Common Questions

What’s the difference between a refugee, asylum seeker, immigrant, migrant?

Refugee: Someone who has been forced to flee his or her country because of a well-founded fear of persecution on account of their nationality, race, religion, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.

Asylum seeker: Someone who has fled his or her home country and, upon arrival in the country where they hope to be allowed to stay, professes a fear of persecution in their country of origin on account of specific factors such as their nationality, race, religion, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion — but whose refugee status hasn’t been legally adjudicated yet.

Immigrant: Someone who leaves his or her home country and moves to a foreign country with the intention of settling there.

Migrant: Someone who is moving from place to place (either within his or her country or across borders).

Refugees, asylum seekers, immigrants, and migrants are people made in the image of God. Regardless of their nationality or citizenship, they should be treated with love and care, affirming the dignity bestowed upon them by their Creator.

Ok, but what is the specific difference between a refugee and an asylum seeker?

In our U.S. context, a refugee is someone who has demonstrated before reaching the United States that he or she left home because of a credible fear of persecution on account of his or her nationality, race, religion, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. Historically, the U.S. has enjoyed bipartisan support for a robust refugee resettlement program. That said, our government accepts only a fraction of the tens of millions of refugees globally. The vetting of those refugees that come here to be resettled happens while the individual or family is still outside of the United States.

An asylum seeker is someone who has already made their way to U.S. soil, and once here, claims that they meet the definition of a refugee. Once someone makes an asylum claim, they have the right under U.S. law to have their case considered by the U.S. government, which is responsible for determining if they have the evidence necessary to prove their eligibility for protection. 

Generally, the U.S. government will decide on a case-by-case basis whether to hold the person in immigration detention while their case is decided, or whether to allow them to stay with a ‘sponsor’, such as a family member, friend or even a church that is in the U.S., as they await their court date. In recent years, however, a series of policy changes have restricted some individuals from seeking asylum.

Aliens. Illegals. Undocumented immigrants. What language is best to use and why does it matter?

What do you usually think of when you hear the word “alien?” Probably extraterrestrials! The word alien can be found in the dictionary, in U.S. laws, and even in some older translations of the Bible. In those cases, it simply means a person born in another country. But, since many of us also think of a cartoon martian, applying this word to fellow human beings can distract us from the reality that immigrants are humans made in God’s image, and are of the same value and worth as any other human being. This isn’t about being “politically correct,” but about using language that affirms the dignity and sanctity of fellow image-bearers!

If someone enters the U.S. without inspection or documentation, overstays a temporary visa, or violates the terms of a visa, they may be considered unlawfully present in the country. Someone’s immigration status may not be lawful, but that doesn’t define their personhood. (You might have been speeding illegally in your neighborhood, but it doesn’t mean you, as a person, are illegal). Words like “undocumented” or “unauthorized” allow for an accurate description of someone’s immigration status without demoralizing or dehumanizing.

As Christians, we are called to show mercy, love our neighbors as ourselves, and follow Jesus’ example of dignifying those who others might call “unworthy” or “outsiders”. If we have better language to acknowledge our neighbors (immigrant or otherwise) why wouldn’t we seek to use these more dignifying terms?

The Bible actually has a lot to say about immigration. In fact, the Hebrew word for immigrant (ger) is mentioned 92 times in the Old Testament! Nearly every single major biblical character was an immigrant. Many would even meet the criteria for refugees and asylum seekers that we use today. When we read from Genesis to Revelation, we see how God uses migration for his missional purposes. So many of our biblical heroes and heroines were migrants in foreign lands. So, while it’s true that the Bible doesn’t specifically mention U.S. immigration policy, it does have a lot to say about immigrants, sojourners, strangers, and migrants in our midst. We are to treat them as if they were native born (Leviticus 19:33-35). Christians are famously instructed in the New Testament to love our neighbors as ourselves, and Jesus uses the parable of the Good Samaritan to tell us that everyone makes the “neighbor” list (Luke 10:25-37). 

Matthew 25 is a formative Scripture for our community. Take a couple of minutes to be encouraged by some incredible women of God reading it aloud.

If you’ve never made these connections in Scripture before, you are not alone! Please be assured that we aren’t re-interpreting Scripture. We’re just using fresh eyes to home in on these verses, passages, and stories about the “stranger.” The word of God is our highest authority, and in His word, He has a lot to say about immigrants and how we treat them. We have several free Bible studies that can help guide your learning about what the Bible has to say in this arena.

