Navigating resources in a digital world is imperative for refugee families settling in the United States. According to the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, the United States has authorized admission of up to 125,000 refugees in 2024. Over 3.2 million refugees have made the USA their home since the passing of the Refugee Act in 1980.
American society heavily relies on technology. According to the Pew Research Center 2024 Internet, Broadband Factsheet, 95% of Americans report using the internet. Starting a life here involves not only adapting to cultural and linguistic differences, but also, navigating our virtual world--using online portals to pay bills, find a job, access healthcare, and much more.
Digital culture shapes the way people and technology connect in our society. In 2024, an American Connection Corps (ACC) AmeriCorps member serving as a digital navigator in the University of Idaho Extension, Digital Economy Program partnered with a resettlement agency in Boise, Idaho to teach digital literacy classes and offer one-to-one tech help. Throughout her term of service, she helped refugees and asylum seekers use their mobile devices, access email, get affordable home internet, and recognize scams. These services were developed in response to the common issue that resettled refugees often did not have or know how to access email, voicemail, and other communication tools. The lack of technology access and digital skills contributed to folks missing crucial appointments and missing messages from their child’s school.
The digital navigator also participated as a guest workshop facilitator in an empowering women pilot program at the resettlement agency. The women were excited to find that there are tutorials online in their native language created by those of their own culture. As they explored content they were interested in, such as braiding and cooking, they began discussing how they could share their interests in the community and start a business.
More than 175 clients received digital skills training or coaching from the digital navigator between September 2023 and July 2024, marking the highest number of refugees the Boise-based resettlement agency has ever served in this manner.
Native language speaking interpreters were present in every class to clarify context to specific words or situations that may not translate easily. Offering culturally appropriate digital literacy classes results in refugees being able to acculturate to our digital society and participate in American life with increasing self-sufficiency.
Let’s face it--everyday technology and all the jargon that comes with it is challenging for many native-born Americans. These difficulties are compounded for refugees who are learning to navigate a rapidly changing digital world in a new language as they are settling in their new home.
Citations:
Pew Research Center. (2024, January 31). Internet, broadband fact sheet. https://www.pewresearch.org/in...fact-sheet/internet- broadband/
U.S. Department of State. (n.d.). U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. Refugee Admissions. https://www.state.gov/refugee-admissions/
Co-Written by:
Kathryn Leach, Southwest Idaho Instructional Coordinator
Sasha Rojas Zaragoza, AmeriCorps Digital Navigator
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