STUDY/ACTION PROJECT ON REFUGEES
Since the beginning of time, people have had a compelling desire to conquer. Today this still takes place, especially in the Third World, and it ultimately has left approximately 14 million displaced persons, known as refugees. In February, 1979 there were 250,000 refugees in Sudan, 500,000 in Somalia, 35,000 in Brazil, 338,00 (sic) in Southeast Asia. In Africa alone, half of the refugees are children who, for the most part, do not have access to basic needs such as nominal health services, schools and clean water. This is inexcusable, especially since we just ended the International Year of the Child and are beginning the International Decade for Women.
Since 1979, the United States has admitted 14,000 Indochinese refugees per month. Most recently, an unknown number of Cubans have entered and are entering this country. In early 1980, Congress enacted a new law, redefining who a “refugee” is; this law closely follows the definition of the United Nations:
The term “refugee” means (A) any person who is outside of any country of his nationality, or, in the case of a person having no nationality, is outside any country in which he last habitually resided, and who is unable or unwilling to return to and is unable or unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion, or (B) any person who has been displaced by military or civil disturbances or uprooted because of arbitrary detention or the threat of persecution, and who is unable to return to his usual place of abode.
This law opens the door for new possibilities; for example, an African program is in the planning stage and is expected to begin shortly.
This study/action project is intended to involve campus ministries and individuals in the resettlement program. It will also provide background information on the situation refugee camps (sic), case studies of those who have arrived in the United States, and give specific details on how local groups can sponsor a refugee through Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (LIRS).
Goals of the Project
1. To inform ourselves of up-to-date refugee situations and the mechanisms sustaining it.
2. To direct the efforts of local groups in actually helping refugees who have been accepted in the U.S. parole program.
3. To enable individuals and local groups to assist in some way in helping these people to function and be accepted into American life.
Implementation
1. Through the use of study document, as mandated by Resolution 79-5, Resolution on Refugees, LSM-USA.
2. Through the work of coordinators, with the cooperation of LIRS, by
a. providing information to groups on how to become involved with refugee resettlement, and
b. providing resources for questions that arise (i.e., English as a Second Language clinics, etc.).
Time Frame
1. 11th National Assembly: presentation of paper mandated by Resolution 79-5.
2. September 1980: preliminary project information, information gathering on the local level.
3. November 1980: project implementation through packet mailing and local group involvement.
4. Continuation of this project dependent on 1981 evaluation.
Cost
$400 for xeroxing and mailing (a grant will be explored as well).
Responsibility
Mark Knell John Winter
New York City LSM Lutheran Students of Rhode Island
103 Second Avenue #1B c/o Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
New York, New York 10003 15 Hayes Street
(New School for Social Research) Providence, Rhode Island 02908
Contributors
Amy Kaufman, Victor Naglund, Paul Nelson, Joanne Rindfleisch
Resources
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
American Council of Voluntary Agency Foreign Services
Evaluation
Mail during June 1981 and 1982 to be presented at the 1981 and 1982 Assemblies.