Of course, immigration is also a political issue, and Christians will not always agree about what the best policy or law is. One thing we should all agree about? Christians are called to practice biblical hospitality towards refugees and immigrants.To read more about what non-partisan immigration solutions could look like, we recommend following along with our friends at the Evangelical Immigration Table. 

How can someone legally and permanently move to the United States?

There are four primary ways that a person can gain Lawful Permanent Residency in the United States. (You might also hear this referred to as “getting a green card.”) An easy way to think about these avenues are blood, sweat, tears, and luck. This infographic helps represent these pathways.

• BLOOD (family-based): Immigrants with a close family member who is a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident can apply. Currently, this process can take more than 20 years.
• SWEAT (employment-based): Some employers can sponsor immigrants. To qualify, you almost always need an advanced degree or an extraordinary ability that allows an employer to legally sponsor you. Employers usually need to demonstrate that a U.S. citizen is not available to do this job. In total, there are usually around 144,000 work visas each year for noncitizens wanting to live here permanently. (There are some additional temporary visas available for agricultural guest workers, but those only account for about 10% of agricultural workers and don’t apply to year-round sectors like dairy farms. Those also don’t include a pathway to citizenship.)
• TEARS (refugees or asylees): A small percentage of those coming to the U.S. have proven that they fled persecution because of race, religion, national origin, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. Those fleeing poverty, natural disasters, or environmental degradation are not eligible for refugee or asylee status. The President sets a yearly cap for how many refugees can be resettled each year.
• LUCK (the Diversity Visa Lottery): This lottery randomly selects applicants from “under-represented” countries, who do not have as many nationals living in the US. Individuals from “over-represented” countries like Mexico, the Philippines, South Korea, and China are not eligible to apply. Each year, 50,000 visas are granted through this program. (In 2021, there were 11.8 million lottery entries.)

Lawful Permanent Residency always entails strict vetting, no matter which pathway someone enters through.

We have a legal immigration system. Why don’t people just get in line?

A lot of people hoping to find work, safety, or family reunification in the U.S. do not fit into any of the current categories allowed for in our current immigration policy and therefore have no pathway to gain Lawful Permanent Residency. If you need to provide for your family and don’t fit into one of the above categories, there is no “line” to wait in. For example, while American dairy farmers are desperate for workers and many would love to come to the U.S. to work in that industry, there are basically no legal pathways to immigrate for that job. 

The four main permanent immigration avenues mentioned in the previous question can take decades. They haven’t been updated to meet the needs of the U.S. economy, global diplomacy, national security, or humanitarian realities in decades.

So, should people just stay in their home country? For many, this isn’t an option. They could be fleeing life and death situations. They may be persecuted, exploited, or simply unable to put food on their tables. They may be facing pressure to participate in criminal activities, but are unwilling to do so. Most immigrants who leave home do so out of love, to provide a better life for themselves or for their families. Leaving behind family, community, language, and culture is a massive undertaking that so many wish they could have avoided. Scripture tells us that we are obligated to provide for our families! Many immigrants are trying to fulfill that biblical mandate (and human need) by moving somewhere with better job opportunities. 

For families that are already living here in the U.S. without status, or with mixed-status (where family members have different statuses from one another), there is often no legal way for them to pay restitution, reconcile, or legalize their status. Most immigrants living without documentation endure the constant fear of deportation and would love to be able to present themselves for reconciliation with the law. By and large, people want to become right with the law and be able to participate in their communities without fear of deportation.

So do you support illegal immigration? Do you want open borders?

No! At Women of Welcome, we do not support illegal immigration or open borders. 

Immigration is complicated. Many people exist in limbo having mixed-status families, where family members have different legal statuses from one another (maybe the father and kids are U.S. citizens, but the mother is not). Many don’t qualify for the current pathways to Lawful Permanent Residency. It’s also important to note that the needs of our economy have vastly changed since the last major reforms that happened decades ago. Families used to be able to travel back and forth across the border for work, but now have to make the hard choice of staying in the U.S. without authorization and working to provide for their families, or returning home to scarce economic opportunities and exploitation. Many are living apart from their families for the sake of survival. When Congress fails to update our immigration laws to meet the needs of the 21st century, we all suffer.

