Spokane Blog

Since 2017, Venezuelans have been fleeing the country, escaping a combination of hyperinflation, lack of food and water, and government violence. In response to this large influx of over six million refugees all throughout South America, Colombia and Brazil have adopted unique measures. Instead of resisting immigration, they’ve supported refugees and welcomed them with open arms. What kind of measures have Brazil and Colombia adopted and what can we learn from them?

Brazil

In 2018, the Federal Government of Brazil initiated “Operation Welcome,” a voluntary relocation program to support refugees and migrants coming into Brazil. 

The basics of Operation Welcome

Operation Welcome rests upon three main ideas. First, the Brazilian government works to ensure efficient border management. As of 2023, there are approximately 800,000 Venezuelans who have entered Brazil. Operation Welcome provides refugees with proper reception, identification, and basic medical care. For support in managing the border, Brazil sought help from the international community, inviting the International Organization for Migration (IOM). IOM helps in verifying refugees’ and migrants’ identities and providing health checkups.

Second, Operation Welcome is concerned with welcoming refugees in Brazil’s border cities, as the name implies. Refugees are provided food, education, health and psychological care, and social protection. 

Finally, a key step in the operation is the economic opportunity it provides. IOM works with the Brazilian government to search for job vacancies and arrange for transportation to various other cities in Brazil, where they’re matched up with a new job. Refugees are also encouraged to work in Roraima and become self-sufficient.

Brazil also provides a “Passport for Education,” a kit consisting of bilingual education booklets with cultural information about Brazil and guides on how to enroll in Brazil’s public schools. Even during COVID-19, Brazil was able to adapt its procedures to continue to support Venezuelan refugees and migrants.

As of 2021, Operation Welcome had managed to find work, schooling, and opportunity for over 256,000 refugees, of which 87% are families. While not yet managing to address all migrants, Brazil has accounted for over 32% of Venezuelans entering Brazil, almost a third.

What we learn from Brazil’s refugee policy

Instead of creating large, unsustainable refugee camps, Brazil has preferred to integrate Venezuelans into the local region. Rather than refusing to grant identification and work permits to Venezuelans, Brazil gave them the right to seek economic opportunity quickly. Instead of confining Venezuelans to the border, Brazil let them fully integrate into the country. 

So, what is the key takeaway? Brazil didn’t resist Venezuelan immigration—they embraced it. Now, tens of thousands of Venezuelans have found new lives, are self-sufficient and independent, and contribute to the Brazilian economy. Brazil’s programs show firsthand how refugees are a valuable part of the community, and that if we embrace them, we can better address the displacement crisis.

Colombia

Colombia faces a more difficult-to-manage influx of refugees and migrants. It’s estimated that over 1.7 million Venezuelan migrants came to Colombia in 2017. However, just like Brazil, Colombia practiced a policy of integration.

Colombia invests in infrastructure that supports refugees and migrants.

Colombia had initially refused to build traditional refugee camps for fear of slowing down Venezuelans’ integration into the country. However, Maicao, the main region bordering Venezuela, eventually became overwhelmed, and the Colombian government was forced to call in UNHCR for support. Nevertheless, the camp in Maicao is far from a traditional refugee camp. In fact, its inhabitants are only allowed a temporary stay, typically for a few months, but are given all the tools necessary to stay in Colombia and find employment or move on to another country. Venezuelans are also encouraged to reunite and live with family members present in Colombia.

During this time, Colombia has worked to improve infrastructure in its border regions to support refugees. In 2019, it approved the “Second Fiscal Sustainability, Competitiveness, and Migration Development Policy Financing” (DPF) program. Its goal was to modernize government policies and extend the reach of Colombia’s National Employment Agency, allowing over 115,000 Venezuelans to access its services. It granted over 281,000 migrants a temporary stay status.

Colombia’s next project, “Improving Quality of Health Care Services and Efficiency in Colombia,” improved health infrastructure in border regions and enrolled over 200,000 Venezuelans in Colombia’s national healthcare programs.

Additionally, the “Colombia: Resilient and Inclusive Housing Project” improved housing infrastructure and access to housing for refugees and migrants.

Colombia helps refugees and migrants integrate

In 2021, Colombia extended temporary protected status for 10 years to over 1 million Venezuelans. Over half of the 1.7 million Venezuelan migrants in the country received access to social services and a pathway to a residency visa. This represents a major humanitarian act, especially since over half of these Venezuelans lack regular refugee status.

