The Refugee Highway in the Context of North America
Our Roots
The vision of Refugee Highway Partnership North America (RHPNA) is to see a Kingdom movement of transformational ministry with and among forcibly displaced people in North America and beyond. Traditionally, the RHPNA has primarily focused on welcoming resettled refugees, as well as asylum seekers / refugee claimants, to the U.S. and Canada. Using the metaphor of a highway, we have focused on the off-ramps into these countries.
Historically, and to date, we have used the definition of refugee and forcibly displaced peoples from the 1951 UNHCR Convention & Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, which states, “A refugee, according to the Convention, is someone who is unable or unwilling to return to their country of origin owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion” (p. 3).
The convention holds to a strong principle of non-refoulment. “It provides that no one shall expel or return (“reformer”) a refugee against his or her will, in any manner whatsoever, to a territory where he or she fears threats to life or freedom” (p. 3). UNHCR reports on the categories of internally displaced people (within the borders of one’s own country), asylum seekers (refugee claimants), refugees, and stateless people.
Our Growth
In the past decade, our network has recognized that the refugee highway exists within the context of the land of North America. The land bears witness to the historical, and ongoing, context of forced displacement of indigenous people in North America. The land of North America also includes Mexico.
In the past, North America has not hosted refugee camps.
At the last few North America Roundtables, we learned about the land from the perspective of our indigenous brothers and sisters. One metaphor that was shared was that of a home whose original inhabitants were forcibly displaced and relegated to an upstairs room while the new inhabitants welcomed new people who had been displaced from their homes. We have been encouraged to begin to see history more through the lens of our indigenous brothers and sisters and to participate with them in healing the land and the people.
In the last two years, we have listened and learned from our partners in Mexico. Officially, North America is not a place that hosts refugee camps. However, our partners in Mexico, testify to people being held in liminal space as they await the opportunity to claim asylum. Asylum seekers who are able to cross borders are increasingly forcibly returned. Where we have previously only seen off-ramps from the refugee highway into North America, we are beginning to acknowledge on-ramps sending people back to life-threatening situations.
Our Local and Global Context
The refugee highway in North America exists within a land of unresolved forced displacement, and is increasingly multi-directional. Our focus is specifically on refugees, as defined by UNHCR. This focus allows us to cultivate expertise and provide specific care for this vulnerable population. However, like a surgeon would be unwise to perform a surgery without consulting the entire health team, we would be unwise to practice hospitality with and among refugees, without considering the entirety of our context.
On a local level, in our neighborhoods and communities across North America, where people are increasingly vulnerable, we stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters who come alongside immigrants currently being dehumanized, forcibly displaced, and separated from their families. We desire to be good partners and collaborators, offering and receiving wisdom through best practices and connections to people and places of support throughout North America.
We share best practices and provide connections.
On a global level, what makes refugees particularly vulnerable, is their lack of “home” to which they are able to safely return. This vulnerability extends beyond the UNHCR definition and as a network, in the coming years, we will be pressed to evaluate the growing needs and our responsibility to people forcibly displaced by severe poverty and climate change. These realities are inextricably linked to the conflicts and wars that force people from their homes.
Our Journey Together
We gather at Regional and North America Roundtables to learn from one another, share resources, and experience the presence and healing of Jesus together. We are always learning from one another and that learning invites us into new and adapted action to fulfill our vision to see a Kingdom movement of transformational ministry with and among forcibly displaced people in North America and beyond.
We are encouraged by the activity in the WhatsApp regional channels as the network activates in this moment of increasing hostility to provide safety, practical support, and spiritual care. May we continue to gather around the table, ensuring that those most impacted are able to join us.
You can help us set the table and ensure access to the table by donating to one of our three funds: RHPNA General, Heidi Moll Schoedel Scholarship, RHPNA - Latin America. Visit: RHPNA.com/donate for more information.
RHPNA Leadership Team, March 4, 2025
Shanna Doughty (Co-Facilitator), Shahrazad Mohamed (Co-Facilitator), Heri Karuba (Regions - Canada), Bill Wells (Regions - US), Nick Armstrong (NA Roundtable), Laura Armstrong (NA Roundtable) José Serrano (Mexico - Latin America), Chris McQueen (Global), Alison Witt (Prayer), Aamir Shahzad (Fundraising / Finance)