We join with the Evangelical Immigration Table in calling for an immigration system that would:

• Protect the rule of law
• Guarantee secure national borders
• Ensure fairness to taxpayers
• Respect the God-given dignity of every person
• Establish a path towards legal status and/or citizenship for those who qualify and wish to become permanent residents

We also believe that it’s important for someone who has previously broken immigration law to be able to make restitution and return to good standing. Undocumented immigrants desire an opportunity to reconcile with the law. Currently, there is no path forward for them to adjust their status legally and remain in the country in the vast majority of cases (though we always encourage anyone in this situation to consult with an experienced immigration attorney or a Department of Justice-recognized legal service provider like World Relief).

What about Romans 13, which says we should obey the laws of the land?

The rule of law is very important. The law should never be disregarded flippantly.

Our Christian brothers and sisters choosing to come to the United States without authorization are often dealing with the tension of two different biblical mandates. Romans 13 tells Christians to submit to the governing authorities, and 1 Timothy 5:8 mandates believers to provide for and protect their families. There is a tension between our Christian mandate to honor the law of the state with our allegiance to God’s law. Ultimately, it’s important to honor and respect our authorities and the rule of law, but it is also our obligation to ensure laws are just. 

We address Romans 13 in two of our Bible studies. We recommend diving into those studies, as well as watching this excellent video that Dr. Russell Moore created with us on the topic.

How do we respond, though, to a neighbor who may have broken the laws of our land? Our Christian call to offer love to the stranger is never tied to that person’s sinlessness. We keep doing what Scripture asks of us: welcoming the stranger and practicing hospitality. We would love to see our immigration laws updated so that those who have previously broken the law are able to make restitution and return to good standing, but currently no such pathway exists.

How are immigrants and refugees vetted?

The simple answer: thoroughly. We fully affirm and support these important efforts to ensure that no one who seeks to do harm is able to enter the United States. It’s important for the government to know who is coming in and out of the country. 

There are several vetting processes, and each one depends on which immigration avenue someone comes through. Fortunately, while the specific processes vary depending on which path an individual enters through, all visitors and immigrants who are lawfully admitted to the United States undergo a vetting process. Anyone lawfully entering the U.S. (including asylum seekers at the southern border) is first subjected to background checks to ensure they are not ineligible for entry or a known threat to public safety.

The small percentage of the world’s refugees that the U.S. selects to resettle here (less than 1%) are subjected to the most thorough vetting process of any immigrant or visitor. The process can take years and is coordinated between the U.S. Departments of Homeland Security, State, and Defense, as well as the National Counterterrorism Center and the FBI. Refugees go through multiple in-person interviews, biographic and biometric background checks, and a health screening before being allowed to enter the US. How do we know this system works? We have data. Since the Refugee Act was passed in 1980, no American lives have ever been lost in a terrorist attack perpetrated by someone who came through the U.S. refugee resettlement program. The United States has a strong history of being both pro-security and pro-compassion.

What benefits do immigrants and refugees qualify for?

Undocumented immigrants cannot receive most federal means-tested public benefits, such as SNAP (food stamps), regular Medicaid, and Supplemental Security Income. 

While a few states and localities provide some support for undocumented immigrants, such as access to health insurance programs for children, most do not. Most people cannot receive federal benefits for many years after coming to the U.S.

There are a few exceptions for refugees, asylees (those who have been granted asylum), and a few other categories. Asylees and refugees are sometimes eligible for cash and medical assistance for a limited time, though their eligibility may vary depending upon their state and on their income levels. They can also apply for social services like Medicaid and SNAP. A study of resettled refugees found that the costs associated with their presence were greater than their fiscal contributions for the first several years they were in the US. However, twenty years after arrival, the average refugee adult had contributed $21,000 more in taxes than the total cost of any government spending on their behalf.

Who qualifies for asylum in the U.S.?

Under U.S. law, anyone who reaches United States soil has the right to request asylum, but that does not mean all will qualify. You have a right to request asylum whether you entered at a legal port of entry, or in between ports of entry. An asylum seeker must demonstrate that he or she has a well-founded fear of persecution because of their race, religion, political opinion, nationality, or membership in a particular social group. The burden of proof that their fear is indeed well-founded is on the individual or family requesting asylum. Unfortunately, some people who do meet these categories simply don’t have documentation to establish their case.

Fleeing poverty or violence not associated with one of the above categories does not make you eligible for asylum, and someone who tried to apply for those reasons would not be allowed to stay in the United States. (There are some rare, non-asylum related exceptions for some victims of torture.)

