Gramercy

The top 7 reasons for displacement:

•  1) Persecution, be it racial, religious, political, or social.  
• 2) War, as we've witnessed in the news from places like Syria, Somalia, Afghanistan, and Iraq   
• 3) Climate Change - the UNHCR estimates that in 2018, 16.1 million people were displaced by weather related disasters and hazards precipitated by climate change.
• 4) Violation of Human Rights - this most often occurs when the wealthy and powerful elite become corrupt government agents who then stop supporting the social structures that provide for the poor. 
• 5) Poverty - this is also tied to governmental inadequacy, ineptitude, and greed. 
• 6) Hunger - most often due to drought, corruption and political instability and lastly,
• 7) gender and sexual orientation - 77 countries impose a death sentence on people solely for their sexual orientation.

If you are interested in going deeper and continuing your learning journey, there are a plethora of books to turn to. A few I have read and recommend are:

• American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins
• The Ungrateful Refugee by Nina Nayeri
• The Devil's Highway by Luis Alberto Urrera
• The Translator by Daoud Hari
• The Line Becomes a River by Francisco Cantu
• Of Beetles and Angels by Mawi Asgedom
• The Distance Between Us by Reyna Grande (children)
• Where the Wind Leads by Vinh Chung

Would you like to learn what Season 2 will be about and when it will be released? Then become a subscriber. You can subscribe by visiting Gramercy.us, scroll to the bottom of the page, and click the yellow subscribe button and fill in the form. If you have questions or comments for me or know of someone who would like to share their story I would love to hear from you. Feel free to reach out via my email address at: [email protected].  You can also find all of the books, instructions for subscription, and my email address in the show notes.

Resources: 

Climate Refugees: https://www.unhcr.org/news/briefing/2019/6/5cf61d304/unhcr-warns-growing-climate-related-displacement-somalia.html

Refugee Statistics: https://www.unhcr.org/en-us/figures-at-a-glance.html

UNCHR Global Trends: https://www.unhcr.org/globaltrends2019/

Email Me:

[email protected]

Frank is just a regular guy with an admittedly not-so-perfect track record, who found where he belonged. It just so happened that where he belonged was with immigrants and refugees. It was as much of a surprise to him as anybody. His love for "the other" drove him and his wife Carolyn to create a beautiful community in Denver called Project Worthmore. Even after 10 years of creating positive change in the community, it just keeps growing and including more and more people. Project Worthmore truly does reinforce the worth and value of each immigrant and refugee as they learn to navigate their way in a new country. They do this not only through offering English classes onsite but a dental clinic as well. They also partner with Denver Urban Gardens by maintaining DeLaney Community Farm which supports refugees through sustainable agriculture and community building. This farm and it's sister food share program not only provide jobs for refugees and immigrants, but also food for the entire community. 

The thing that I love so much about doing this podcast is meeting all the beautifully unique people there are in this world. Every story truly does matter. By listening, I'm learning. By listening, I'm telling people that they matter. By listening, I'm breaking down the barriers we all set up around us to keep us safe from vulnerability. I'm in effect saying, your story is safe with me, I will respect it and you because there is no them, just us. So sit back and relax as Frank shares his story which also turns out to be the story of Project Worthmore.

The quote that kept running through my mind while Frank was telling me all the ways that Project Worthmore works at building up the refugee community and all the people they serve was from the book, "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett. The character, Aibileen tells a young Mae Mobley who never hears such encouraging, beautiful words that "You is kind, you is smart, you is important." Reinforcing these ideas in people who have lost so much in their lives and come here feeling so worthless is of paramount importance. I'm so thankful to Frank for his vision of creating a space and a community that does just that. 

Frank actively works to give refugees the best opportunity in life they can possibly have. He realizes being forced to flee their country of origin does not make them less of a person. The circumstances they face in life grew compassion in his heart and birthed an organization with a vision to empower as many refugees and immigrants as possible. He purposefully finds ways to help refugees use the skills they already possess to help contribute to the community which is all any of us hope to do. 

Frank's Quote: Why cross the ocean when you can cross the street.

