IMMIGRATION

Introduction:

Travelling from one country to another country would be a happy moment for many. But this is
not same in every case. Because I would like to bring the quote of Eleanor Wilner, he says There
are always in each of us these two: the one who stays, the one who goes away.1Many reforms and
transformation have taken place when we look into the past centuries where even the borders and
histories were redrawn and rewritten respectively due to the cause of migration.2People who are
been entered as immigrants are even misunderstood as refugees. One must understand the
difference between refugees and immigrants. Refugee could be considered as those who fled from
their own country out of fear that they would be persecuted due to their race, religion, social
standing, or political views, or of their race, religion, social standing, or political views, or those
who have escaped an armed conflict.3

What is Immigration?

Immigrants are the one who moves from their own country out of their own preference to become
permanent residence. The way of immigrants to entry could be either legally through ports of entry
obliged to the rules and admission policies set up by the host country-or not. If anyone who try to
enter or enters illegally would be considered as undocumented immigrants.4Immigration always
had an internal issue which had a global backdrop. This issue of immigration always been raised
up because of particular national interest since from the time of colonial era which is neither a
new phenomenon nor a recent political concern.5Additionally there could also be other reason for
people to be migrating because of new commercial start or to create a new mode of society.
Stimulated developments in information technology, communication developments,
globalizations marginalization of third world economies could also been another reason which
cause increase in number of migration.6The immigrants who get settled in different places have

1
Obgu U.Kalu, Peter Vethanayagamony and Edmund Kee-Fook Chia,eds., Mission after Christendom (Louisville:
Westminister John Knox Press,2010),71.
2
Obgu U.Kalu, Peter Vethanayagamony and Edmund Kee-Fook Chia,eds.,71.
3
M.Daniel Carroll R, Christians at the Border. Immigration , the Church, and the Bible (Michigan:Baker
Academic,2008), 21
4
M.Daniel Carroll R .,22.
5
M.Daniel Carroll R .,29.
6
Obgu U.Kalu, Peter Vethanayagamony and Edmund Kee-Fook Chia,eds.,71
their own sub cultural groups within their substructures. This leads in contributing ethnicity.7Some
people view that colour bar could also be one of the reason in which one cant cross though he/she
has pros or abilities.8 The question of immigration is a question of justice issue in contemporary
context. The issue that is evolved in immigration brings challenges us to either consider as a
refugee or migrant when they are being excluded due to the socio-economic issue where even their
national identity becomes an issue .In many occasion people move away from their home where
they are being confronted before powers and principalities of the world.9 Some scholar considers
immigration traditionally to be viewed as masculine project which infuse the issue of gender in it
research and analysis.10

Different Dimensions on Immigration:

Is National identity an Issue:

Migration could be a temporary identification given to people who are in journey. Basically there
could be of two basic assumptions. Firstly one who leaves return back for their good to their own
country and another case is the one who dont want to return and want to settle abroad. In the
above two case both physical location and legal status really challenges a migrant identity. 11There
is always been a dual views from the view of society that is when it receives the new coming
migrants incorporate the existing factors to be incorporated within them which could meet their
desires and accommodate them within the structure. In another side the person who already
becomes the receivers which would make migrants to see that they lack in their skills to incorporate
the culture which already exist and thus make it legal and secured for their existence. Thus the
above factors become a common phenomenon which is been encountered by everyone and not
with an identity. 12The common fear for the future of national identity becomes a threat in receiving
the migrants into the country. United States of America has set an example where we could see
that American identity has never been a fixed being. The struggle of African-Americans, first as a

