Love The Resident Alien

I caught myself whining the other day. We're in the middle of a few home improvement projects. Where is my book? Why is the ladder here? Do I really have to wash all the walls? Where's the spackling? As I was feeling sorry for myself, I began to ponder the plight of people forced from their homes due to violence and war.

For refugees, the stakes are much higher than the occasional discomforts of remodeling. Often, in the dark of night, they flee without anything but the clothes on their backs. They must say goodbye to their homes or even countries as they seek sanctuary for themselves and their families. Furthermore, they become vulnerable to human trafficking. "They're caught between a rock and a hard place," says Mike Wilch, Refugee Policy Advisor for the USCCB Migration and Refugee Services. "Human smugglers are aware of this. It's easy for (the refugees) to be exploited." In Syria alone, there are 3.9 million refugees that have fled their country, says Wilch. He added there are 7.6 internally displaced from their homes.The crisis expands into Africa, parts of Asia, and South America.

The World Fair Trade Organization estimates there are over 50 million refugees in the world today (wfto.org). If they're lucky enough to reach a formal refugee camp, they're faced with living quarters much like a compound, Wilch said. The property is typically fenced off, a large trailer is on site and the bare minimum necessities are provided. Even then, most of the sewer and water supplies are not adequate or safe. Sometimes camps are quickly established. "Imagine camping without equipment," said Wilch. Food, water and shelter become more valuable than gold when refugees flee their native lands. Though there are no statistics, refugees may often face death before reaching a safe haven.

For children, this experience wears on their bodies and their emotions. Many develop eating and sleeping disorders. Wilch said many of these children have experienced violence, physical trauma and even death. Wilch added that hosting nations, those bordering the troubled country, feel the stress and strain of the incoming refugees. "People are fleeing to countries that are not very well off. The host communities are struggling to survive. He had visited Turkey, which has 1.6 mil Syria refugees and a couple hundred thousand refuges from other countries. Though it's a wealthier nation, Wilch says, "they are feeling it." The problem seems insurmountable for most of us to comprehend, much less provide assistance. Countries and governments struggle with this issue, with it often becoming a battle between political parties.

"For the LORD, your God, is the God of gods, the Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who has no favorites, accepts no bribes, who executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and loves the resident alien, giving them food and clothing. So you too should love the resident alien, for that is what you were in the land of Egypt" (Deut. 10: 17-19). The Catechism further instructs us with these words, "Human interdependence is increasing and gradually spreading throughout the world. The unity of the human family, embracing people who enjoy equal natural dignity, implies a universal common good. This good calls for an organization of the community of nations able to "provide for the different needs of men; this will involve the sphere of social life to which belong questions of food, hygiene, education, . . . and certain situations arising here and there, as for example . . . alleviating the miseries of refugees dispersed throughout the world, and assisting migrants and their families" (CCC 1911). "An important thing to remember -- each life is so precious," said Wilch. "It's important each country along the way of the journey provides a path for freedom."

Today, I am grateful for my home, family, and country, even as I struggle to put my house back together. These are gifts given to me by God. At any moment, they could all be taken away from me. Will there be anyone to help my family and me? For more information on this topic go to http://www.usccb.org/about/migration-and-refugee-services/