Project Worthmore
Emily Griffith Technical College
Denver Urban Gardens

Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition is a statewide, membership-based coalition founded in 2002. It encompasses all types of organizations from immigrant to business and faith to labor, basically any organization that wants to ally itself with their mission. Their goal is to improve the lives of immigrants and refugees by making Colorado a more welcoming, immigrant-friendly state. Thank you CIRC! They actively achieve this mission through non-partisan civic engagement, public education, as well as working as advocates for fair and humane immigration policies. Josh is  personally engaged in ending ICE notifications,  informing immigrants of their rights, increasing access to legal and community resources, and empowering movement leaders. He is a gentle, wise, old soul, in the body of a young man. But don't let that fool you...his passion for his job and for helping the immigrant community is non-stop as you are about to learn during our conversation.

I'm always intrigued how people come to do the work they end up devoting their lives to. Josh's story is so compelling. I love how random, chance relationships and encounters in his young adult life gradually built his understanding and awareness of immigration and the hardships it entails. I appreciate how he chose to channel that newfound awareness into dedicating his life to the cause of empowering and advocating for immigrants. 

If you would like to take a deeper dive into learning more about some of the CO state laws that CIRC has helped pass and repeal, please check out their website at ColoradoImmigrant.org. I love it when people come together to help each other. CIRC is a beautiful example of what can happen when people of like minds join together to promote the dignity of all human beings. That of course reminds me of something Nelson Mandela once said, "Our human compassion binds us the one to the other - not in pity or patronizingly, but as human beings who have learnt how to turn our common suffering into hope for the future." When we work towards a common cause, we help ease one another's burdens, show love across the divide, and accomplish more than we can alone. Thank you CIRC, may you have many more years and many more hands helping you achieve your beautiful vision

Josh's quote: 

To him who is given much, much is required - Luke 12:48

Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition

CIRC’s Vision

CIRC believes in the inherent dignity and human rights of every person, regardless of immigration status. CIRC envisions a society in which all people are treated with dignity and respect and have equal access to fair and just work, housing, health care, and education and the opportunity to live united with family members.

CIRC’s Goals

• Advocate for the rights of all immigrants and refugees and their families.
• Empower the immigrant community by supporting the formation of grassroots organizations.
• Promote leadership development within all immigrant communities.
• Increase public awareness about the social/economic contributions of immigrants.
• Educate the general community on the issues and realities of immigration.
• Strengthen collaboration among the diverse immigrant organizations and with groups that are discriminated against and marginalized in the broader community.
• Expand collaboration and coordination among immigrant organizations and allies.

Christian Karen are a persecuted minority and driven from their homeland.. Many of the ethnic cultures from Myanmar refer to their country as Burma. The US Dept of State uses Myanmar and Burma interchangeably.

Htee's story is tragic and beautiful all at the same time. During our conversation, I took a cautious path asking Htee about her experiences in the camp. You have to be sensitive to tread lightly and follow the interviewee's lead. Most camp residents have experienced horrors too heavy to bear, let alone voice. Trauma is a given. Yet Htee graciously pulled back the curtain and allowed us an inside peek into the realities of living in a refugee camp.

I was curious to learn more about the Karen ethnic group from Burma. I found a fantastic website from the Karen Organization of Minnesota. I'd like to read you a little of their history that will serve you well as you listen to Htee's story. "The Karen people began to inhabit what eventually became Burma about two thousand years ago. They traveled from Tibet and China and settled largely in the hills bordering the eastern mountainous region of Burma. In the 8th and 9th centuries, the Burmese also began migrating to the area north of what is now the Karen state. Ethnic groups around this region included the Mon, Shan, Thai, Burmese and Karen. When the British colonized Burma in 1886, these groups all became part of Burma.With the arrival of the British colonists to Burma, the Karen people hoped to escape oppressive rule under the Burmese. Tensions between the two groups reached a high point during World War II when the Karen sided with the British allies and the Burmese fought with the Japanese. Burma achieved independence from the British in 1948, but the Karen people were not granted rights to their own land, and the Burmese once again became the dominant ethnic groupThe military regime established in 1962 continues to oppress the Karen and other ethnic groups in Burma today. Burmese soldiers terrorize Karen villages every dry season by burning their villages, killing or torturing civilians, and raping women and girls.many Karen must flee across the border to refugee camps in neighboring Thailand. Life in the refugee camps is difficult and uncertain. The Thai government can reduce funding for or simply shut down refugee camps at its will, leaving the refugees with very few options. Refugees are not allowed to venture outside the crowded camps, and can be arrested by Thai police if caught. They must instead try to work and support themselves inside the camps while applying for resettlement to another country, which can take many years." 70% of Karen are Buddhist, Buddhist-animist, or animist. About 20% to 30% are Christian. In Htee's case, her parents converted to Christianity which forced them to flee over the border for their lives. 

