Immigrants
"I was a stranger and you welcomed me." Today the illegal immigrant comes before us like that 'stranger in whom Jesus asks us to be recognized jn paul
Who is the refugee or an illegal immigrant? Refugees flee their country out of fear of persecution because of their race, religion, nationality, members of a particular social group or political opinion. Since they are not protected by the State to which they belong it is the duty of other countries to offer them protection. Many flee their countries not because of fear of persecution, but because of situation of war or conflict. While technically they are not refugees, they cannot be sent back to their country, so they are granted a lower level of protection called humanitarian status until they can safely return home. On arriving in a country, immigrants can apply for asylum and thus become asylum seekers. Asylum seekers are not criminals. (JRS pamphlet)