Ross Willerth

Last year, 106,000 immigrants came to the United States seeking refuge, according to USA Facts. A person often seeks refuge or asylum in the U.S. in order to escape persecution that is considered unjust and illegal in the U.S. These unjust persecutions in their home country are often over race, religion, political opinion, and involvement in certain social groups. Persecution of this kind is prohibited in the United States under Title VII under the Civil Rights Act of 1964. While a refugee is safe from persecution once they are approved to live in the United States, it isn’t all easy going from there. The next step for the refugee and their family is to integrate into U.S. society, which can present its own challenges. In 2023, St. Ambrose University answered the call to help refugees integrate and settle down in U.S. society and became the first campus in Iowa to join Every Campus a Refuge.