This move also gives Venezuelans the right to work in the Colombian economy. Up until that point, many Venezuelans were working in the informal economy, under the table. Overall, this move allowed Colombia to support the integration of Venezuelans and absorb the shock that this displacement represents.

The situation in Colombia shows the same positive benefits as in Brazil. Colombia’s policy of integration and support has allowed it to weather a much worse refugee crisis—Colombia faces almost a million more refugees and migrants than Brazil. However, these migrants have been able to find work and quickly resettle and contribute to the Colombian economy. When border regions became overwhelmed, Colombia invested money into these areas, not to further hamper border control, but to invest in the future and stability of migrants. Colombia has also embraced the displacement crisis with more positive results.

United States Policy and Title 42

Title 42 is a federal law that dates back to 1944. Back then, tuberculosis posed a major health threat to the country, and thus a law was passed to allow immigration authorities the right to deny or expel migrants that posed a health threat to the United States.

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Trump Administration invoked Title 42, expelling over 2.5 million migrants at the border in total. About half of all who were encountered at the southern border in the last year were expelled under Title 42. Therefore, Title 42 virtually shut down the United States’ entire asylum system.

However, Title 42 didn’t last forever. On May 11, 2023, Title 42 expired, and the Biden Administration had to figure out how to re-order the U.S. immigration system. In the months leading up to its expiration date, immigration authorities began to prepare for the resulting influx of migrants. Now that the border was accepting migrants again, many more would come.

The Biden Administration post-Title 42

In response, the Biden Administration announced in April 2023 the opening of new processing centers outside of the United States, organized by the IOM and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). The first two centers will open in Guatemala and Colombia, with others expected to follow. In short, these processing centers aim to quickly screen migrants and asylum claims in Central and South America instead of having them arrive at the U.S. border. This new plan works in conjunction with Canadian and Spanish immigration authorities, with both countries saying they would accept migrants processed at these centers. If migrants at the border are found to qualify for asylum, they will legally be flown into these countries.

However, this new plan also means stiffer penalties. The Biden Administration plans to process asylum seekers at the border in mere days with the goal of swift deportations if migrants don’t meet the necessary criteria. Those who are expelled from the U.S. would be unable to return to apply for asylum for five years. The Administration also said that it plans to crack down on asylum-seekers who pass through another country without first seeking protection there.

Supporting Refugees and Migrants Works

Brazil and Colombia welcomed migrants and gave them opportunities to integrate into their local economy. They gave migrants who didn’t have legal status papers, supported their enrollment in schools, helped them find work, and treated them like valued community members. There’s always something to be learned from other countries, and while Brazil and Colombia have different economies, governments, security measures and other mitigating factors, their approach to the global displacement crisis provides unique insight. What might we take away from their approaches?

As we work to welcome refugees and migrants into our community, please consider supporting World Relief and our work.

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Antoine Herrbach is a 2023 Summer Intern for World Relief. He is a Senior at Gonzaga University, studying Political Science, History, and Economics.

Destruction. And hopelessness. Those were the two realities Deb Russell faced everywhere she looked when she deployed to Turkey with Crisis Response International in March.

On February 6, 2023, an earthquake of magnitude 7.8 hit southeast Turkey near the Syrian border. After the initial earthquake, aftershocks numbering in the thousands continued to rock the region.

When Deb arrived in March, she found endless piles of rubble. “Just dust really.”

Formerly beautiful marble homes and structures hit by earthquakes from two different directions had crumbled, trapping thousands of people inside. The piles of rubble became burial grounds for innumerable decaying bodies, irretrievable by search-and-rescue teams.

The government had sprayed the piles to prevent the spread of disease and to keep down the smell. An impossible task really, and Deb, along with many of her team, came down with some type of eye or respiratory infection when they returned home.

Deb Russell, a trained EMT, is used to moving into uncomfortable places. Her international work started, amazingly, with 9/11. “That was my impetus to go. I wanted to be part of the solution. I have the skills. I’m trained for it, and I want to help people when they’re in crisis.”

Prior to the earthquakes in Turkey, she also went to Greece during the Syrian refugee crisis of 2011. She stood on the shore, helping people from boats, administering emergency aid to the elderly, to pregnant mothers, to children. Holding and hugging, she prayed the Holy Spirit would transfer from her heart to theirs.

