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Refugee definitions

  1. A "refugee" is a person who applies to come to the United States from another country and can prove that he or she fears persecution. An "asylum seeker" is a person already in the United States who has to also prove that he or she fears persecution in order to stay here.
  2. The US government has extremely detailed regulations for the various kinds of persons that come legally or stay legally in the United States. Each category of immigrant has different requirements, and potential immigrants often need the assistance of an immigration attorney to figure out which category is best for them and how to proceed through the process.
  3. Immigrants from the Philippines are just now welcoming their brothers or sisters who were approved to come to the United States in March of 1982. Immigrants from most other countries are welcoming their brothers or sisters who were approved to come in August of 1991. Because of the large number of relatives waiting to come from the Philippines, there is a longer wait for them – but the wait is long for everyone.

Understanding immigrant experience key to welcoming refugees

  • Alexander Campbell was an immigrant.
  • Bob Hope was an immigrant.
  • Albert Einstein was an immigrant.
  • Peter Jennings is an immigrant.
  • Madeleine Albright is an immigrant.
  • Arnold Schwarzenegger is an immigrant.

All of these people and many others came to the United States from other countries. They worked hard and became respected leaders in their fields. We treasure them as outstanding citizens.

Without immigrants, there may never have been a Disciples of Christ denomination! Thomas and Alexander Campbell and Walter Scott, three of our founders, were all immigrants. Today, immigrants continue to play an important role in the life of our denomination. About 54 percent of the new Disciples congregations being established are congregations made up of immigrants – 9 percent Asians and Pacific Islanders, 11 percent Haitians, and 34 percent Hispanics.

As a denomination that is becoming more diverse in its makeup, it is important for us to grow in our understanding of immigrants and immigrant issues. Most people lump all kinds of immigrants into a broad category of foreigners and don't understand the various distinctions. Do you know the difference between a refugee and an asylum seeker? Do you know how the U.S. government decides who can come to the United States and who cannot come? Do you know how many years brothers and sisters have to wait to join their siblings who have already come as immigrants?

Refugee game.
Playing the Refugee Game at the 2003 General Assembly in Charlotte, N.C. DHM photo by Angela Herrmann

We Disciples are a pilgrim people on a path to finding a new home that God has promised us, and we share that path with people from around the world who join us in that pilgrimage. It is a joy to be part of a denomination that was founded by immigrants and that welcomes immigrants into the life of our congregations! May we continue to be a welcoming denomination by better understanding what immigrants experience as they come to join us and by helping them find their way though the complicated immigration requirements they face.

If you would like to better understand US immigration categories and all the requirements there are for people to come to the United States, please order the document, Immigration Categories, from DHM's Refugee and Immigration Ministries. RIM may also be able to assist you in locating immigration attorneys in your area. Phone (888) 346-2631 and ask for Jennifer Riggs or e-mail jriggs@dhm.disciples.org.

The Rev. Jennifer Riggs director of Refugee and Immigration Ministries, is a native of Winamac, Ind., and a member of Central Christian Church, Indianapolis.
 

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