Outcasts United: An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman's Quest to Make a Difference

Over the past 40 years, the city of Atlanta, Georgia, has emerged as a notable hub for refugee resettlement in the United States. Georgia accepts approximately 2,500 to 3,000 refugees per year, with most settling in the Atlanta area. Approximately 60,000 refugees have been settled in Georgia since the program began early 1970s. The number and placement of refugees is determined by aid organizations at the national level. Within Georgia, refugee resettlement services are handled primarily by the International Rescue Committee, New American Pathways, and Lutheran Social Services. The resettlement of refugees in Georgia is a central concern of Outcasts United, as St. John demonstrates the importance of community support for refugee families.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the city of Atlanta experienced a period of significant growth as its population expanded and diversified. The city’s robust economy and newly expanded international airport made Atlanta a prime location for refugee resettlement in the 1980s, and organizations like the International Rescue Committee and Lutheran Social Services began to operate in the area. As the city grew, the small towns surrounding Atlanta also expanded, and many wealthy white residents moved deeper into the suburbs, causing housing prices to fall. Clarkston, Georgia, was selected for refugee resettlement for its proximity to Atlanta, cheap housing, and extensive public transport. Today, Clarkston alone accepts approximately 1,500 refugees per year. There are currently 150 distinct ethnic groups represented in Clarkston, speaking 60 languages. The town’s dramatic demographic shift is the central focus of Outcasts United.