(Re)building Lives in Non-Traditional Destinations: Dispersal Placement and Resettled Refugees' Integration in the United States

Author

Sangmi Sung, CUNY Graduate CenterFollow

Date of Degree

6-2025

Document Type

Doctoral Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Program

Sociology

Advisor

Van C. Tran

Committee Members

Nancy Foner

Philip Kasinitz

Jeremy Porter

Subject Categories

Civic and Community Engagement | Community-Based Research | Migration Studies | Place and Environment | Quantitative, Qualitative, Comparative, and Historical Methodologies | Race and Ethnicity | Regional Sociology | Rural Sociology | Urban Studies and Planning

Keywords

Refugee resettlement, Congolese refugees, Dispersal placement, Georgia resettlement, Cluster analysis, Resettlement typology

Abstract

This dissertation investigates how refugees’ early resettlement experiences are shaped when they are placed in small towns or “non-traditional” destinations, spotlighting how different local reception contexts influence their initial integration. Drawing on Arar and FitzGerald’s (2022) view of resettlement as a form of continued displacement stemming from limitations in the global displacement and humanitarian response system, I argue that the refugee resettlement mechanism—exemplified by dispersal placement—both in the US and across the broader Global North, perpetuates refugees’ displacement by neglecting the diverse experiences of different refugee groups in exile.

Focusing on Congolese refugees in two distinct Georgia communities, this study employs an ecological framework to analyze nationwide placement trends, examine local conditions in both asylum countries and in the United States, and delve into intra- and inter-group dynamics among refugees. Through a mixed-methods approach combining cluster analysis, in-depth interviews, and a small-scale survey, the research illuminates not only the geographic distribution of refugees across America but also the day-to-day challenges they face in diverse settings.

The findings challenge several widely held assumptions about refugee integration. They call into question the effectiveness of coethnic clustering, the adequacy of social services, and the notion that dense refugee enclaves invariably yield positive outcomes. Furthermore, they shed light on the complex factors—such as housing quality, local economic conditions, and pre-resettlement backgrounds—that drive some refugees to undertake secondary migrations. Additionally, the study reveals the dynamic processes through which local aid structures influence refugees’ perceptions of both Black and White Americans. By providing a nuanced look at how local environments can accelerate or hinder early adaptation, this dissertation offers fresh insights into the policy and practice of refugee resettlement, advocating a more balanced and context-specific approach to integration.

Recommended Citation

Sung, Sangmi, "(Re)building Lives in Non-Traditional Destinations: Dispersal Placement and Resettled Refugees' Integration in the United States" (2025). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/6322