Between 1994 and 2004, almost 11,000 refugees were resettled in Louisville.
Between 2000 and 2005, the number of English-as-a-second-language (ESL) students in the Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) grew by 122 percent.
95 languages are spoken in Jefferson County Public Schools, with over 3500 ESL students enrolled.
The undocumented population in Louisville is much lower than the national average , at 18% compared to 27% nationally.
33% of internationals arrive to the United States with at least 4 year degrees ,versus 19% of native-born Americans with 4 year degrees.
85% of all refugees arriving in Kentucky are resettled in Metro Louisville.
1241 is the number of refugees Catholic Charities and Kentucky Refugee Ministries resettled in our city last fiscal year (July 2007 – June 2008).
Current projected refugee resettlement numbers for Louisville this fiscal year:
African refugees (Burundi, Somalia, Congo): 185
East Asian Refugees (Burma, Korea, Vietnam): 326
European/Central Asian Refugees (Russia, Ukraine): 16
Western Hemisphere (Cuba): 56
Near East/South Asia (Bhutan, Iran, Iraq): 212
Special Immigrant Visas (Iraqi or Afghan translators or family members
that assisted the US military): 165
What Can I Do?
1. Subscribe to the Office of International Affairs weekly electronic newsletter
http://www.louisvilleky.gov/International.
2. Attend an international festival or event.
3. Visit an international shop or restaurant.
4. Become familiar with and use your international directory.
5. Help businesses become Title 6 knowledgeable and sensitive, providing information in other languages,or knowing how to gain the services of an interpreter if necessary.
“In Every Language” (502) 213-0317, From Europe, dial +44 (0)20 7993 4494 “Catholic Charities Interpreter Services” (502) 636-9263
6. VOLUNTEER!
Important Definitions of Status
Legal Permanent Residents (LPRs)
. . . are legally admitted to live permanently in the United States by qualifying for immigrant visas abroad or achieving permanent resident status while in the United States. LPRs are issued documentation commonly referred to as “green cards,” although the cards have not been green for many years. Almost all LPRs are sponsored (i.e., brought to the United States) by close family members or employers.
Refugees and Asylees
. . . are granted legal status due to persecution (or a well-founded fear of persecution) in their home countries. Refugee status is granted before entry to the United States. Refugee status may be granted to a group of persons, although each individual must also qualify for the status. Asylees must meet the same criteria regarding fear of persecution. Unlike refugees, asylees usually arrive in the country without prior authorization (or overstay a valid visa), later claim asylum, and are granted their legal status while in the United States. After one year, refugees and asylees are generally eligible for permanent residency, and are eligible for naturalization after five years. Almost all “adjust” their status and become LPRs.
Temporary Legal Residents
. . . have been legally admitted to the United States for an undefined period of time and have not attained permanent residency. Most are people who have entered for a temporary period for work, as students, or because of political disruption or natural disasters in their home countries. Some seek to stay for a permanent or indefinite period and have a “pending” status that allows them to remain in the host country and work, but does not carry the same rights as legal permanent residency.
Undocumented Immigrants
. . . do not possess a valid visa or other immigration documents because they entered the United States illegally, stayed longer than their temporary visas permitted, or otherwise violated the terms under which they were admitted. A small number eventually adjust their status and attain legal residency after a sponsorship petition has been filed by a relative, spouse, or employer.