New York has given me that Refuge
In this film, refugee South Asian LGBTQ+ activist Barbara Khan talks about her migration from Pakistan and her life in New York as a trans woman.
New York today – Still a city of promise?
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“…back then being a refugee or a torture survivor was kind of like an appealing thing for a lot of viewers”
Sami from Syria: With support or without?
In this interview, the political refugee and activist Sami[1. name changed] from Syria, presents his thoughts and experiences on the topics: Support Networks for…
“I am curious about the way in which there is a kind of complacency about the question of how to handle legal and illegal immigration in the United States.”
Kian Tajbakhsh: Aspects of a Migrant’s Life in New York City
In an interview with the We Refugees Archive Team, Iranian Political Exilee and Coordinator of the Committee on Forced Migration at Columbia University Kian…
“Basically, I had to prove that my life was awful…”
Torture remains
Malek [1. name changed] describes the psychological stress that the asylum process in the U.S. triggered in him.
” some people just see you as a case and feel bad for you. Not in a constructive way, I feel like you become a project.”
L. from Egypt: What’s your status in USA?
In this interview, the queer activist, human rights journalist, and refugee L. [1. they wish to remain anonymous] talks about their experiences of discrimination…
“So, this is the story of how I came from Afghanistan to New York”
From Kabul to New York City
Abdul S.– name changed, is an exiled professor of epidemiology at Kabul University of Medical Science and the first Afghan scholar to accept a…
“It is nice to have a love and hate relationship with the city…”
Hasan about the Myth of New York
In an interview with the We Refugees Archive team, political refugee and scholar Hasan talks about starting over in the United States and the…
“Every step in the system just reminds you that you’re not welcomed. The system is not designed to support…”
L. from Egypt: You are not welcomed
In the interview, the queer activist, human rights journalist and refugee L. [1. they wish to remain anonymous] presents their reflections on the topics:…
“I came to New York without not knowing anyone, but I came with the specific goals to organize the community…”
Eric about the Venezuelan community in New York.
In an interview with the We Refugees Archive Team, political refugee Eric talks about his active support of the Venezuelan community in New York,…
“My kids aren’t afraid anymore.”
Itzel Tzab´s new beginning
Itzel Tzab was born in La Libertad, Petén in Guatemala. She grew up in rural poverty, where her family experienced deadly assaults by violent…
“So, it was quite clear that if I went back from Hong Kong to Mainland China, I would be definitely arrested and given a long sentence.”
Teng Biao on his flight to and arrival in the United States
In an interview with the We Refugees Archive Team, Chinese human rights activist and political exilee Teng Biao talks about how he arrived in…
“I might say I am falling out of love with Tehran and falling in love with New York, a place that has accepted me.”
Kian Tajbakhsh on Homesickness
In an interview with the We Refugees Archive Team, Iranian Political Exilee and Coordinator of the Committee on Forced Migration at Columbia University Kian…
“I felt such a mixture of emotions: relief, happiness that I had finally made it here, but shame that my mother and stepfather had to see me like this in the detention center.”
Isabel Vásquez Escape from El Salvador to the USA
Isabel Vásquez is from Cantón El Rosario, Santa Ana in El Salvador. She fled to the U.S. with her 9-year-old daughter when she was…
“Currently I feel like in exile…. because I can’t leave United States and go somewhere else.”
New York City: No City of Refugees
Abdul S. – name changed, is an exiled professor of epidemiology at Kabul University of Medical Science and the first Afghan scholar to accept a…
“But the refugees status is not so comfortable, everyone gets uncomfortable, even depressed, anxious. This is something, that we also have, but we are going to adjust and to adapt ourselves to the new life here in New York.”
Support is Key: HIAS and Columbia University in New York City
Abdul S. – name changed, is an exiled professor of epidemiology at Kabul University of Medical Science and the first Afghan scholar to accept a…
“Home is something that I’m longing for, that’s the only thing I can say at this moment.”
Hasan on the notion of home
In an interview with the We Refugees Archive team, political refugee and scholar Hasan discusses their relationship to their mother tongue and the notion…
“You have one choice, you can file for an asylum on your sexual orientation and pray to God that the American government accepts it…”
Barbara Khan on Fleeing to and Arriving in New York
In an interview with the We Refugees Archive team, refugee and South Asian LGBTQ+ activist Barbara Khan relates the reasons for why she decided…
“We’d rather not see you ever again than see you in jail for something that you not have committed.”
