Seeking Refuge

In this news brief, we break down why so many Haitians are seeking asylum in the US and in other Latin American countries. Political turmoil, natural disasters, and lack of security in the country have led thousands to flee across dangerous paths in search of safety. The Washington Post article about Nathaniel Dennison's journey across the Darién Gap in can be found here: https://www.washingtonpos...

Today we talk with Mayor Wilmot Collins of Helena, Montana. Mayor Collins is a former Liberian refugee, and we talk about his refugee journey from Liberia, his time in the Navy, and his career pivot into Montana politics. Mayor Collins also discusses advocating for refugees and gives his thoughts on current displacement crises. You can check out Mayor Collins' re-election website here: https://www...

Today we are kicking off our new season by going a bit more local. We talk to the leadership of Gamecocks Aiding Refugees, an advocacy and service organization on our very own University of South Carolina campus! Lauren, Nora, and Natalie talk about their experiences working alongside refugees and witnessing refugee community right here in Columbia, SC. They also talk about how students can be eng...

As of the beginning of 2020, there were 2.6 million Afghan refugees in the world, a number which was growing quickly, according to the UNHCR. With the US withdrawal from Afghanistan on August 30, 2021 and the concurrent Taliban takeover in Kabul, this number will surely rise significantly. The longstanding US backlogs for special visa applications mean that interpreters and other US allies were no...

In this episode, Aidan attends a protest at the South Carolina Statehouse organized to bring attention to the military coup in Burma (also known as Myanmar). The coup, which took place on February 1, 2021, sparked global outcry against the military regime and against the international community for the lack of resistance. In Columbia, a group of people, mostly resettled refugees from Burma, hold p...

In the past few months, the United States has seen an all-time high of asylum seekers and migrants arriving at the Southern Border. The Biden administration has struggled to respond, and conditions in detainment facilities for asylum seekers have remained awful. Additionally, Biden has blamed the humanitarian crisis at the border for his delays and reversals in raising the U.S. refugee cap from it...

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Julie Sugarman of the Migration Policy Institute about issues facing displaced students in accessing education. She explains factors for students in emergent crises, long-term displacement in refugee camps, and resettlement, particularly in terms of English learner (EL) programs. Here is Dr. Sugarman's page with the Migration Policy Institute: https://www.migratio...

Esha and Aidan review Malala Yousafzai's recent book, We are Displaced: My Journey and Stories from Refugee Girls Around the World. The book is a collection of narrative essays telling the stories of several young women and girls who are displaced around the world, from Syria to Colombia to Myanmar to the US. Their stories center on the humanity of their experiences and how being displaced has imp...

Today, Jackie sits down with Anjalina Sen, Regional Refugee Coordinator at the U.S. Embassy in Bogota, Columbia. Anjalina has worked for the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) in Myanmar, Iraq, Beruit, and Turkey, and she now helps manage one of the largest displacement crises in the world in Venezuela. They talk about the situation in Venezuela and how it compares to other crises...

Today we learn what it means to be a climate refugee and how many people are fleeing because of environmental reasons. (Student Spotlight alert!) We talk first to Grace Adcox, a graduate student at Vanderbilt University studying refugees, conflict, and climate. Then we talk to Amali Tower, the founder of Climate Refugees, a human rights organization that advocates for the rights of those displaced...

On February 1, 2021, Myanmar's military seized control of the government in a coup. Since this happened, there has been massive civil unrest and military violence in response to the protests. Over 200 anti-coup protestors have died so far. The Burmese military has been the force behind the ongoing ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya, Karen, and other minority ethnic groups in the country, so this cou...

in this episode, we look at a crisis closer to home than ever before. Jean Sicurella of Misión de Caridad, an organization that helps women and children who are stranded in Mexico as a result of the "Remain in Mexico" program, sits down with us to talk about what they do. She talks education, human trafficking, the U.S. asylum system, and more. You can check out Misión de Caridad's website here: h...

In part two of our look into the history of refugees, we talk with Peter Gatrell again about the creation of the UNHCR and the 1951 Refugee Convention. We also look at trends that lead the international framework from refugees from the early 1950s to now. Lastly, we get insight into how we should think about the current "refugee crisis" in context with history. You can check out Professor Gatrell'...