Meeting Htee left a profound impact on me. The thing that has stayed with me since this interview was her lack of self pity for the circumstances in her life. She accepts what is, makes the most of, chooses to stay strong, and moves forward. Not only Htee, but her whole Karen community has also chosen this path and to encourage one another in it. It's as if she speaks for the group when she speaks for herself. She's living proof that everything can go wrong for you in life, yet you can still choose joy every day, you can still choose to get up and do your best even when you have to work twice as hard for your basic needs, you can still fight cancer even though it's not fair because you only just got a fair chance at life outside a refugee camp. That is a type of character I don't have, yet yearn for. That is a strength from deep inside that comes from having overcome obstacle after obstacle in life and lived to tell about it. That type of will power comes from knowing you're not alone, that your community and family stand with you and that there's strength surrounding you at all times. The Dalai Lama says, "It is worth remembering that the time of greatest gain in terms of wisdom and inner strength is often that of greatest difficulty." This is the secret to Htee's success. May we all choose to look for wisdom in the midst of our difficult moments in life, as Htee has.

Htee's Quote: Treat everybody the way that you treat yourself.

Karen History: https://www.mnkaren.org/history-culture/karen-history/

Karen in Burma/Myanmar: https://worldrelieffortworth.org/burma-myanmar-karen-cultural-profile

U.S. State Department on Burma/Myanmar: https://www.state.gov/statement-on-burma-myanmar/

African Community Center: https://www.acc-den.org/

Not only has Karin taught English as a Second Language in elementary, middle and high school, as well as university settings, she has also taught and lived in several countries throughout the world. I am thankful I got to know Karin during the last 3 years while teaching at The Immigrant and Refugee Center of Northern Colorado.

Obviously, Karin has a huge, tender heart towards the people to whom she devotes her life. She is constantly wanting to adapt and adjust her lessons to the needs of her current students. She stays abreast of on-going social and political climates in order to stay sensitive to what may be happening in her students' native countries as well as how the laws of our country affect them. As you just heard, teaching is more than just grammar...it is about embracing and empowering the whole person. When a student feels valued, heard, and respected, the learning flows naturally. Karin actively works at enabling these deeper connections with  her students. The word that comes to mind when I think of Karin is the word: awareness. Ekhart Tolle, a teacher of awareness, has the most simple yet relevant quote that strikes me as the way Karin lives her life: "Awareness is the greatest agent for change."

Karin's Quote: "No matter where you go, there you are." Buckaroo Bonzai

All about the TESOL certification process: https://www.tesol.org/

What a powerful story of tenacity, courage, and love. Her father took incredible risks because of love - what father wouldn't? Laura overcame great odds as a person without status to achieve her dream of higher education. But most importantly, she learned perseverance through her struggles and came out stronger because of them. Of course she gives back to her community in such palpable ways. Of course she seeks to help others, it's who her father encouraged her to be through his own life example. Thank you for reminding me of the beauty that comes when we persevere through the hard times.

I believe Maya Angelo captures the essence of who Laura is best when she says, “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.” May we all encounter defeats and choose to rise from them as Laura has.

Laura's Quote: "Love one another." John 13:34

Colorado Rapid Response Network Hotline: 1-844-864-8341

Laura's Documentary - "No One Shall Be Called Illegal" (https://vimeo.com/261595404)

What is DACA? https://www.fwd.us/daca-101/

DACA video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqzBfZ7oSZA

The Gaurdian Article about DACA: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jun/18/daca-dreamers-us-immigration-explainer

I honestly had no idea that immigrants paid taxes, in fact, I never really thought about it.. It was also news to me how much revenue those taxes generate. Equally surprising is the relatively small amount of social welfare consumed by immigrants. It is incredible the amount of power the media has to negatively or positively affect our opinion of an issue based on how they spin it. It's on us to research and find out if what we hear is true or not, especially in today's society of "alternative facts," conspiracy theories, and outright lies being substituted as news. Those who hold the power want to create fear in us about the issues we don't fully understand. But Fear divides. If we're afraid, we should lean in, learn more, ask questions, seek answers outside of our own echo chambers, educate ourselves, and make an effort to meet the people we've been told to fear. Only after doing the hard work for ourselves can we form our opinions from our experiences and our research. 