7
K.S.Nair, Ethnicity and Urbanization (Delhi: Ajantha Publication,1978),48.
8
Kenneth Rivett, eds., Immigration: Control or Colour Bar?, The Background To White Australia And A Proposal
For Change (London and New York: Cambridge University Press,1962),87.
9
Elizabeth G.Ferris, Beyond Borders, Refugees, Migrants And Human Rights In The Post-Cold War Era (Geneva:
WCC Publications,1993),XII
10
Laura Maria Agustin, Sex At The Margins, Migration, Labour Markets and the Rescue Industry (London & New
York: Zed Books,2007),18.
11
Laura Maria Agustin.,10
12
Laura Maria Agustin.,10
slave and later treated as an untouchable minority.13European continents are also not an exception
from this fear of national identity. A European country opposes to welcome an outsider to be as a
part of member and consider that such acceptance could be the threat for their culture. So they take
measures by restricting and consider that as a measure to conserve and protect their own national
identity from an outside influence through immigration.14Cultural identity could also be
considered as a sub identity with the national identity. Cultural identity primarily holds language
and region as a core for the sense of immigration.15 I would like to bring two major conception
which is been argued in relation with the metaphor of melting point with regard to immigration.
Firstly, history contradicts with the belief which already exists along with some culture and
linguistic core over a long period of time. Secondly, the country which host immigrant wouldnt
be neutral in his choice that is because the minority who enter into and try to fix into the majority
culture. In this case the results could be unpredicted and open ended always .This developments
could be considered as enrichment for ones national identity rather to be treated as a threat for a
national identity.16 This fear of national identity has also includes the fear of political and social
conflicts which really predicted to be threaten in relation to over population. Where there is a
common fear among every individual national that the increase in host populations would also
challenge to the government in future especially with regard to the national identity. 17 If we think
on the other side, if there is no nation-state system there is no issue related to the boarders,
migrants and refugees. But the nation-state territory has determined the identity based on the
boarders and territory identity. 18

Socio-Economic Policy:

There always been a wider gap between the elite and the poor group in the form of immigration.
Transnational migrants who get transferred from one international branch to another international
branch can get their citizenship by paying money. This is the result of global economy combination
has affected the economic system very much and paved a way to create a gap between rich and

13
M.Daniel Carroll R .,48
14
Laura Maria Agustin.,12
15
K.S.Nair, Ethnicity and Urbanization.,76
16
M.Daniel Carroll R .,48
17
Elizabeth G.Ferris.,XII
18
Elizabeth G.Ferris.,3
poor countries and thus people like to migrate in order to come out of their poverty.19 Many migrant
workers who cross their boarders dont been recognized even though they are professionally
qualified as teachers, doctors and nurses end up as taxi drivers, Hotel receptionist and maids. This
is actually because of the fear that the own citizens have that the migrants will be a threat to their
own country employment.20 Europe is one among the country when people enter as tourists and
seek for job they restrict them from earning money though they lack in having the visa for their
work permit.21One cant say that migrant workers are not included into global economy which
takes into consideration not as wanted but needed as cheap labour.22 Many corporate companies
promote migration due to the limited political and economic powers. Due to the bad economic
policy and raise in debt many countries exports labors from their one country to another country.
Among that Women are been considered as a commodities and are being exploited as migrants to
another country because of their poverty life in their own country. When they migrate with illegal
documents and thats where they are been treated as bondage and slavery and the worst thing is
many women are being pushed into prostitution.23 The representation of women in informal
economies worldwide has gradually raise as small scale vendors, exports zones, caring job and
most painful is when they are pushed into prostitution.24 This is basically because woman losing
their jobs in their own country has raised the level of women to choose their jobs in abroad and
women are considered to be the least demanding force because of the conventional reasons like
they dont demand more money, tolerance, better performance and low expectations etc.25The
Political Economy of Marriage Transactions has also become a core issue in the role of socio-
economic policy in immigration. Indian dowry system has also become a raising threat not only
as a transnational marriage migration but also in promotion of a global labour force.26One of the
scholars Xiang in his concerns towards gender relation he mentions that these type of gender
relations of marriage and migration really affects the global capital. 27 Gender bias has become a
great threat in which women are being very much affected and become a prey for country socio-

19
Obgu U.Kalu, Peter Vethanayagamony and Edmund Kee-Fook Chia,eds.,.,73
20
Laura Maria Agustin.,20
21
Laura Maria Agustin.,20
22
Obgu U.Kalu, Peter Vethanayagamony and Edmund Kee-Fook Chia,eds.,74
23
Obgu U.Kalu, Peter Vethanayagamony and Edmund Kee-Fook Chia,eds.,73
24
Laura Maria Agustin.,24
25
Laura Maria Agustin.,25
26
Rajni Palriwala and Patricia Uberoi,eds., Marriage,Migration and Gender (New Delhi:SAGE
Publication,2008),38
27
Rajni Palriwala and Patricia Uberoi,eds.,39
economic development. 28Mirjana Morokvasic would says that women are not been considered in
a prestigious role rather their role is always at a secondary level during their paid
employment.29Pierette Hondagneu-Sotelo concern about the gender issue which is not been
brought in mainstream migration circles. I would like to quote Nicola Piper suggestions on gender
and migration concept which needs to be integrated into a large scale socio-economic and cultural
context of men-women relations and women-to-women.30I would also like to bring the statistics
of World Bank that money sent to migrant worldwide in 2005 is estimated as U.S. $232 billion
even exceeding the development aid which is been given to the poor countries.31 There is been a
mild process in which migrants are been recognized by their own country once when their
contribution is highly applauded and when they demand for their legal rights and their
identification.32Thus we could see how particular national identity gets the benefit of dove in its
socio-economic policy where the dignity of female is been corrupted.

