“Cursed is anyone who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow.” – (Deuteronomy 27:19)
Fast facts:
- A survey conducted in May 2018 showed that 51% of Americans believe that country is responsible for accepting refugees and the 43% believes they should not
- Since 2018, there are roughly 30 millions refugees world wide
- Over half of these refugees are young individuals under the age of 18
- The countries that accept and welcome the most refugees are Germany (1.1 million), Sudan (1.1 million), Uganda (1.2 million), Pakistan (1.4 million), and Turkey (3.7 million)
- The plan that the US has set for the year 2020, is no accept no more than 18,000 refugees. This will be the smallest amount of refugees taken into the US since 1980.
What the Bible teaches:
- “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” – Hebrews 13:2
- “When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God” – Leviticus 19:33-34
The U.S. Catholic Bishops’ opinion:
- “Our common faith in Jesus Christ moves us to search for ways that favor a spirit of solidarity. It is a faith that transcends borders and bids us to overcome all forms of discrimination and violence so that we may build relationships that are just and loving”
- “Persons have the right to find opportunities in their homeland”
- “Persons have the right to migrate to support themselves and their families”
- “Sovereign nations have the right to control their borders”
- “Refugees and asylum seekers should be afforded protection”
- “The human dignity and human rights of undocumented migrants should be respected”
Christian theologian/Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams’ Opinion:
- “To lose a home and a land is to lose the security of being a citizen, or at least of having a community where everyone knows you belong. If you are young, it is to lose vital years of educational opportunity. If you are a woman, especially a woman on your own, it is to be more at risk of violence and abuse. If you are old or ill, it is to bring death closer. For everyone, it is to be more in danger from hunger and disease. And often, most tragically, it is to be the object of suspicion, prejudice or worse from the countries where you find yourself”
Sources:
- http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/09/27/key-facts-about-refugees-to-the-u-s/
- http://www.un.org/en/sections/issues-depth/refugees/
- http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity
/migrants-refugees-and-travelers/refugee-resettlement/index.cfm - aoc2013.brix.fatbeehive.com/articles.php/2762/archbishops- ecumenical-letter-to-churches
The Truth of Immigration 