Three Years of Radical Hospitality and Lessons Learned

This time of the year, Casa Alterna celebrates not one but two significant milestones that underscore the transformative power of radical hospitality.

A Journey of Compassion and Solidarity

First, we commemorate the third anniversary of hosting asylum seekers at the Atlanta Friends Meetinghouse. Since our inception, we have opened our doors to over 500 guests from more than 50 countries, offering them the warmth of our welcome and a place to rest at no cost. For us, hospitality is not just a duty; it’s a sacred privilege.

Second, this month marks one year since we extended our hospitality to unhoused individuals seeking asylum in the United States. Over the past year, we’ve sheltered 17 residents, including families and individuals from Venezuela, Cuba, Guatemala, and Honduras. Our home now holds nine residents, including four children and two expectant mothers due in November, creating a “thank-full” home. 

But that’s not all. Casa Alterna embraces a new chapter by establishing a supportive residential community within our house. Loyda, our dedicated residential coordinator from Bolivia, moved in recently, and this weekend, Kaitlyn will arrive to live in solidarity with our residents. These nine individuals, from diverse backgrounds and corners of the world, remind us that love and solidarity transcend borders. 

Lessons Learned on the Journey

As we’ve walked alongside asylum seekers, we’ve learned invaluable lessons:

1. America’s Asylum Policies: A Flawed Reality

Seeking asylum in the United States often resembles an insurmountable challenge, akin to navigating the treacherous Darien Gap – a jungle region between Colombia and Panama that many of our guests traverse. Asylum seekers, who have already endured unimaginable trauma, are met with a deeply flawed system. While they prove their credible fear of returning to their home countries, they are granted no work permits, have no access to federal public defenders, and are left without public benefits.

2. The Clock Ticks and Expenses Mount

Asylum seekers granted provisional admittance are given a one-year window to file an asylum application. Without work permits, they face an uphill battle to afford legal representation, as quality legal support requires significant financial resources.

3. The Illogical Sequence of Work Permits

The process for obtaining work permits is out of sequence, leaving asylum seekers in limbo. An ideal system would grant temporary work permits upon passing the credible fear interview, along with the assignment of a public defender to guide them through the asylum application process. The current system grants the possibility of a work permit only six months after filing the expensive and complex asylum application. This illogical sequence forces asylum seekers into the shadows of the economy, exposing them to exploitation and further hardship.

4. Immigration Courts as Political Arenas

Immigration courts should be impartial, but the reality is often far from it. Atlanta’s immigration courts, for instance, approve only 13% of asylum petitions, in stark contrast to the national average of nearly 50% and New York’s 73%. This disparity underscores the politicization of immigration policies and, by default, justice herself.

Hospitality: A Joyful, Sacred, and Provocative Act

Amid these challenges, Casa Alterna stands as a testament to the power of radical hospitality. It is a joyful and sacred act celebrating the resilience of asylum seekers. Yet, it is also provocative, challenging societal norms and demanding attention to injustices. We invite you to be part of this hopeful journey. Visit us, start or join a hospitality network in your community, or support Casa Alterna and other ministries like ours.

For the past three years, we’ve sought to embody a hospitable community, demonstrating the potential of humble solidarity. As we forge ahead, our commitment remains unwavering: to be a small but impactful example of a love that crosses borders.