Eric about his decision to flee
In an interview with the We Refugees Archive team, political refugee Eric discusses his decision to leave Venezuela and to come to United States.…
“I fight for human rights for everyone. I am a world citizen, not Chinese or any other identity.”
Teng Biao on Refugeedom and World Citizenship
In an interview with the We Refugees Archive Team, Chinese human rights activist and political exilee Teng Biao talks about being a refugee as…
“I came here fighting, fighting, surviving.”
Adrián Cruz about loneliness and the fear of deportation
Adrián Cruz is from Guatemala City in Guatemala. He fled to the United States when he was 17 years old. He comes from a…
“I was about to say [I found refuge] for the second time…”
Kian Tajbakhsh about his Double Refuge in New York City
In an interview with the We Refugees Archive Team, Iranian Political Exilee and Coordinator of the Committee on Forced Migration at Columbia University Kian…
“I just need a place to call home, get my clothes out of our luggage and make sure I cannot see my luggage for a long time … just don’t get my things out of the suitcase and be able to have a closet, a space, a spot that I can call home….”
Eric about his new start in New York City
In an interview with the We Refugees Archive team, political refugee Eric talks about his new start in New York, financial difficulties, finding housing,…
“Even as I came here, I felt like I am alone, and I have to grow into myself where I can stand and say: I’m going to be fine.”
Barbara Khan on Home and Homesickness
In an interview with the We Refugees Archive team, refugee and South Asian LGBTQ+ activist Barbara Khan discusses the question of home, homesickness and…
“It’s like putting you in a limbo.”
Hasan: Refugee Identity and Support Networks
In an interview with the We Refugees Archive team, political refugee and scholar Hasan discusses their identity as a refugee and the support networks…
“And that was a moment for me: I would not be able to continue my academic career in this country.”
Hasan about their decision to flee
In an interview with the We Refugees Archive team, political refugee and scholar Hasan relates the reasons for why they decided to flee. The…
“I guess I’m willing to own the fact that I am a refugee.”
Kian Tajbakhsh about Refugeedom and Identity
In an interview with the We Refugees Archive team, Iranian Political Exilee and Coordinator of the Committee on Forced Migration at Columbia University Kian…
“…I’d probably say maybe I’m American of Syrian origins or American. I mean, again, this might be even for a lot of Americans…But for me this is what America is really about.”
Sami from Syria about his American identity
In an interview with the We Refugees Archive team, the political refugee and activist Sami[1. name changed] from Syria, talks about his American identity…
“I have to live day to day not knowing if I’ll be able to keep working here, even living here.”
Ismael Xol and its uncertain future
Ismael Xol was born in Xolcuay, El Quiché in Guatemala and crossed the border into the United States at just 15 years old. Ismael…
“They treated us like criminals.”
Itzel Tzab about her escape with two small daughters
Itzel Tzab was born in La Libertad, Petén in Guatemala.She grew up in rural poverty, where her family experienced deadly assaults by violent neighbors.…
“And it is true that if you know how to find yourself, you can find yourself in New York.”
Barbara Khan: A Proud Refugee
In an interview with the We Refugees Archive team, refugee and South Asian LGBTQ+ activist Barbara Khan talks about her identity as a trans-refugee…
“So, my first six months was more focused on surviving, I guess”
Sami on his new start and challenges in the U.S.
In this interview, the political refugee and activist Sami[1. name changed] from Syria talks about his new beginning and initial challenges in the US.…
“…I had the feeling that I can be that in the US… like, I know what real freedom really means”
Sami about his decision to flee
In this interview, the political activist and refugee Sami[1. name changed] talks about his decision to leave Syria and come to the United States.…
“Ok, I’m becoming a New Yorker, I guess. That feeling is so good.”
Eric about Refugeedom, Homesickness and Mother tongue
In an interview with the We Refugees Archive team, Eric, a political refugee from Venezuela, talks about being a refugee and homesick in New…
“…like I spent almost two years receiving calls and threats from secret services that that I would be jailed, killed, kidnapped, or raped, if I didn’t stop what I’m doing.”
L. from Egypt about their decision to flee
In this interview,the queer activist, human rights journalist, and refugee L.[1. they wish to remain anonymous] talks about their decision to leave Egypt and…