Who is a refugee or immigrant?

An immigrant is someone who makes a decision to leave his or her home and move to a foreign country with the intention of settling there, but not because they are fleeing war, violence or persecution. Immigrants often go through a lengthy vetting process to immigrate to a new country. Many become lawful permanent residents and eventually citizens.

A refugee is someone who has been forced to flee his or her home because of war, violence or persecution, often without warning. They are unable to return home unless and until conditions in their native lands are safe for them again.

Community Agencies that support immigrants and refugees.

  • Iowa City Compassion offers many services for refugees and immigrants ranging from citizenship classes, legal services, and a food pantry. Learn more by clicking this link: https://www.iccompassion.org/services
  • International Rescue Committee in Iowa City focuses on helping refugees and immigrants by focusing on their economic wellbeing, education, health, empowerment, and safety. Learn more by clicking this link: https://www.rescue.org/what-we-do
  • Immigration Welcome Network is an organization that helps newly arrived refugees and immigrants in the Johnson County, Iowa area. They help to empower people by providing the basic necessities to live. Learn more by clicking this link: https://www.iwnjc.org/our-services-overview
  • Catholic Worker House offers short-term overnight stays, Free Food Pantry, and regular open hours to come in for homemade meals, hot coffee, showers, laundry, conversation & community. They also offer monthly rent assistance, protective accompaniment, and deportation defense to immigrant workers and families to help them stay in their own homes. Learn more by clicking this link: https://iowacitycatholicworker.org/
  • Escucha Mi Voz strengthens the power of immigrant workers to achieve dignity and justice. Learn more by clicking this link: https://www.facebook.com/escuchamivozia
  • Open Heartland cultivates a strong, inclusive community by supporting immigrants who face barriers. They empower individuals by providing access to vital resources, fostering meaningful connections, and celebrating the diverse cultures that enrich our society. Learn more by clicking this link: https://openheartland.org/
  • Proteus provides agricultural workers and their families with affordable health care, education assistance, and job training. Learn more by clicking this link: https://www.proteusinc.net/what-we-do/programs/

HealthCare Information:

Primary Care providers are the base level for health care and usually the first point of contact for non emergency care. Family Medicine, Pediatrics, and Internal Medicine are examples of Primary Care providers.

Look at this guide to help you understand how medical care works in the US and at the University Hospital Clinics. You can read it in different languages.

https://uihc.org/finding-right-medical-care-you-united-states

If you have medical insurance, including Medicaid, you can call University of Iowa Health Care  at 800-777-8442, to find out about appointments. You can ask for an interpreter.

If you do not have medical insurance, you can call the Iowa City Free Medical Clinic at 319-337-4459, to find out about appointments. This clinic is staffed by volunteers, so they have limited services.

The Eastern Iowa Health Center is a special clinic that provides care on a sliding scale so both people with insurance, including Medicaid,and those without can see a medical or dental provider. This clinic is in Cedar Rapids. Call 319-730-7300 to find out about appointments.

Mental Health Information:

The Iowa City Free Mental Health Clinic is a transition care clinic with outpatient metal health services including evaluations, therapy and counseling referrals, and medication management. You can call 515-346-8083 to find out about appointments. 

Problem Management Plus (PM+) is a peer-led program for Iowa refugees to strengthen skills in problem and stress management. Participants will meet with a trained facilitator from their own community who will provide mental wellbeing support to help people handle stress and navigate their new life in the US.

Vaccination Information:

Vaccines train your immune system to recognize and fight off harmful germs without causing full blown illness. You should talk to a trusted doctor or nurse about what vaccines you and your children should have.

Children who do not have insurance or those on Medicaid, as well as adults who do not have insurance can get no-cost vaccines at Johnson County Public Health. Please call 319-356-6042 to schedule an appointment. If you have insurance you can talk to your doctor’s office or go to your local pharmacy to get vaccines.

TB Information:

Active TB is an infection that usually gets into your lungs, but it can also affect your brain, eyes, skin or internal organ. Over 1 million people worldwide died from TB in 2024. When TB is in your lungs it can be contagious to those around you, like your family, friends, and co-workers. Doctors can treat this active infection with strong antibiotics.

You can also have Inactive or Latent TB in your body. The bacteria is not making you sick now and you are not contagious, but we do not know when or if you will move to having a dangerous active infection in the future. Most doctors will suggest that you take antibiotics to treat the inactive infection, so you do not get sick in the future.

Johnson County Public Health works with all the health clinics in the area to help people with TB get the medicine that they need.

Hepatitis B Information:

Hepatitis B is a liver disease caused by a virus. In many parts of the world this infection is much more common than in the US. This infection is passed through blood and body fluids. The most common ways to get this infection are from sex or when it is passed from mother to baby.

Many times people have this infection and do not know it. If you have this infection you will get checked by your doctor on a regular basis to monitor your health. Many people do not experience symptoms for many years after they are infected.

It is important that all pregnant women are tested for this infection. If a mom tests positive then Johnson County Public Health monitors the baby to make sure that they get all their vaccines so that they can stay healthy.

Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself from this infection!

Change of Status Information:

  • Johnson County Public Health can help with your I-693 forms for free if you have REFUGEE status. 
  • Call Jennifer or Rachel at 319-356-6040 to make an appointment to start the process. It will take at least 1-3 months to get the papers filled out and for you to get any vaccines that you need.
  • If you do not have refugee status you must see a Civil Surgeon (special doctor) to have an immigration physical. Johnson County Public Health cannot help for this exam.
  • Please use this search tool to find a doctor nearby. https://www.uscis.gov/tools/find-a-civil-surgeon