Lecture 1

Migration involves the process of movement of people from one place to another. As a natural
response it definitely has to do especially with the aspect of movement caused by varying
factors, such as, hunger, deprivation, persecution, war and natural disasters. Hence, migration
has already been a part of human history reaching as far as ancient times.

- “All those who live outside their homeland or their own ethnic community and need of
special attention because of real necessity.” (De Pastorali Migratorum Cura, 15).
- “Immigrants migrant workers, exiles and refugees, sailors, travelers by air, airport
personnel, nomadic people and tourists.” (Church and Human Mobility, 2).
- “Displaced people, fishermen, circus and fairground people, travelers for reason for
piety and study, land transport workers, etc.” (Pastoral council for the pastoral care for
migrants, and itinerant people).

We have International, Internal, Political, Refugees (request for refuge has been accepted),
Asylum Seekers (request for refuge has not yet been accepted), internally displaced peoples,
Economic Migrants, Cultural Migrants, and Students. Based on motivation, there are 2 kinds:
Forced migrants, driven from home by wars persecution, and natural calamities. And, voluntary
migrants move independently on their own accord.

- A person residing outside their country of origin. (UN Department of Economic and
Social Affairs). Migrant workers refers to a person (who is to be, is, or has been engaged
in a remunerated activity in a state of which he or she is not a national. Migrant workers
including their families, must comply with the (ICRMW, art. 5).

The Human rights advocate mentions that it is important to note that the word “illegal”
referring to the migrants is to be avoided. There are inalienable rights as a person with human
dignity that which cannot easily be removed or denied. (Including the right to move) This is
acceptable whether a migrant is a regular or an irregular, no one has the right to be abused.

- There are 272 million migrants globally.

- 74 % ages 20 to 64 – international migrants.
 - 52 % male and 48 % female.

Migrants are people in search of a better life for themselves and their families. Upholding of the
human rights should be perpetually done to each and every person. Considering that migrants
are in irregular situations, each should be treated fairly. It means that all the rights must be
accessible to them no matter who, where, or what state of life they are in. Being an irregular
migrant does not render him or her less of a person.

It is important to look into the basic ideas and data especially on migrants as they work or as to
how they are in their situation in terms of living and earning, how do they affect the economy
and what are the costs in doing such laborious, perhaps even deadly task (with all the wars,
abuses, discrimination and pandemic, etc., going around all at the same time).

To see the objective scope of migration, benefits us in a way that makes us understand the
situation that they are facing right now. As learners we should study these concepts so that we
can maneuver our way into the upcoming lessons, which will eventually boil down to the
application of the social teachings of the church. Or in other words, how might we be able to
help as brothers and sisters united as one church.