My friends who came to Italy seeking refuge are my best life teachers. They keep my problems in perspective. They came here as refugees fleeing war, violence, and poverty. They are strong, thankful, and wise. One dear friend boarded a boat with her husband and infant daughter in the dark of night when she was terrified of water. Another friend lived on the streets of Rome for a week before finding someone that would give him a chance to work. Another friend arrived in Italy running for his life. Have these friends found refuge? Are they still refugees? They are learning the local language, they work, they serve in their communities and church congregations. What do you think? What comes to mind when someone says the word “refugee”? To me, the title refugee, is a badge of honor like prisoner of war or a Holocaust survivor. It says something about a person’s life experience and personal strength to survive.
This blog gives us a space to share what we are learning from our friends who are or have been refugees and the situations they face through our eyes. I’ve lived in Italy for nine years. I don’t know everything there is to know about the refugee situation here. Instead of letting what I don’t know paralyze my writing, I will write what I am learning. You might be reading this because you have friends who have come to your country seeking refuge. Are they still refugees?
Official Statement on the Detention of Refugees and Ongoing Community Violence
With another death in Minnesota and continued violence toward individuals and groups standing up for their communities, we acknowledge the profound fear and uncertainty people are feeling--not just locally, but across the country.
On top of this, there are reports that refugees invited and admitted to our country through the U.S. Refugee Admission Program are now being detained, meaning that our new friends and neighbors feel that fear most acutely.
Refugees have already fled violence and persecution once. They came here legally, seeking safety. In moments like these, we reaffirm our commitment to building communities where refugees and immigrants can live without fear. Where they can go to work, send their children to school, and build lives of dignity and belonging.
We call for due process, accountability, and humanity in all immigration enforcement operations. We call upon our leaders to demand the demilitarization of our neighborhoods and cities. And we call on all of us to continue the work of welcoming and protecting those who have been forcibly displaced from their homes.