Introduction

Would you be willing to open your home to an immigrant family in need?

Immigration Policies and Personal Experiences

During my upbringing, we had a regular immigrant dining with our family almost every Sunday. My grandfather immigrated to the US through Ellis Island in 1912, and several of our cousins from Italy joined us later. Immigration has been a part of our family history, and while there are instances of illegal entries, I do not reject those seeking legal entry.

Welcoming Home Refugees and Asylum Seekers

Over the years, I have hosted around two hundred refugees and asylum seekers in my house, not all at the same time. They typically came because they were homeless, some with legal documents and able to move on after a while, and others without legal status who stayed for many years on a charitable basis. While accommodating foreigners has not been without its challenges, the experience has been mostly rewarding.

Living with Immigrants

The co-operative where I live currently has multiple immigrants, including an American, a Russian, a Cuban, a French, a Jamaican, and a Japanese immigrant. We share communal spaces and responsibilities. These immigrants have provided various forms of support, such as cooking, cleaning, and even emotional comfort. For instance, my family's names are Double-Six and Super-Seven, but we happily accept Chris and his wife because they are quite useful to us.

Supporting Immigrant Integration

For those in the UK who are considering taking in a refugee, I recommend reaching out to organizations like [insert recommended organization here] that do fantastic work in facilitating integration and support for newcomers.

Conclusion

Opening our homes to immigrant families is not a decision to take lightly, but when done thoughtfully, it can lead to a rewarding experience for both the host and the guest. It is important to approach such a situation with an open heart and a willingness to adjust to the challenges that come with cultural integration.