Inextricably Linked: Faith, Religion, and Migration

Migration has occurred since biblical times and is not a new phenomenon. People migrate for a multitude of reasons. One of these reasons is for religious persecution which is a protected ground under the refugee convention and in U.S. asylum laws. 

Today there are an estimated 281 million people who are international migrants or people that have left their home country either by choice or necessity. “The U.S. is home to some 50.6 million immigrants, making it the world’s top destination country for international migrants.

According to the Pew Research Center: 

“Christians made up an estimated 47% of all people living outside their country of birth as of 2020, the latest year for which global figures are available.”

“Roughly seven-in-ten international migrants in North America are Christian and 14% are religiously unaffiliated. Muslims (8%), Hindus (5%), Buddhists (3%), people of “other religions” (2%) and Jews (1%) make up smaller shares. 

Compared with the overall U.S. population – in which 70% of people have a religious affiliation and 30% do not – international migrants are more likely to claim a religious affiliation and less likely to be religiously unaffiliated.”

In my personal experience with Courts & Ports, when visiting shelters in the Rio Grande Valley and in makeshift encampments in Matamoros, I have witnessed immigrant families ask for prayers or have talked to many who end the conversation with: “Dios la bendiga” (God bless you) or “gracias a Dios” (thank God).

I have also heard many talk about their migration journey and attribute that they have made it this far thanks to God. It is clear that their faith is strong despite the struggles and obstacles that they still face which is beyond admirable. Faith, religion, and migration are inextricably linked.