“It was like the end-times church. Christians coming from all over the world to extend hope and prayer and the love of Jesus… To proselytize is against the law, so you sing in whispers. I love being in the Body of Christ; unapologetic, unbound, candle-burning at both ends and dispelling darkness with love.

“The Turkish people had lost all hope,” Deb said. Many of them had never known poverty before, but quite suddenly, they were left without anything. “They didn’t even have rope to tie their tattered tarps.” Many of them believed their god was angry with them because of the corruption in the country and government. They would hug us and thank us, asking again and again, Why have you come? How is it the Christian Americans are here to help us and our own government has yet to bring assistance? They just couldn’t believe it. They felt deserted by everyone.

“Jesus brought me,” Deb replied, “and that’s how I found you.”

Deb and her team worked to build homes and temporary structures. They hauled and lifted and hammered – hard physical labor – but they also sat among the ruins and listened over tea or coffee.

“On every deployment, my heart is full yet shattered at the same time.” Shattered because of the suffering all around. “Everybody is vulnerable. Everybody is desperate. Sadness, depression and suicide fill the atmosphere. Yet, I also find myself full-hearted because it is obvious God is transforming and empowering lives as we extend our hearts to help. This is the expectation God has for us.”

What Is Compassion?

Compassion comes from the Latin “com” (with or together) and “passion” (suffer). To suffer with. (Merriam Webster) “Compassion and empathy both refer to a caring response to someone else’s distress. While empathy refers to an active sharing in the emotional experience of the other person, compassion adds to that emotional experience a desire to alleviate the person’s distress.”

Scripture tells us to be compassionate.

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” — Ephesians 4:32

“Be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.” 1 Peter 3:8

The Joy of the Lord

For two to three weeks at a time, Deb lived with what she could carry on her back – clothes, sleeping bag, toilet paper, Bible. And to prepare herself, she prayed. And prayed.

“Our western culture is so removed from tragedy. We can’t begin to relate to why a mother would want to put her child in a boat. They call the Aegean Sea ‘Death’s Grip.’ So many don’t make it.

“We don’t want to suffer – even vicariously – but God keeps putting stuff in front of me. He wants me there. He opens doors. He makes it amazing. When he says, ‘Jump,’ I jump. When he says, ‘Duck,’ I duck. I’m walking with God. I’m in rhythm with him.

“I have to experience God like this. It enriches my soul, my life.”

And, in the process, Deb says, she finds commonality with “the others.”

“People are harder to dislike, avoid or disregard when you find common ground. They, too, love their children; they want them to be safe. They are discouraged and desperate for help. No different than you or I. If I were in dire circumstances as they are, I most certainly would want someone to extend heart and hand.

“Caring for others opens up things in your own life. I move into suffering because I know I will find Jesus there.”

Not everyone is called to go physically into war-torn, earthquake-ravaged countries to administer aid, but everyone is called to care, to be compassionate. What is your role?

• Pray.
• Give.
• Welcome those who have been displaced.

By Lisa Zanoni, World Relief Spokane Relationship Manager

Raise your hand if you are a mama! Or have a mama. As a mother, or parent, we want our children to be safe and happy. Many of us have made the decision to move away from our family. The reasons are vast: we fall in love; we get a job transfer; we go to college and just never return to our home. I am a southern gal, born and raised in North Carolina. In southern culture, children, especially daughters, don’t venture far from the nest. I am an exception. I fell in love, married a man, and moved to Spokane 29 years ago. I know I ripped my mama’s heart out of her chest. The saving grace was the knowledge that I knew I would be visiting my family frequently. I had, and I still have, the freedom to buy a plane ticket and go home anytime I please.

But what if seeing my family wasn’t even remotely a possibility? What if that tear-laden, heart-wrenching goodbye in 1994 was the last goodbye?

I want to introduce to you Hamsa, Masar, and their three precious daughters. Here is her story of heartache, success and a beautiful reunion!

“My husband, Masar, 14-month-old daughter, Lina, and I moved to the United States in January 2013 as immigrants from Iraq through a program called *Special Immigrant Visa (SIV). Masar and I both worked as contractors for the U.S. government as interpreters. Subsequently, our lives were under threat during the widespread civil war and the harsh service conditions in Baghdad. Threats on our lives for serving with the U.S. military had become too common. The decision to leave Iraq was made when we came home to a gift-wrapped bullet on our front porch. Knowing everything and everyone we would leave behind; this was not an easy decision to make.