How does someone apply for asylum?

The asylum process is long and complicated, and looks different depending on where you apply. Here’s a helpful visual.

• Are they already in the U.S.? In general, if a person has been in the U.S. for less than a year, they can submit an affirmative application for asylum. These asylum seekers either came to the U.S. legally or haven’t yet had any contact with immigration officials. They will begin an application with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and start the asylum process.
• Did they arrive by land? When the border is functioning normally, an individual can tell a government official that they would like to request asylum, which begins the application process. They will be temporarily detained and subjected to a “credible fear” interview. This is a preliminary interview to determine if they have a reasonable chance of winning their asylum case. If they pass that interview, they will either be held in a detention facility until their asylum hearing – or they may be released to a sponsor, which could be a friend, family member, or even a church, sometimes with a smartphone-based tracking app or GPS ankle bracelet to ensure they appear on their court date. Children who travel to the U.S. without their parents are only legally supposed to be held in border processing facilities for up to 72 hours before moving into the care of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and ultimately, for most children, to a sponsor relative already in the US. More than 80% of unaccompanied minors have family here. Once the asylum-seeker goes to court, the government will decide if they have demonstrated their eligibility for asylum, and if so, the person is allowed to stay. If not, these individuals are generally placed into removal proceedings for deportation.
• Did they arrive by air? In unusual cases, someone may request asylum at the airport, though this is not typical. If they did, the process would typically be similar to a land arrival.Note: In January 2023, the government also began requiring Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans to secure a US-based sponsor and commercial air travel before coming to the United States.

  There are many other asylum restrictions being considered currently. We will try to keep this page current, but this is an ever-evolving situation.

I’ve heard people are exploiting the asylum application process. Is that true?

Not every individual who seeks asylum will end up qualifying. That doesn’t mean their cases were fraudulent or that they were lying, though! Many simply don’t understand the requirements for asylum – that it is offered only to those with a well-founded fear of persecution for particular reasons under the law (race, religion, political opinion, membership in a particular social group, or nationality). Others may truly have a genuine fear of persecution for qualifying reasons, but they don’t have documentary evidence of their situation. We also see individual government administrations interpret what qualifies as a “social group” differently. So, sometimes those with a well-founded fear of persecution from non-state actors (think cartels) or abusers would qualify, and in other administrations, they wouldn’t. 

Our government should not tolerate fraud, but we also shouldn’t use concerns about fraud to stop those with legitimate asylum claims from finding safety. 

Our view at Women of Welcome is that not everyone who arrives in the United States should be able to stay, but everyone who arrives should receive the opportunity to present their case, ideally with competent legal counsel. Everyone – even those ultimately denied asylum – should be treated humanely in U.S. custody and throughout the process.

Do immigrants take away jobs from American workers?

Immigrants actually tend to flock to industries where there is a need for workers – and currently, the United States has a high need for workers! When the U.S. labor market has a need that American workers can’t or won’t fill, immigrants can move to fill in those jobs. 

When immigrants enter the United States workforce, it actually benefits the economy and raises the GDP! Not only do immigrant incomes rise, but American incomes rise, too. The Bush Institute explains that this “immigration surplus” amounts to an additional $36-73 billion dollars flowing to Americans each year. 

Even those who came under difficult humanitarian parole circumstances, like Afghans and Ukrainians, are also positive contributors to the economy!

Do undocumented immigrants pay taxes? Aren’t they just a drain on our system?

Immigrants with and without legal status pay taxes, and so contribute to Medicare and Social Security. Most economists believe they actually contribute more than they receive! Undocumented immigrants do not have access to most welfare benefits, and even lawful immigrants usually have to wait five years before they can apply for benefits. (An example of a benefit an undocumented person may be eligible for would be treatment in a hospital emergency room in a dire situation.)

It’s interesting to know that immigrants are less likely to use welfare benefits than native-born Americans are.

Do undocumented immigrants commit more crimes?

Crime is crime, no matter who commits it. Our legal system should seek justice for all victims. That said, most immigrants are not violent nor involved with gangs. So many of them have fled communities that have been destroyed by these kinds of activities and desire a community that respects law and order. 

