We are about half way through the 12 days of Christmas, and I think it is very appropriate that January 3-9, 2010 is also National Migration Week. Joseph and Mary searching out a manager were definitely a family on the move.  And as he grew, their son Jesus traveled far and wide to preach the Gospel.

In our times, the number of individuals living outside their home countries has more than doubled in the past 30 years.  There are now close to 200 million migrants worldwide, and the vast majority are economic migrants, many with few options to escape poverty.  Hearing those statistics, some of us that react with fear, especially in hard economic times, that “foreigners” are taking jobs, opportunities and resources. But, as CRS Strategic Issues Advisor Mary DeLorey notes in the new book , And You Welcomed Me: Migration and Catholic Social Teaching, there are many misconceptions about migration.  Contrary to common belief, for example, nearly a third of all migrants move from one developing country to another.

Another misconception I hear sometimes is that Fair Trade “prevents” immigration.  Surely, in some cases, better access to income through Fair Trade  might allow producers to stay in their home communities.  But as Mary notes in the book, the motivations for migration are complex and dynamic.  There are many factors influencing a decision to migrate, and families often adopt a variety of strategies for improving prospects for a better livelihood.  One family member might participate in a Fair Trade cooperative, while at the same time his sister heads to a big city for a chance at a steady job!

Faced with these realities,  CRS is part of the Justice for Immigrants campaign as we work to help Catholics Confront Global Poverty.  We’ve created a variety of resources to help you this week and all year long.   Please join us in our efforts to offer the same welcome the Holy Family received in a manger thousands of years ago.