In part one of a two part investigation, we outline the historical context of the modern refugee crisis with Professor Peter Gatrell, a migration history expert from the University of Manchester in England. Professor Gatrell explains how refugees came about as a byproduct of the nation-state system and how major conflicts like the World Wars, the Russian Revolution, and decolonization impacted the...

Season Four of Seeking Refuge is here!! This season, which we're calling "Intersections," will explore the ways that being a refugee compounds on other systemic issues in the world. Dropping next Monday, February 22nd! Which episode are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments! Connect With Us If you or someone you know would like to share their personal refugee story, send us an email at...

A few weeks ago, Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th President of the United States. Here's a recap of all the refugee and immigration policy changes he's made in his first days. Check out the White House's Fact Sheets on the new policies: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/01/20/fact-sheet-president-biden-sends-immigration-bill-to-congress-as-part-of-his-commitment-t...

Today, Patrick sits down with Lewis Mudge, the Director of Central Africa for Human Rights Watch. Lewis talks about his career as a humanitarian, monitoring human rights abuses in the Central African Republic and surrounding countries. He discusses the state of the CAR today and the pursuit of justice in the country. Click here to see Human Rights Watch's official report on the CAR: https://www.hr...

Patrick sits down with New Hampshire State Representative Safiya Wazir. Safiya is from Afghanistan and is the first refugee to be elected to the New Hampshire State Legislature. They talk about her journey to the US, her life as an activist, being a woman in NH politics, and being a young mom through all of this. She also shares a hopeful view of the future for refugees, women, and all Americans....

Jackie sits down with Firas Al-Khateeb, a communication and public information officer with the UNHCR in Iraq. They talk about the role of the UNHCR in the refugee crisis, the current state of displacement in Iraq, and the impact of the Syrian refugee crisis on the country. They also talk ways people in America can help refugees around the world and even practice a bit of Arabic! Websites mentione...

Episode Notes Today, we sit down with new author Dung Duong. Dung is an optics engineer, entrepreneur, and former Vietnamese refugee. He talks to us about his new book, Shifting Optics, and tells us about lessons he learned from his life and his career, as well as his hopes that listeners can look at life from a new perspective. To buy Dung's book, go here: https://www.amazon.com/Shifting-Optics-P...

Episode Notes Today, our very own Esha and Aidan review the 2007 documentary film Facing Sudan about the aftermath of the Sudanese Civil War. The story covers the war, the humanitarian fallout, the Lost Boys, and the genocide in Darfur. (Plus, Salva makes an appearance!) Esha and Aidan talk about their thoughts on the movie as well as what's changed since its release. For the latest updates on Sud...

Episode Notes This week, we talk with Mike Spence and Mowlid of Athletics United in Logan, Utah. Mike is the executive director of the program, and Mowlid is a student from Somalia who participates in it. They foster community building, especially offering resources and connections for the refugee students in their town. Mike and Mowlid tell us what the club does, how it helps, and what college st...

Episode Notes This week, we talk with musician Ephraim Bugumba, a Congolese refugee. He tells us about his family's incredible journey to safety after fleeing their home in 1999 following a massacre in their village and his life in the US. Ephraim also talks about the meaning behind his popular song "Stormz" and what is next for him musically. Ephraim is also a viral TikTok sensation. You can chec...

We interrupt our regular season to bring you this bonus interview with Mohammed Rafique. Mohammed is a student at the University of Waterloo, and he talks about his experience as a refugee from Myanmar and the desire of refugees to feel known and at home. He discusses his advocacy work with the Rohingya Association of Canada, his meeting with Justin Trudeau, his play I am Rohingya , and the docume...

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been in the news a lot lately with allegations of mistreatment of detainees. We're bringing you a summary of the allegations so far. This story is continually evolving, so we'll bring you updates as needed. Articles Referenced in this Episode: https://www.propublica.org/article/ice-guards-systematically-sexually-assault-detainees-in-an-el-paso-det...