Did you know immigrants are less likely to be incarcerated than native-born Americans? In Texas, for example, US-born citizens are twice as likely to be arrested for a violent crime, 2.5 times more likely to be arrested for drug crimes, and over 4 times more likely to be arrested for property crimes! Most immigrants come to the U.S. to pursue educational and economic opportunities, and have little to gain by committing crimes as the consequences can be much greater (deportation), affecting their future and the future of their families.

President Trump’s former Chief of Staff John Kelly said, “The vast majority of the people that move illegally into the United States are not bad people. They’re not criminals. They’re not MS-13.”

Are immigrants at the southern border responsible for the drug problem in the US?

The drug crisis in the United States is tragic. We mourn every life lost and every family affected on both sides of the US-Mexico border. For decades, many in the U.S. have blamed immigrants for this crisis, but it is unfortunately American citizens who are consuming, paying for, and demanding an increase in the supply of illegal opioids. In fact, 99% of illicit opioid consumers are U.S. citizens. Our consumption fuels this tragedy. When it comes to drug smuggling, U.S. citizens are ten times more likely than undocumented immigrants to be convicted of fentanyl trafficking. While some drug smuggling is done by noncitizens in between points of entry, most drug smuggling is done at legal ports of entry.

Only .02% of those arrested by Border Patrol for crossing the border illegally had any amount of fentanyl. You can read about this in even more detail over at the Cato Institute.

Why are immigrants coming in large caravans? Are they “invading” our border?

Just like Mary and Joseph traveling in a caravan to reach Jerusalem for Passover, many migrants today travel in caravans. Some do so to bring attention to their plight. Many travel this way because traveling with a large group of people provides safety on the journey, especially for vulnerable women and children. Caravans are also a safer option than paying someone to smuggle them into the US.

Migrants traveling in a caravan are openly presenting themselves at the border. It wouldn’t be easy to sneak in with such a large group! They are seeking to adhere to the asylum process set out under U.S. law as they travel to the border in hopes of protection. This is certainly preferable to being smuggled across the border or traveling alone through various dangerous regions. 

So many of us want to help relieve the suffering of and demonstrate love and care for immigrants in our communities. Check out our How to Help page for lots of ways to get involved! 

Why do we need immigration reform?

Our immigration system is broken. 

Those brought to the U.S. as children have no path to permanently stay in the United States. Farmers cannot find farmworkers, even though people around the world would love to fill those positions. Families are living in mixed-status families where one parent has legal status and another doesn’t. Our pathways to lawful permanent residency are limited. Border Patrol agents at the border are essentially having to act as both law enforcement and social workers for unaccompanied children. Our Afghan allies do not have permanent status. Those who do not have a legal pathway but have lived and contributed in the U.S. for years have very few avenues to make restitution and become right with the law. 

We join with the Evangelical Immigration Table in calling for an immigration system that would:

• Protect the rule of law
• Guarantee secure national borders
• Ensure fairness to taxpayers
• Respect the God-given dignity of every person
• Establish a path towards legal status and/or citizenship for those who qualify and wish to become permanent residents

Shouldn’t we just help people in their own countries?

It is incredibly important to help people in their home countries! When we take groups of women to the US-Mexico border, nearly every migrant we speak with tells us that they did not want to leave their home. Mothers have told us that they had no choice. This was the only way they could provide for and protect their children. What an excruciating choice! Like mothers everywhere, they will do anything to provide a better life for their children, no matter the obstacles or danger.

If this question is weighing on your heart, we had an excellent conversation with Jo Ann Van Engen, the co-founder of ASJ, an organization that does brave justice work in Honduras. We talk about how we can participate in creating stability, peace, and opportunity abroad so that people can stay home if they desire.

One of our founding partners at Women of Welcome is World Relief, the official humanitarian arm of the National Association of Evangelicals. They do significant work around the world to come alongside families and communities that need assistance in strengthening their support systems so families won’t have to flee their homes. We support these efforts to strengthen home countries while also working to welcome those who have had to flee in the meantime.

Why don’t people stay and try to fix their own governments?

So many people do! However, sometimes the risk of staying is too great. As Christians, we see these stories over and over in Scripture. The Israelites didn’t stay to fix the country that enslaved them, but rather followed Moses out of Egypt. Joseph didn’t stay in Bethlehem when Herod was killing all baby boys under the age of two, but took his wife and child and fled the city. Imagine leaving everything you’ve ever known, not because you wanted to, but because you felt you had no other choice in order to survive. For the vast majority of asylum seekers and refugees, leaving their home and community is an incredibly hard decision full of grief.