Due to the lack of security for our family, and fear of the retaliation that might be taken against my family, I was unable to tell anyone about my plans. I couldn’t even tell my mother. Keeping that secret from her was extremely difficult, but I knew that in order to keep her and my siblings safe, I dare not say a word. Therefore, I told my mother a week before my flight to the United States. We cried as we held each other close, knowing full well that this was probably the last time we would see each other, hug each other. The last time she would see her granddaughter. She was not ready for the separation, but at the same time she wanted a safe and better life for me. She knew she had to let me go in order for me and my little family to live. The day I said goodbye to her and my four siblings was one of, if not the, hardest day of my life.

We flew to US in January 2013, and I still vividly remember the day we arrived in Spokane ten years ago. It felt like magic where Christmas decorations were still being displayed everywhere. I was as excited as a child about our new life! World Relief and especially Lisa West-Zanoni played a great role in my life here from day one to this moment! They assisted us in the resettlement process and helped us to adapt to the new environment. In fact, World Relief staff treat immigrants and refugees as family members or friends. This had a huge impact on me and my family when we arrived to Spokane. Therefore, I am thankful to them. I also would like to give special thanks for Lisa West-Zanoni who was and is still there to support and encourage me as wonderful mother, sister, and friend!

My life in the United States has been challenging and blessed. I encountered multiple obstacles in my life and education journey. I got discriminated against because of the hijab/head scarf that I used to wear. I once was told to speak English at a bus stop. This did not prevent me from going to school. I hold a bachelor’s degree in English from University of Baghdad, and I was determined to continue my education in America and get a job to serve my community. I enrolled in the Vascular Ultrasound Program, and soon after, I got my US citizenship and graduated with an AAS degree! And I have been working in the field for about five years now. Masar and I bought our first house, and our daughters are happy and safe.

Despite our wonderful lives in Spokane, during the past decade, my family was ever present in my thoughts and heart. As primary SIV holder, my husband was able to bring his family to the U.S. As wonderful as it is to have my in-laws here, I was still so desperate to see my mother and for my mother to see her granddaughters. She had not met the two younger girls who were born in Spokane and had watched Lina grow up via FaceTime. I invited my mother and sister to come and visit me on a visitor visa in 2022. Unfortunately, they got rejected. After much discussion with my husband and reports that Baghdad had increased security measures in place, I decided to go to Baghdad and visit them in April 2023. However, I was nervous to go back. Would I be safe? Would I put my family at risk? My longing to see my mother, siblings, and relatives was too overwhelming, and I decided I would trust reports I had heard and take that chance.

The moment I stepped off of the plane and into my mother’s arms confirmed that I had made the right decision. I had four weeks to make up for ten years of separation, four of the most joyous weeks of my life. Very quickly my security fears abated, and instead, stories of missed birthdays and weddings were shared and priceless memories were made. I spent a lot of time just sitting with my mother, cherishing every moment with her. As I closely examined her face and hands, I thought to myself how she had aged. At times, I felt cheated for the hand that had been dealt me and that I was missing these years with her. I knew that she would have it no other way. She had peace knowing that I was safe.

My mother is an amazing cook, and we spent a lot of time enjoying her food. I felt safe as I walked around Baghdad and was thrilled to see rejuvenation occurring. My heart was full as I watched my daughters play with their cousins they had never met. I was thrilled for them to experience their culture that was all around them! It was good to be home and to be surrounded by familiar things that I have missed. But especially to be with my mother.

Those four weeks passed far too quickly. There wasn’t enough time. There is never enough time when it comes to our loved ones. The goodbyes this time although difficult, were not hopeless as before. As I left Baghdad and headed to my U.S. home, I was filled with love and encouragement, knowing that this was not the last goodbye.

I don’t know what the future holds for my family, but I am going to do my best to make this trip every couple of years. War, fear and persecution can tear our lives apart, but nothing will ever separate my mother’s love from my heart.

As we discuss the lives of those from Iraq and their struggle, please consider making a donation to support those coming to Spokane for a new life.

*SIV is a program for Iraqi and Afghan nationals who served alongside or worked with the U.S. government. SIV recipients legal permanent residents of the United States.

If you’re anything like me, you love a good book list — especially for summer. The sun is brighter and the heat invites us to bask in the delight of a season that reminds us to rest and make space for fun. I recently asked my co-workers at World Relief what books they’d recommend for our summer reading list and today, we’re sharing a few of those recommendations.