In effect, this is what this podcast is about, trying to learn more, seek answers, and ask people to teach me. Thank you for listening and joining me in this journey. You might be farther along than I am - thank you for your patience. Or you may be on the part of the path where you're still suspicious of what you hear and listen with critical ears. That's good too - thank you for giving this podcast a chance to help you reconsider certain issues.  Critical thinking about issues is imperative to good dialogue. As Paulo Freire says in Pedagogy of the Oppressed, "At the point of encounter there are neither ignoramuses or sages, there are only people who are attempting, together, to learn more than they now know." 

Rocio's Quote: "Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world." Howard Zinn

Autumn's Quote: "When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping." Fred Rogers

Carla's Quote:  by Emily Dickinson

If I can stop one heart from breaking,

I shall not live in vain;

If I can ease one life the aching,

Or cool one pain,

Or help one fainting robin

Unto his nest again,

I shall not live in vain.

References:

How many people receive asylum: https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/Refugees_Asylees_2017.pdf and https://trac.syr.edu/immigration/reports/588/

Fewer asylum applications being granted under Trump: https://trac.syr.edu/immigration/reports/588/

70 million people were displaced in 2019: https://www.unhcr.org/en-us/news/press/2019/6/5d03b22b4/worldwide-displacement-tops-70-million-un-refugee-chief-urges-greater-solidarity.html#:~:text=The%20number%20of%20people%20fleeing,people%20are%20now%20forcibly%20displaced.

How many refugees the US lets in in each year: https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/10/07/key-facts-about-refugees-to-the-u-s/

According to the U.S. Labor Department, in 2018, immigrants accounted for roughly 40 percent of the 2.4 million jobs that were added to the economy: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/ap-fact-check-trump-plays-on-immigration-myths#:~:text=Nearly%2064%20percent%20of%20immigrants,the%202.4%20million%20jobs%20added.

Immigrant-owned businesses with employees have an average of 11 employees: https://www.unidosus.org/issues/immigration/resources/facts#:~:text=Fact%3A%20Immigrants%20contribute%20to%20job%20creation.&text=Given%20that%20the%20average%20immigrant,jobs%20in%20the%20formal%20economy.

Statistics re: falling US birth rates: https://www.macrotrends.net/countries/USA/united-states/birth-rate

The ACLU has reported that immigrants pay about $90 billion in taxes every year. And they take about $5 billion in some form of welfare or social services. https://www.aclu.org/other/immigrants-and-economy

One study found that social security receives about $9 billion per year, just from undocumented workers. https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2016/09/undocumented-immigrants-and-taxes/499604/

Number of Fortune 500 companies started by immigrants or their children: https://www.newsweek.com/immigrant-founded-fortune-500-companies-us-gdp-1450498

Statistics regarding effect of immigrants on Colorado’s economy: https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/research/immigrants-colorado

Crime and incarceration rates for immigrant populations: https://www.policefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Appendix-D_0.pdf

Undocumented immigrants and rates of crime: https://www.themarshallproject.org/2019/05/13/is-there-a-connection-between-undocumented-immigrants-and-crime

Immigrant statistics:https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/research/immigrants-in-the-united-states#:~:text=10.7%20million%20undocumented%20immigrants%20comprised,member%20between%202010%20and%202014.

Today's episode is the first in a two part series on immigration law. I had the pleasure of interviewing Autumn Nelson, Rocio Rivera and Carla Crapster - the incredible trio from the law firm: The Lawyer Lady in Longmont, CO . They were so gracious to sit down with me and explain in very practical terms what the general public needs to know when it comes to better understanding immigration in the United States. This interview is full of incredibly useful information that can help us respond to the top three prevalent myths of immigration. This conversation might change what you think you already know about immigration. Speaking of knowing, I just read a quote this past week from the historian Daniel Boorstin who said, "The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge." Who better to gain accurate knowledge from than from experts in their field.

