KAY DeMOSS
News Editor, Michigan Area
The presidential campaigns and the terrorist attacks in France, Iraq and Lebanon have put refugees and immigration in the headlines.
Hour by hour many are expressing a need for higher walls. United Methodists, however, maintain a focus on keeping gates open.
A natural human fear of those we don’t know is accelerating during this immediate crisis. The “stranger” indeed may be … a terrorist … or a tourist … or a refugee. Is there a way to get above the inflammatory rhetoric to do what Jesus would do when faced with something scary?
Jesus would love.
So MIConnect reached out to those in our midst who have direct, regular, loving relationships with the “stranger.” National Justice For Our Neighbors (JFON), headquartered just outside Washington, D.C. supports 13 JFON sites throughout the United States. Collectively these sites employ nearly 30 immigration attorneys offering free legal counsel and advocacy for neighbors in need. These sites operate in 12 states; two of them are in Michigan.
JFON West Michigan opened its doors in Grand Rapids in 2004. They have since made clinics available in Holland, Traverse City and Kalamazoo. Laura Rampersad serves as the Director.
JFON came to Southeastern Michigan in 2009 with clinics hosted by Dearborn 1st UMC. JFON-SEMI now also serves clients at Ypsilanti 1st UMC, Detroit El Buen Pastor UMC, and Catholic Social Services in Pontiac. Their director is Tori Booker.
Week by week these organizations go about their work offering compassion and hope to men, women and children, regardless of the daily headlines. During this terrible week, they offer three pieces of counsel.
KNOW THE FACTS
In the midst of an overwhelming amount of information and speculation, search for solid information. Laura Rampersad commends an article from The Economist that states: “Refugees apply for resettlement at American embassies or through the United Nations. If they pass that first hurdle, they are screened by outposts of the Department of State all over the world. They undergo investigations of their biography and identity; FBI biometric checks of their fingerprints and photographs; in-person interviews by Department of Homeland Security officers; medical screenings as well as investigations by the National Counter-terrorism Centre and by American and international intelligence agencies. The process may take as long as three years, sometimes longer. No other person entering America is subjected to such a level of scrutiny. Refugee resettlement is the least likely route for potential terrorists”
Melanie Goldberg, Staff Attorney for JFON-SEMI, adds, “There is no easy access for refugees coming to the United States as there is in Europe. It is not as easy as some believe to cross the border or come in on a plane. There are lots of restrictions and lots of controls in place. The U.S. doesn’t just open gates and let refugees through.”
She continues, “Ten thousand of the 85,000 refugees to come into the U.S. starting October 1, 2015 are Syrians. The 30 people asking to come to Michigan already have refugee status and have gone through all the background checks. These are safe people who are truly seeking refuge.” To date JFON-SEMI has not worked with any client from Syria. They regularly see families from Iran and Yemen. Melanie is convinced it is possible to “be both welcoming and careful.”
MAINTAIN PERSPECTIVE
Tori reminds people that those who are causing the fear and terror are a small minority.
Melanie acknowledges, “It is hard to tell people not to be afraid. I am safe in my home but the world has changed and nobody can say differently.” She cautions against over-reaction. “What Governor Snyder said and what people heard are two very different things. He said he wanted to pause. That’s his word … pause. He wants to see how things develop but he did not say he wants Michigan to shut the door and become an unwelcoming state. We can’t fault him for that in the midst of a scary situation.” (Snyder’s comments may be read in a statement in Time Magazine.)
Laura also remains cautiously optimistic. “Governor Snyder understands the economic benefits refugees can bring to the state. The Mayor of Detroit, Mike Duggan, has been wanting the refugees to come to the city and is convinced they will be a betterment to the community.” Laura concludes, “I am hopeful that the Governor is just being cautious in his immediate response.”
Empathy is in order. “Be thoughtful and put yourself in the place of the civilians in these countries,” Tori suggests. “They are victims and the acts of a few do not represent them.”
Laura agrees saying, “Certainly national security is important but blaming refugees is not the right approach.”
STAY INFORMED
Both JFON Directors are committed to providing the same level of services and hospitality that have been available in Michigan for the last ten years. They will keep up their educational efforts and action alerts through their websites and e-newsletters (subscribe at http://jfonwestmichigan.org/ and http://jfonsemi.org/).
Tori and Laura offer this list of sources for trusted information:
- Church World Service
- United Methodist Committee on Relief
- National Justice For Our Neighbors
- UMC General Board of Church and Society
- Like the Facebook pages for JFON-WMI and JFON-SEMI and visit often.
Melanie encourages an American response more open to the growing human need. “Look at Germany,” she notes. “They are the size of California and they are taking 105,000 asylum applications; the U.S. is taking 85,000.”
Last Updated on November 10, 2023