Program Description

Refugees are a special group of immigrants admitted into the United States because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. These individuals enter the United States legally as a refugee pursuant to Section 207 of the Immigration and Naturalization Act. For the most part, refugees cannot return home because of the danger they would face upon returning.

Each year, the North Carolina Division of Social Services places hundreds of refugees throughout the state. According to the Center for New North Carolinians at the University of North Carolina Greensboro, most of these refugees settle in Mecklenburg, Wake, Buncombe, Guilford and Craven counties. Guilford County is home to the state's largest and most diverse refugee communities. On average, almost 500 refugees settle in Guilford County each year. As a result, county leaders are putting more attention on refugees. This fall, the Greensboro Public Library's One City, One Book program is featuring Mary Pipher's The Middle of Everywhere. In the book, Pipher recounts her experience in Lincoln, Nebraska with a growing refugee population.

UNC-TV, in partnership with Guilford College, joins Greensboro's conversation on refugees as it examines the issues raised by Pipher's book. Focus On...Refugees looks at how many refugees are settling in North Carolina and why. It explores what refugees find when they come to North Carolina, how these new residents adjust to life in the US and what their experiences can teach us all. Shannon Vickery moderates a panel discussion, taped before an audience in Guilford College's Dana Auditorium.

Join Shannon and her guests for a one-hour discussion on how refugees are shaping North Carolina.