Migrants, Refugees and Travelers

Refugees

Refugees are individuals who have fled their countries of origin and who meet the United Nations' criteria of having a "well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion."

Each year the President of the United States authorizes the admission of a certain number of refugees into the country.  This determination is based on a consultative process between Congress, the President and various federal agencies.  In recent years, the US has accepted between 50,000 to 75,000 refugees per year.  Before admission to the US, each refugee undergoes an extensive interviewing, screening and security clearance process.

Refugees, having suffered great loss, including loss of their homes, livelihoods, possessions and oftentimes families, need assistance starting over in a new country.

Their initial needs are many: food, clothing, shelter, employment, English language training, and orientation to a new community and culture.  In partnership with its affiliates, the United States Catholic Bishops' Migration and Refugee Services department resettles approximately 30% of the refugees that arrive in the US each year.  The Catholic refugee resettlement network includes over 100 diocesan offices across the country and in Guam and Puerto Rico. Resettling refugees provides an extraordinary opportunity for countless Americans to take an active part in offering a caring and supportive environment for refugees as they begin new lives. Without volunteers and resources from the community and parishes, MRS and its affiliated diocesan resettlement offices would be unable to accomplish the tremendous task of giving refugees new hope and the opportunity to begin again.

DONATE NOW!

Help us to "welcome the stranger among us" and serve our migrant and refugee sisters and brothers by making a contribution to the National Catholic Fund for Migration and Refugee Services.

Migrants and Travelers

Migrants and travelers include people like migrant farmworkers, circus and race car workers, seafarers and others  whose work and lifestyle necessitate frequent travel.  These "people on the move" may be unable to participate actively in a local parish community year round. Yet they and their families have the same needs for religious formation, preparation for and the reception of the sacraments, opportunities to deepen their relationship with Christ and a need to be welcomed by Catholic parishes when they are in local communities.

The Catholic Church's concern for people on the move expresses itself primarily in a ministry of pastoral accompaniment coordinated by the Secretariat for Cultural Diversity in the Church.

MORE INFORMATION

Some of the many resources available on this issue are listed below. You may also use the Buscar / Search feature to find other material. Please contact us, using the link on the far upper right corner of this page, if you need further information.