Cross Border relation-Looking beyond the border:

How far is it possible to identify human beyond the border and nationality? There are three
essential components which could be proposed for the need of uprooted people to fit into
international system. Firstly looking into the definitions which could identify people into the
international community by seeking the help from both governmental agencies, NGOs, churches
to look into the responsibility that they have towards them. Secondly, facilitating international
conventions, national legislations, norms and expectation and orientations which should stretch
its support in taking the responsibility in integrating for international community. Thirdly, both
the national and international governments and agencies should make sure that all these norms and
laws are being implemented and followed.33 This could be a great challenge because its deals with
diversity and it challenges both host country and migrants from the third-world countries. Gregg
Easterbrook in his article Religion in America: The New Ecumenicalism, states that United
States of America have recognized the spiritual diversity particularly through non-European
Immigration. Freedom in practice of religion and its expression with Asian and African immigrants

28
Laura Maria Agustin.,26
29
Laura Maria Agustin.,26
30
Laura Maria Agustin.,26
31
Obgu U.Kalu, Peter Vethanayagamony and Edmund Kee-Fook Chia,eds.,74
32
Obgu U.Kalu, Peter Vethanayagamony and Edmund Kee-Fook Chia,eds.,75
33
Elizabeth G.Ferris.,2
dont give up their religions. They build up their own places for them to worship like a Hindu
temple, a Sikh gurdwara, a Mormon temple and several mosques with in a very short distance from
their home.34 When human are being considered as outside which led to dehumanizing poverty as
migrants returning in coffins and sometimes they are being buried on the dessert without any sign
outside due to the limitation of ones cultural and religious identity. Even the churches at large
have failed to recognize its mission to respond on this issue.35 In America Hispanic migrants
which cant be neglected when it comes to the question of national identity because US takes a
major part in global economy in which all the financial realities are somehow inter
connected.36Hispanic denominational churches stand for its own multi-cultural counterparts in
involving to seek jobs for those who are in need and assist them in legal matters.37 Even though it
has its own divers in its beliefs and activities one cant neglect that the majority of Christian culture
has its own distinctive flavor. The life with God should be primarily focused in churches .This
should make us to understand that every immigrant should be treated with all respect and dignity
as brothers and sisters in Christ.38Every border should be turned into spaces and I would like to
quote the articulation of mission theology of how home should be considered, home not as a place
but a movement, a quality of relationship, a state where people seek to be their own, and [to be]
increasingly responsible for the world.39 Now lets look into the biblical perspective.

Theological perspective and Reflection

Each one of us looks at the world in different ways according to our own perceptions. Every one
of us has a particular set of lenses through which we interpret the reality that surrounds us and our
identity and role in that context. These lenses are calibrated according to our background and
experiences. But for the Christian, the Bible can serve as a different and fresh set of lenses. Bible
has to say about matters related to immigration. In both Old and New Testaments talk about
immigration and the laws related to it and how one needs to respond to this immigration and the
problems related to it.

34
Obgu U.Kalu, Peter Vethanayagamony and Edmund Kee-Fook Chia,eds.,77.
35
Obgu U.Kalu, Peter Vethanayagamony and Edmund Kee-Fook Chia,eds.,79.
36
M.Daniel Carroll R .,56
37
M.Daniel Carroll R .,58
38
M.Daniel Carroll R .,59
39
Obgu U.Kalu, Peter Vethanayagamony and Edmund Kee-Fook Chia,eds.,80.
Old Testament and immigration

In the Old Testament the immigration discussions are through its accounts of the many people of
God who moved across borders. These movements were sometimes voluntary and sometimes it
was forced one. Indeed this movement includes individuals, families, or large groups. Immigration
is not only meaning that to move from one place to another but also the settling down and the life
in the new place. The Hebrew Bible describes the Israelites immigrant life experiences40.

