It could be that the weather has something to do with it, or that Houston has one of the lowest unemployment rates for a big city. Housing here is relatively cheaper than in other places, too, and while it's not an easy place to get around, one can do it with a little perseverance, which these newcomers have in abundance.

But ultimately, the main reason Houston, and Texas, are the No. 1 destinations for refugees seeking haven in the United States could simply be that the word is getting around. Thanks to word of mouth, more and more of the world's refugees lucky enough to qualify for resettlement in America are asking to come to Houston or Texas.

Last year, for the first time since at least 2000, more refugees - 5,623 of them, or 10 percent of the national total - were settled in Texas than in any other state, something, perhaps, to celebrate as this most-diverse of American cities this week marks World Refugee Day.

They come, literally, from virtually every corner of the globe, but the vast majority of refugees to the United States are now coming from Burma, Bhutan and Iraq - a demographic echoed by the people arriving in Houston.


'Strong economy'

In years past, the majority of those refugees were settled mostly in California, Florida and New York. But over the last 10 years, Texas - and Houston - have been steadily climbing in the rankings of the states and cities that received the most. And the economy has played a large role in that trend.

"The numbers are increasing in Texas primarily due to a relatively strong economy," said Caitriona Lyons, coordinator of the state's Refugee Resettlement Program.


A refugee is defined by the federal government as someone who is "unable or unwilling to return to his or her country of nationality 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."




"Refugees are particularly resilient," she said. "They are survivors. Very few rely on public assistance after a year. They're also not very familiar with the concept of welfare."

Some are scraping by


He was assisted in his first few months by YMCA International's refugee assistance program, he said, which helped him get established. But more money would be nice now that he is nearing the 8-month assistance cut-off.

"It is not enough," he said of his wages. "This month is the last month for me. Now I pay bills, I pay for the apartment. But I am going to try my best. I like Houston very much."