There are so many vulnerable people in need here in the U.S. Shouldn’t we help them first?

It is hard to see so much need around us and know where to start. As Christians, we should answer this question from a Kingdom-minded perspective. The Lord tells us how He intends the Body of Christ to operate in 1 Corinthians. The Body is designed to work differently and yet cohesively together in our various callings and passions. If your time and resources are spent helping Americans in need in your own community, that is wonderful and we’re cheering you on!

There is a common notion that in order to regain order and fairness in society, we have to pit one vulnerable population against each other. But every person is made in the image of God. We are each of equal importance to Him. This Kingdom perspective gives us the freedom to advocate for anyone we know who is in need. We highly encourage you to get involved in whatever work God is equipping you for, and to serve those whom you see in need. We cheer on the amazing organizations working to restore dignity, demonstrate love, and meet the tangible needs of different populations in the U.S. Here at Women of Welcome, we feel called to not only cheer you on, but also to use our voices to inspire Christ-like welcome to the vulnerable populations of immigrants and refugees. 

We are a community of Christian women who desire to understand and live out biblical hospitality and welcome toward immigrants and refugees.  A project founded through a partnership between World Relief and the National Immigration Forum, we exist to encourage, educate, and equip women in this complicated space of immigration. 

You can watch our mission video to learn more!

Who are World Relief and National Immigration Forum?

World Relief is the official humanitarian relief arm of the National Association of Evangelicals. 

The National Immigration Forum is a non-partisan policy organization that advocates for the value of immigrants and legal immigration to our nation. 

Do you have a specific political stance?

No, we are strictly non-partisan! While we encourage people to engage in public policy, we intentionally evaluate policies and presidential administrations from a non-partisan approach. We’ve been known to praise and criticize actions and inaction from both sides of the aisle. Our desire is to see vulnerable people treated humanely and advocate for their flourishing regardless of who is in office. 

We often engage in conversations about U.S. immigration policy, because policies affect people. In the past, we have spoken up against policies from both Republicans and Democrats, as well as praised progress made by both parties. We believe it will take bipartisan legislative solutions for the U.S. immigration system to uphold human dignity and support the interests of the American people.

We seek to provide resources and opportunities for Christian women to learn more about Scripture and immigration policy. We recommend reading the Evangelical Immigration Table’s principles calling for bipartisan immigration solutions.

What is Biblical hospitality?

The Greek word for hospitality is philoxenia, which means “the love of strangers.”

Our mission at Women of Welcome is to follow Christ’s example of love, invitation, and welcome, especially to those whom society has deemed unworthy. Jesus went looking for these forgotten people, intentionally bringing them back into relationship and community. For His glory, We seek to do the same.

Wait! I have another question!

Are you worried that immigrants may negatively change American culture? Wondering how immigration relates to race? Why do some people talk about immigration as a pro-life issue? What is DACA? Who are Dreamers? What does the life of Jesus show us about proximity? How do I enter into this difficult conversation? How do I talk to my elected officials about this?

We have answers to all of those questions and more in our Equipping Series! Get a free education about immigrants and refugees from subject matter experts, trusted authors, and faith leaders. 

We’re grateful to be on this journey with you.

Women of Welcome’s Principles

• We are called to treat and talk about immigrants and refugees with love and care as people made in the image of God.  
• We believe in creating a culture of welcome toward our immigrant and refugee neighbors, guided by our faith and biblical principles of hospitality and compassion.  
• Practicing compassion and hospitality does not mean we are advocates for illegal immigration or open border policies, rather we seek to advocate for the humane treatment of those coming to our country while amending our immigration policies to create more effective and safe ways for immigration to the U.S. 
• We believe in safe and secure borders, thorough vetting, and the dignified treatment of these vulnerable populations.
• We believe in cultivating spaces where women grow together to be encouraged, educated, and equipped to serve, advocate, and engage in respectful dialogue with their own communities and others as they seek to create more welcoming spaces for their immigrant and refugee neighbors.  
• We need bipartisan legislative solutions on immigration that uphold human dignity and support the interests of the American people. Our nation’s immigration laws should: 

1. Respect the rule of law.  
2. Protect the unity of the immediate family. 
3. Commit to safety and security on the border and in our communities. 
4. Show compassion to immigrants by allowing them an opportunity to earn lawful status and citizenship. 
5. Provide migrants the opportunity to lawfully contribute to our economy.