MISSION
Guided by the principles of human compassion and dignity, Refugee Services of Texas welcomes refugees, immigrants, and other displaced peoples and supports them in integrating and thriving in their new communities.
WE WORK ACROSS TEXAS
Founded in 1978, Refugee Services of Texas (RST) is a social-service agency dedicated to providing assistance to refugees and other displaced persons fleeing persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group – as well as to the communities that welcome them. RST provides services to hundreds of refugees, asylees, survivors of human trafficking, and related vulnerable populations from over 30 different countries of origin each year. Originating in Dallas, RST now has service centers in Amarillo, Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston.
OUR PARTNERS:
To provide our clients with employment assistance, initial housing, household goods and furnishings, case management, resources, referrals, education, and guidance to assist in establishing self-sufficient lives in Texas, RST works in partnership with volunteers, faith-based communities, social service groups, and businesses.  RST is an affiliate of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS), Church World Service (CWS), and Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM).
WHO WE SERVE:
Refugee Services of Texas serves refugees, asylees, individuals with Special Immigrant Visas, Cuban-Haitian entrants, Central American minors, survivors of human trafficking, and other vulnerable populations. In addition, RST works to facilitate partnerships with host communities to build a welcoming environment.
REFUGEES
A person who has fled their country of origin and cannot return due to a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in particular social groups.
SPECIAL IMMIGRANT VISAS
This visa is offered to Iraqi and Afghani citizens who are being threatened in their home countries due to their work with the U.S. military or U.S. contractors.
CENTRAL AMERICAN MINORS
Central American Minors come to the United States to escape violence and insecurity in their home countries. Most of these children come from Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Mexico. Through the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program, these children are now lawfully able to be reunited with their families in the United States.
ASYLEES
An asylum seeker, or asylee, is a person who has left their home country as a refugee and is seeking asylum in another. They must meet the definition of a refugee, but secured their own travel to the United States.
CUBAN-HAITIAN ENTRANTS
Cubans and Haitians who flee their country for the U.S. are granted special status. Once on American soil, they are granted asylum and qualify for the same services as refugees.
SURVIVORS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Human trafficking occurs when a person or group uses fraud, coercion, or force to exploit another person for labor or commercial sex acts. Victims of trafficking have usually had their documents taken away and may have been tortured and abused.
UNACCOMPANIED MINOR
An Unaccompanied Minor is defined as a child who has no lawful immigration status in the United States; has not attained 18 years of age; and, with respect to whom, there is no parent or legal guardian in the United States, or no parent or legal guardian in the United States available to provide care and physical custody.
TEXAS COMMUNITIES
Not only does Refugee Services of Texas provide assistance to clients through its programs and service, but also seeks to serve the community at large. RST has service centers in Amarillo, Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, and Houston. In each of these cities, RST strives to provide resources, information, and services to partners and community members.