Refugee Data Submission System for Formula Funds Allocations (ORR–5)

The Refugee Data Submission System for Formula Funds Allocations and Service Analysis (ORR-5) is designed to satisfy the statutory requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Section 412(a)(3) of the INA (8 U.S.C. § 1522(a)(3)) requires that the Director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) make a periodic assessment of the needs of refugees for assistance and services and the resources available to meet those needs. In order to satisfy statutory requirements, ORR requires each state and replacement designee (hereinafter referred to as “states”) participating in the program to annually submit disaggregated individual records containing certain data elements for eligible ORR populations. ORR utilizes the data collected to assess the number of clients served in each state, resettlement assistance or services clients received, and to determine the corresponding Refugee Support Services (RSS) allocations. ORR also collects data elements to inform evidence-based policy making and program design. New data elements were added in 2021, including additional demographics, primary goals identified, and referrals made to assist clients work towards self-sufficiency, progress made towards achieving said goals, and employment status of employable clients 12 months post-enrollment. This was done to enable ORR and states to monitor implementation of the requirements put forth in ORR Policy Letter 19-07, which provides guidance on RSS family self-sufficiency plans. Individual level data collection enhances ORR and the states’ ability to make data-informed programmatic and policy decisions to strengthen services and best support refugee populations on their path to self-sufficiency and integration. In January 2025, the current Administration released multiple Executive Orders (EO) and memoranda requiring updates to information collections that request gender and/or gender identity, to only request “Sex” with the options Male/Female. Additionally, presidential actions focused on the removal of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)-specific activities. To be responsive to the new administration, ACF is submitting change requests for a number of implicated information collections. This request is specific to updates related to a recent presidential action, as detailed in the accompanying Justification for a NonSubstantive Change Memo.

The latest form for Refugee Data Submission System for Formula Funds Allocations (ORR–5) expires 2027-05-31 and can be found here.