There is much in the news and social media these days about the many people flooding the borders of our country. There are nearly 8,000 people who reside in the same square mile that I do. I live in a community of faces that do not look like mine. Every day I interact with people who speak with words that are not my first language. And in my hometown, I am a minority. Perhaps that makes me view the world a little differently. I know it has made me more aware of the world around me.
Here are a few of the words that I have learned to define more accurately in the past year. A few simple google searches helped me to understand the differences among those who enter our country.
a. Immigrant – a person who migrates to another country, usually for permanent residence. The government has a legal process by which immigrants can seek legal residency and eventually citizenship.
b. Alien – a resident born in or belonging to another country who has not acquired citizenship by naturalization. Illegal alien – a foreigner who has entered or resides in a country unlawfully, or without the country’s authorization.
c. Refugee – a person who flees for refuge or safety, especially to a foreign country, as in time of political upheaval, war, etc. Refugees who which to come to the U.S. must apply for asylum, a process which can take many years.
d. Citizen – a person owing loyalty to and entitled by birth or naturalization to the protection of a state or nation.
But guess what. When googling images – the faces are the same. Just as they are when we go to the grocery store. In fact, unless I ask someone at the checkout in front of me to produce their birth certificate or green card, I cannot possibly know which of the above categories to place them in. But that kind of unjustified classification happens every day. I have been guilty. Have you?
My friend has asked me, “Why are you not like other Americans?” I ask her what she means. “Most white people will have nothing to do with me because I am a refugee. They look down on me.” I cannot understand this. It is assumed that because she is a refugee that she relies on the government for assistance. It is assumed that she cannot speak English. It is assumed that she cannot learn. Why? Because these other Americans did not take the time to ask. What would they learn if they did? They might realize that she and her husband speak excellent English. They also might learn that she and her husband both work very hard so that one day soon they will be able to buy a house for their family. And they might find out that both she and her husband are in college pursuing their degrees. (For her, it will be her second Bachelor’s degree.) But instead they are judged.
I would venture a guess that many of us have forgotten that our ancestors, unless we are Native American, were all immigrants at one time. I know mine were. I also know that I am grateful that I did not have to run here for asylum from war. And I am thankful that the country I live in opens its arms to those who do.
Yes, we need reform in our system, but I am not here to talk about that. I am here to encourage you to look at people with God’s eyes. He is not jaded. He does not ask to see a green card before accepting us into His kingdom. He is loving and welcoming. “When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated like your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 19:33-34).