In Part Two of Resettled and Forgotten, Dr. Jessica Darrow unpacks what actually exists behind refugee and immigrant resettlement in the United States—and where the system still falls short.

She explains the structures currently in place for refugee support across healthcare, housing, and social services, highlighting how government agencies partner with NGOs and caseworkers to provide entitlements during resettlement. Yet, despite these frameworks, real challenges persist, especially in communities facing limited resources.

Dr. Darrow challenges the “refugee versus citizen” narrative, arguing that equitable healthcare and social protection require a shared community identity, one rooted in collective care rather than division. She emphasises that the gap between rural and urban healthcare resources in the U.S. is profound, noting that inequitable access is not only a refugee issue but a rural health crisis affecting everyone.

Resettlement, she reminds us, is a process, not a destination. The funding structures that support it, often tied to performance-based contracts for work placement and healthcare access, reveal deeper tensions in how care is delivered.

To move toward a rights-based health system, Dr. Darrow calls for a shift in mindset: those born into high-resourced environments have a moral responsibility to advocate for the rights and dignity of all people, everywhere.

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