According to Danesi, there are two words for stranger in the Old Testament: Nolchrt (2Sam.15:19-
20), the passing stranger or wanderer whom it was impossible to assimilate, and the ger or resident
stranger. The passing strangers have the right to hospitality but they are not allowed to enter the
temple or to offer sacrifice. The word ger carries with it the conception of a people under attack
who have been driven out of their land by famine or war 41. The patriarchs Abraham, Issac and
Jacob moved to different lands due to famine . Indeed two solitary women (Naomi and Ruth) one
an Israelite , the other a foreign dependent, related by marriage but Naomi the immigrant has come
home ; Ruth, who had married a foreigner, has become the immigrant in a strange land. These
women were struggled for their livelihood. However in the case of Joseph and Daniel they are
forced to be immigrant to foreign land due to various causes. The Biblical texts also mentions the
removal or the flight of many others , but often times these people are not named in the biblical
accounts. They are the masses who are the helpless victims of the cruelties of war and the material
want that comes in its aftermath42.

The Old Testament laws give protection to the sojourners. It is interesting to observe that the
responsibility to take care of the sojourner in Israel was carried out many levels, through families,
religious centers and other local initiatives. This was necessitated because of the nature of the
ancient context. However the law assumes that there is movement on the part of the sojourner
toward the host culture : learning its ways and its language, and respecting its laws and taboos43.
Thus the immigrants are forced to accommodate the culture of the foreign land.

40
M.Daniel Carroll R .,71.
41
Elizabeth G.Ferris.,xxix.
42
M.Daniel Carroll R .,72-85.
43
M.Daniel Carroll R .,110-111.
New Testament and Immigration

Jesus is also a refugee in this world because he left His heavenly home . He was in Egypt to repeat
the sojourning of His people ( Mathew 2:3-23) and in the desert to be tempted in the wilderness.
In this world He has no place to lay His head (Mathew 8:20) ; He went into exile abroad (Mark
7:24) and finally expelled from this world when He was crucified. During His lifetime He lived as
a guest counting on the hospitality of kind people and from His folowes He expected the same44.

The New Testament contains many exhortations to be kind to strangers . Romans 12:13 reads:
Pursue the love of strangers. In 1 Peter 4:9 hospitality is prescribed as a duty toward fellow
members of the church in times of persecution. One of the prerequisites of holding an office in the
early church was the practice of hospitality (1Tim. 3:2 ; 5:10 ). Thus , as a rule, kindness to
strangers was an attitude shown to fellow believers, but not exclusively so. Agape or Christian
love is the main motivation for kindness to the stranger. Hospitality must be practiced without
grudge and without hope for reward. Jesus parable of the Good Samaritan says that the love should
not be confined to fellow members rather it is an inclusive one. The love of strangers in the New
Testament is based on the love of God, who loved us while we were yet strangers to God45.

In conclusion the Bible says to accept the strangers and take care of the needs of the immigrants
without keeping any barriers. All are created in the image of God and the responsibility of each
human being is to help others in their needs. The New and Old Testaments clearly says how one
should respond to the immigrants. Both says to love and show hospitality towards the immigrants.

Bibliography:

44
Migration in Biblical Perspective, Oikumene A Repor of a World Conference on Problems of International
Migration and the Responsibility of the Churches (June 11-16,1961) 30.
45
Ibid.,35-36.
Kalu,Obgu U,Peter Vethanayagamony and Edmund Kee-Fook Chia, eds. Mission after
Christendom (Louisville: Westminister John Knox Press,2010.

Carroll R, M. Daniel, Christians at the Border. Immigration, the Church, and the Bible (Michigan:
Baker Academic, 2008.

Nair, K.S. Ethnicity and Urbanization. Delhi: Ajantha Publication, 1978

Rivett, Kenneth, eds. Immigration: Control or Colour Bar?, The Background To White Australia
And A Proposal For Change. London and New York: Cambridge University Press,1962.

Ferris, Elizabeth G., Beyond Borders, Refugees, Migrants and Human Rights in the Post-Cold War
Era. Geneva: WCC Publications, 1993.

Agustin, Laura Maria. Sex at the Margins, Migration, Labour Markets and the Rescue Industry.
London & New York: Zed Books, 2007.

Palriwala ,Rajni and Patricia Uberoi,eds. Marriage,Migration and Gender. New Delhi: SAGE
Publication,2008.