Just when TJ Rogers ’11 thinks he’s heard the worst, someone new walks into Detroit’s Freedom House with an unimaginable story of persecution, torture and imprisonment endured in a country desecrated by government corruption, civil wars and violence. Like the woman who spent months in a Cameroon prison, beaten to the point of near death for encouraging young girls to obtain an education. Or the Uganda man who was nearly eaten alive by red ants, which his captors released over his body because of suspicions about his sexual orientation.
TJ Rogers ’11
Advocating for asylum-seekers
“These gritty realities are part of my daily existence,” Rogers says. “It’s a helpless feeling but my job is to channel those feelings into action and advocacy.” Rogers is the program manager at Freedom House. Nestled at the foot of Detroit’s Ambassador Bridge, the non-profit residence is a beacon for asylum-seekers who travel to the U.S. to escape punishment for their political opinions, religious affiliations, race, ethnicity or social associations. Freedom House is the only organization in the country that provides comprehensive services – food, clothing, shelter, English education, legal aid, and medical and psychosocial care – to this courageous population. “When someone walks into Freedom House, our staff inadvertently becomes the face of America,” Rogers says. “It’s our moral and ethical obligation – as human beings and Americans – to welcome these asylum-seekers with open hands instead of clenched fists.” Under current U.S. immigration law, asylum-seekers have one year from the day they enter the country to file their applications with the government requesting asylum. They’re not allowed to work throughout the application process so during that time, Rogers steers residents through the arduous legal process, and prepares them for self-sufficiency and employment. “The residents who come to us are well-educated professionals who worked in government, medicine and business,” Rogers says. “They embody American ideals and values, and once they receive asylum, they’re eager to give back to the country that welcomed them.” Rogers found Freedom House by way of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC). Assigned to the Detroit center, he served as a full-time volunteer, subsisting on a nominal $100 per month stipend. Rogers originally committed to one year of JVC service with Freedom House but stayed on a second year. “I was filled with this desire to deepen my spirituality and engage in more direct service, community living and a simple lifestyle,” Rogers recalls. “Canisius instilled these Jesuit values in me and I wanted to see where they would take me.” The JVC experience proved indelibly more than a detour on Rogers’ path to a profession. Instead, it marked the beginning of a journey to promote social justice. Rogers is a proud member of Amnesty International and newly appointed to the LGBT Freedom & Asylum Network Steering Committee, which assists those seeking asylum because of persecution based on sexual orientation or gender identity. “People deserve to live free from oppression and be treated with compassion and dignity,” Rogers says. “The asylum-seekers at Freedom House advocated for these human rights in their native countries. Now, I must be their advocate, ensuring they receive the support and opportunities they deserve. It’s a fundamental American principle - inscribed on the Statue of Liberty – to provide safety for those ‘yearning to breathe free.’”
“People deserve to live free from oppression and be treated with compassion and dignity.”