When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamison and Omar Mohamed
This graphic novel is heartwarming and heartbreaking all at once. The story of two brothers from Somalia who have spent the majority of their lives alone in a refugee camp in Kenya. One brother is nonverbal and has several other health problems. This is the story of how they survive life in a refugee camp and how they find hope. I loved how accessible this book was. It was a quick, easy read appropriate for those around 8 years old and up. It did discuss hard truths such as days without food, but Omar always manages to come back to hope. I appreciated the focus on the importance of education and the difficulties of obtaining it. This book is a great book to help even young children gain perspective about how difficult life can be for a refugee. The one aspect I wish was different, was that the book ended as soon as Omar and Hassan are resettled. It gives the impression that once a refugee is resettled, their problems are over, which is not usually the case. I wish it had continued to tell the story of resettlement. This is definitely a book you will want to pick up.
My First Asylum Case: An Attorney's Perspective on Asylum in the United States
I took my first asylum case in 2016, when our national dialog on immigration took a decidedly negative turn. As a corporate attorney, I had no experience in immigration law, but my license allowed me to represent individuals fleeing severe persecution and I signed with a local non-profit to offer my help. My first asylum client was a young mother and her two small daughters. I could see myself in Saba.
Their Story is Our Story Applauds the Signing of Virginia House Bill 995 and Continues Efforts to Open Doors for Foreign-trained Medical Professionals in Other States
Their Story is Our Story (TSOS), a non-profit organization that collects and shares the experiences of refugees to deepen understanding and influence action, applauds the signing of Virginia House Bill 995 into law by Governor Glenn Youngkin, after its unanimous passage through the Virginia House of Delegates and Senate. It will create a pathway for foreign-trained doctors who have immigrated to the state, including those whose careers were interrupted by forcible displacement, to fill workforce gaps in medically underserved communities.
Idaho One Refugee Conference
Last fall I was able to attend the 1Refugee Conference in Idaho. The event was well organized and everyone who approached our table was interested in what we did and wanted to know how to get involved. There were at least 100 students majoring in a variety of things who attended the event and we had 20 students give us their contact information. Most were interested in our internship programs.