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
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.

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 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.

6 Obgu U.Kalu, Peter Vethanayagamony and Edmund Kee-Fook Chia,eds.,71

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.

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 AfricanAmericans, first as a 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
11 Laura Maria Agustin.,10
12 Laura Maria Agustin.,10
13 M.Daniel Carroll R .,48
14 Laura Maria Agustin.,12
15 K.S.Nair, Ethnicity and Urbanization.,76

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 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
16 M.Daniel Carroll R .,48
17 Elizabeth G.Ferris.,XII
18 Elizabeth G.Ferris.,3
19 Obgu U.Kalu, Peter Vethanayagamony and Edmund Kee-Fook Chia,eds.,.,73
20 Laura Maria Agustin.,20
21 Laura Maria Agustin.,20

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-economic
development.

28

Mirjana Morokvasic would says that women are not been considered in a

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
28 Laura Maria Agustin.,26

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.
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
33Elizabeth G.Ferris.,2

Gregg Easterbrook in his article Religion in America: The New Ecumenicalism, states that
United States of America have recognized the spiritual diversity particularly through nonEuropean Immigration. Freedom in practice of religion and its expression with Asian and African
immigrants 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.
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.

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.
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
40 M.Daniel Carroll R .,71.
41 Elizabeth G.Ferris.,xxix.

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.
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
42 M.Daniel Carroll R .,72-85.
43 M.Daniel Carroll R .,110-111.
44 Migration in Biblical Perspective, Oikumene A Repor of a World Conference on
Problems of International Migration and the Responsibility of the Churches (June 1116,1961) 30.

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:
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.

45 Ibid.,35-36.