This might seem a bit shocking and might even anger some people but I really at times especially recently wondered if refugees are happier here and have easier lives.  The more I learn about the refugee agencies and their processes of coming here as well as the treatment they get from other people.  As an immigrant I know that it takes at least 2 years for someone to really settle in and know the language however, that is for younger people.  What about the older ones?  We ripped them apart from their families, scatter them across the country, expect them to learn the language and make living in 6 months!  That is ridiculous.  And sure there might be some other aid they can apply for but really how are they suppose to know about it before its too late?  They have their case workers but they are always busy taking care of the new refugees and pushing the “old comers” last on their priority list.  As I was sitting at my Thanksgiving table all I could wonder if my refugee family is ok, could they ever have such feast like we do.  How can they find jobs with limited English and be independent.  Sure I left my house at the age of 17 and sustained myself but the advantage I had was the language.  A 5o year old might be more educated than me, have better skills but if they can’t speak the language I will be chosen over him.  That is completely not fair.  At the same time, are the agencies even trying to really look where to locate these families!  I know for sure that their records are messed up and they donnot know how many people live in each apartment.  I am sure that there is a limit to how many people live in apartments and I bet half of the apartments are overcrowded because the agencies do not pay attention to how many they assigned to the place already.  Maybe if they looked harder we even would end up with better landlords that wouldn’t try to take advantage of the refugees because I am sure that not everyone is horrible like that.  Also, we do not consider what conditions people came from… I am sure that it would be a lot easier for a refugee from a farm like background adjust in a farm like surrounding.  But now they are thrown in all around the country without considering what would be easier for the refugee… It is always what is the easiest for us.  I do not mean to get someone really upset by writing this however, I do think that there are very big gaps in the way we deal with refugees.. On the other hand, I know that there a happy stories and refugees really saved in the U.S.