July 12, 1999
 
  FACT SHEET:
USG-FUNDED RETURN PROGRAM FOR KOSOVAR ALBANIANS  
 

All Kosovar refugees brought to the United States from the Former Yugoslav Republic (FYR) of Macedonia under the humanitarian evacuation program sponsored by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) are free to reside in the U.S. permanently. For those Kosovars who wish to leave the U.S. and need assistance, however, the U.S. government will facilitate their return to Kosovo. UNHCR has expressed its hope that Kosovars provided temporary refuge in countries outside the Balkan region would not immediately return home. UNHCR expects, however, that conditions in Kosovo will be sufficiently stabilized to permit the majority of Kosovars to return by next spring.

 The USG is therefore not encouraging Kosovars resettled in the U.S. to return home precipitously. However, based on a growing interest by Kosovar refugees in returning sooner rather than later, we have decided to begin a USG-funded return program. Transportation arrangements will be made by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The requirements and modalities of the program are explained below.

 Who is eligible for the program?  
 

Eligibility is limited to those refugees who entered the U.S. through the FYR Macedonia-based admissions program and who arrived in the United States on USG-funded flights before July 31. (Kosovars arriving after that date will be considered a part of normal U.S. refugee admissions processing and thus not eligible for this special return program.) Refugees who wish to participate in the program must commence travel prior to May 1, 2000.

 How does a Kosovar refugee apply for the program?
   

Refugees will be required to complete and sign an IOM application form, which can be obtained by calling IOM at 1-800-748-4521. This form will also be made available to voluntary agencies which resettled Kosovar refugees. Upon receipt of the completed form, IOM will arrange the refugees' transportation and notify the refugees when these arrangements have been made.

 What if refugees are unable to travel when IOM wants them to?
   

IOM will work closely with refugees to find a date and time acceptable to them. Therefore, refugees who fail to appear for their scheduled flights will lose the opportunity to return to Kosovo at USG expense unless they present a compelling reason.

 Will refugees be expected to sign a loan note for their return transportation to Kosovo?

 No. The USG will pay the cost of transportation and transient accommodations and services en route to Kosovo. However, only transportation arranged by IOM prior to May 1, 2000 will be funded.

 I understand that refugees who return to Kosovo will have their IOM travel loan for their travel to the U.S. cancelled. Is that correct?

 Yes, provided the refugee returns to Kosovo prior to May 1, 2000. Refugees should be aware, however, that their travel loan may be reactivated should they return to the U.S. at a later date.

 What happens if a refugee decides to remain in the U.S. or does not leave until after May 1, 2000?

 Refugees would be responsible for their travel loans and will be billed promptly. Those departing the U.S. after May 1 will also not be afforded USG assistance for their return travel.

 Does everyone in the refugee family have to return to Kosovo to qualify for the return program?

 No. The USG will fund the return transportation of all qualified refugees, even if some family members elect to remain in the U.S. We will not, however, fund the transportation of all adults in a family if that would leave an unaccompanied minor (an unmarried child under the age of 18) on his own in the U.S. We also strongly encourage families wishing to leave the U.S. to ensure that dependent family members are not left alone in the U.S. without sufficient resources. 

What happens to the loan note if part of the family returns to Kosovo and part stays in the U.S.?

 The refugees would be expected to pay back the transportation costs for those family members remaining in the U.S. after May 1, 2000. Family members returning by May 1 will not be required to repay the travel loan.

 What happens to the U.S. refugee status of Kosovars who return home?  
 

Kosovars who think they may wish to return to the United States within one year of their departure should be advised to apply for a refugee travel document issued by the Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS) prior to leaving the United States. In addition to obtaining a refugee travel document, Kosovar refugees seeking to reenter the United States will have to establish their admissibility to the United States, as do all aliens applying for admission at a U.S. port of entry. A refugee who remains outside the United States for more than one year may be considered to have abandoned status and may not be readmitted as a refugee.

 If a Kosovar refugee travels to Kosovo without first obtaining a refugee travel document, it is possible that he or she may not be able to return to the United States. Although INS regulations now permit a refugee to apply for a refugee travel document within one year of departure from the United States, the application may not be approved if the refugee has returned voluntarily to his or her country of origin and has sought and obtained the protection of that country. Under the circumstances as they exist today, however, a refugee would not be considered to have sought and obtained the protection of the country of origin by simply returning to the internationally protected province of Kosovo.

 What impact does a refugee's return to Kosovo and subsequent return to the U.S. have on his/her ability to adjust status?

 By statute, a refugee who has been physically present in the United States for at least one year may apply for adjustment to lawful permanent resident status. A period of absence from the United States does not count as physical presence. For example, a refugee who is absent from the United States for three months would be eligible to apply for adjustment of status fifteen months after his/her admission as a refugee.

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