Whether you are looking for a book to read poolside, on your next flight or at home in the cool evening, we hope this list of varied experiences and notable voices helps engage your mind and your heart this summer! 

  “We read to know we aren’t alone.” C.S. Lewis. 

1. Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie – Chimamanda’s fictional story about a Nigerian couple separated by war, forced to take separate paths in completely different countries while boldly commenting on today’s realities in race and class promises to leave you different than when you began it. It’s no wonder this book made it onto countless Best Book of the Year lists.
   
   
2. Beyond Welcome: Centering Immigrants in Our Christian Response to Immigration by Karen Gonzalez – Former World Relief staff member, Karen Gonzalez reminds us how centering immigrant voices when discussing immigration is not only important but critical to following a gospel-centered approach to how we advocate for, vote on and learn about the marginalized. A must-read for anyone looking to take their advocacy and solidarity to a deeper level and a top resource we recommend in learning about refugees and other immigrants.  
   
   
3. Creating Cultures of Belonging: Cultivating Organizations Where Women and Men Thrive by Beth Birmingham and Eeva Sallinen Simard – Co-written byWorld Relief’s very own, Eeva Sallinen Simard, this book explores how faith-based organizations can create and sustain a safe work environment for a diverse workforce to flourish. With practical steps and solutions, Creating Cultures of Belonging will inspire you to bring change and best practices to your own organization.
   
   
4. Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri – This young adult autobiographical novel has won countless awards for its immense heart and masterfully written storytelling. It tells the story of Daniel and his family’s journey as Iranian refugees seeking asylum in the U.S. after his mother embraces Christianity. Daniel shares what it’s like to cope with forming his identity while navigating a new culture in a new world.
   
   
5. His Testimonies, My Heritage: Women of Color on the Word of God by Kristie Anyabwile – This inspiring collection of stories written by women of color from different cultural backgrounds will leave you in awe of God’s intentional purpose for his daughters. As a Latina Christ-follower, these words ministered to my whole self and reminded me of how a good God perfectly created us to do his work in a multicultural and diverse world.  
   
   
6. Social Justice for the Sensitive Soul by Dorcas Cheng-Tozun – Often times when we think of advocacy or working in social justice, we think of loud marches or individual voices speaking out to the masses. While that is a small part of it, Dorcas highlights the vital role the quiet observers and thinkers play in the pursuit of justice while freeing us from the myth of an ideal activist.
   
   
7. The Stranger At Our Shore: How Immigrants and Refugees Strengthen the Church by Josh Sheriff – Josh shares his personal story of leaving Islam as a child into a new life in Christ while speaking into a new vision of what missions can look like and discipling to people different from yourself. I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing Josh’s commitment to God’s people when he was a pastor at a local church in Chicago. I know that anyone who reads this book will glean so much wisdom from his experience and devoted heart.
   
   
8. The Next Worship: Glorifying God in a Diverse World by Sandra Van Opstal – Worship does not look any one specific way. If we are joining together in church with God’s creation in mind, then our worship is full of all tribes and all nations- honoring the many ways he has made us to glorify him. Sandra dives deep into what that looks like and her expertise will convict you into bringing this wisdom to your church, your life and your own worship.
   
   
9. This Here Flesh by Cole Arthur Riley – This book of reflections and life lessons from Cole’s family history while written in prose, is pure poetry. Cole’s writing will remind you of the beauty of the written word and her insights will serve as a balm to your soul. If you only read one book this summer, let it be this one.
   
   
10. Thou Shalt Not Be A Jerk: A Christian’s Guide to Engaging Politics by Eugene Cho Gear up for the upcoming election season by learning how to engage in healthy and graceful (God-centered) political discussions. Eugene’s book boldly confronts the challenges we face today in talking about why politics matter, how to live out your convictions while loving the very people you disagree with and how those convictions should be Bible-centered vs. directed by political party agendas. 

Enter the Summer Book Giveaway

This summer we are giving away 3 books from the list above. Fill out your information below for a chance to win!

Jessica Galván is a Content Writer at World Relief. She is passionate about storytelling and amplifying diverse voices to reveal the beauty of God’s creation. She is also the Editorial Director for Chasing Justice and prior to World Relief, she was a freelance writer and editor for a variety of clients in publishing, most recently Penguin Random House. When she isn’t wordsmithing for the pursuit of faith and justice, she is spending time with her husband and their 3 children in the Houston, TX area.