Journey Home Community loves to welcome newcomers.
Brad Kinnie posted this comment on his LinkedIn page recently. It is re-posted here by permission.
In Canada and the United States, there is a lot of news and misinformation relating to migrants and asylum seekers.
I am so thankful to be part of an organization, Journey Home Community, that welcomes those fleeing persecution and seeking safety in Canada.
This is what we stand for and I want to share three key beliefs to counter the half-truths and negative rhetoric you may be hearing on social media and in the news.
We believe . . .
1. Those who cross borders irregularly and without proper documentation to seek safety for themselves and for their families have a legal pathway to do so. There is nothing illegal in this pursuit.
International law, enshrined in the 1951 UN Convention on Refugees and the 1967 Refugee Protocol clarifies that those seeking asylum are not breaking laws when they cross borders. Canada is a signatory to both agreements. The USA is a signatory of the protocol which signifies it will abide by the Convention.
2. Welcoming and caring for asylum claimants, refugees and newcomers to Canada is a moral responsibility. It is honourable, just, lovely and commendable to welcome and love those who are suffering, marginalized and displaced.
As a person of faith and as Journey Home is a faith-based organization, we invite churches, people who believe in the teachings of Jesus, and all people of similar beliefs to faithfully live into the value of loving our neighbours as we love ourselves.
3. Our society, our economy and our culture is enriched and strengthened by the many contributions, skills and strengths, and passions that newcomers bring with them.
Brad Kinnie
When you personally get to know newcomers to Canada, you will meet people who are resilient, desire to give back and who make our nation a better place to live.
Join me and join Journey Home Community in committing to speak the whole truth even when it is complicated to do so, and to standing with those who are seeking asylum and safety in our prosperous and vast nations.
Brad Kinnie is Executive Director of Journey Home Community. They “envision a society where all refugees experience hope and belonging as they engage in meaningful participation in their community and flourish in all aspects of life.”
Journey Home Community is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. They began officially in 2005, after a small community group in Willingdon Church became aware that refugee claimant families were arriving homeless and isolated, with no one to welcome them.
The group acted and now has a team of 20 people who work on three main areas:
- Welcome Homes: short term transitional housing, with support to move into more permanent homes;
- Meanwhile Spaces: temporary spaces or homes slated for demolition, offered by developers;
- Communities of Welcome: trained community groups and faith communities who offer friendship to newcomers.
Journey Home regularly hosts Love Without Borders gatherings, which focus on ‘welcoming refugee claimants orientation.’ The next one will take place at Willingdon Church February 22, 9:15 am – 3 pm.
An unrelated but parallel statement was made by Pope Francis February 10, to his bishops in the United States. He wrote, “I have followed closely the major crisis that is taking place in the United States with the initiation of a program of mass deportations.” Go here for the full statement.
Article 31 of the 1951 convention forbids imposing penalties on refugees who entered illegally in search of asylum . . . if they present themselves without delay. So if they present themselves as refugees, their entry is ultimately not illegal for immigration purposes.
However, most illegal entries occur through overstaying a visa granted for other purposes. That is illegal because it misrepresents the terms of one’s stay and is not covered as legal by the Refugees Convention and Protocol. Very few people resent those who are coming to Canada for legitimate purposes under legal auspices, but those who abuse the system make it bad for those who do not.