Immaculate Heart of Mary has been receiving Burmese Refugees since April of 2008 At that time a case worker from Bethany contacted us about a Burmese Catholic family who wanted to attend a Catholic Church.  Thus began our journey.

Now there are five Burmese families and about four single men who have registered at the parish.  These refugees are coming primarily from two Burmese states: Chin (at left yellow) and Karen (at left tan). The links on the right connect to articles that explain the human rights violations each of these groups is experiencing, their refugee experiences and information about Myanmar (Burma) and the Burmese Catholic Church.

 The Chin Human Rights Organization

The Karen Human Rights Group

CIA-The World Factbook: Burma

History of Burmese Catholic Church

History of Chin Catholocism

The Burmese Refugee Experience

 Burmese Refugees Fearful of New Life in USA

Refugee Experience in Malaysia

In order to qualify for resettlement as a refugee individuals must first register with the U.N. High Commission on Refugees. They are able to do so through the Red Cross/Red Crescent in refugee camps.  Urban refugees learn the location of the U.N. office by word of mouth.

Once registered they are refered to a U.N. Resettlement Officer who opens their case, creates an extensive file, and then recommends one of three options: 1) Repatriation - return to their home country (if the situation at home has been resolved), 2) Local integration - leave the camp and become a legal part of the local area, 3) Resettlement - when neither of the first two are viable options.

It is estimated that there are 14,000,000 refugees world wide.  Last year 100,000 refugees were resettled globally. Sixty thousand of them came to the United States.  While we don't accept every case refered to us, we do have a very generous policy.