These amazing women have incredible stories of their own to share. Their personal histories are just as inspiring as the work they do. What you do so often stems from who you are. These ladies are full of compassion, curiosity, drive, empathy, and knowledge. This well of character that springs forth from each of them is apparent in the intensity of work they provide for each client, the amount of devotion and effort they exert, as well as the reservoir of compassion they bestow on all who have the pleasure of meeting and working with them. 

In Part One I'll introduce you to my guests and we'll learn what prompted each of them to devote their careers to immigration law. Then we'll  tackle the first first myth which is: "There is a "right" way to immigrate to the United States." Join me as we take the plunge and increase our understanding of immigration law. 

Although Idriss is from Kenya, his roots are Somali. Through the course of research for this episode, I learned that Somali people occupy all of Somalia, Somaliland, the northern part of Djibouti, north-western Kenya, and the Ogaden region of Ethiopia. Somalis practice Islam which has been an integral part of society for 14 centuries. It is a major influence in their daily lives as you will hear from Idriss' story.

I love how I never know where my conversations will go with each of my guests. Although I have questions prepared ahead of time, I love staying open to the flow of conversation that happens organically. That was definitely the case during my time with Idriss. In today's episode, Idriss explains in detail the religious education children in his community received. He speaks with such appreciation and adoration of this training that I gained a new admiration for something I previously knew nothing about. We also tackle the importance of education and being kind to strangers. I love seeing the world through Idriss' eyes.

We could have talked for hours. Actually, we did, but we only recorded a small sample of our time together. It was such a delight to get to know this wise young man and to listen to his perspectives on everything from politics to soccer and slavery to MLK jr.  My most valuable lesson came when Idriss said he was most thankful for his mother. I was stunned, it was not the answer I was expecting. It was apparent that the absence of his mother in his life from the age of 8 onward left a gaping void. Yet the paradox is that it also enabled the family to have greater upward mobility. I can't imagine how that sacrifice felt for his mother. Yet, Iat that tender age, Idriss already had eyes to see that out of something bad, something good can arise. He chose thankfulness for his mother's immense sacrifice. He didn't blame her because he knew it was for the greater good. 

He is passionate, teachable, wise, and eager to help and learn. It became apparent to me early on that Idriss truly lives as Rumi, the 13th century theologian declares so poetically, "Live life as if everything is rigged in your favor." From his contagious smile, out-going personality, alacrity to help where needed, ability to express himself and be a voice for the voiceless, and his immense gratitude for life, I am a better person for having met Idriss and learned from how he lives his life. May we all choose to live as though life was rigged in our favor.

Idriss' quote:  Patience is more bitter than absinthe oil, but when it pays it is sweeter than honey.

Idriss' Published Article: https://www.greeleytribune.com/2019/08/13/idriss-siyat-we-have-a-white-supremacy-gun-problem/

Article featuring Idriss: https://www.greeleytribune.com/2020/07/11/immigrant-and-refugee-center-and-high-plains-library-district-recognized-for-work-during-pandemic/

Article featuring Idriss: https://www.greeleytribune.com/2020/03/16/census-participation-vital-for-immigrant-refugee-communities/

Somali People: https://theculturetrip.com/africa/articles/an-introduction-to-the-somali-people/

Somaliahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_in_Somalia and Islam: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_in_Somalia

 Our boys became best friends in elementary school  ushering in lasting family bonds. Since those early years, my family has moved to two different states. Yet our friendship remains strong. Our boys have celebrated high school graduations with each other. Our families have vacationed together. I think you get the picture. This is my friend. I value this gift in my life. I have learned so much from Rama and his wife. And I'm thrilled he's here with us today to share his story.

Before we begin, I'd like to dispel a myth about immigrants. When the word immigrant comes to mind, do you think of an impoverished, down-on-their luck foreigner, from a lower, socioeconomic class than yourself? Most people do. The ones that immediately pop into our minds are the ones most often fleeing for their lives from oppression, abject poverty, or extreme violence. I admit that I used to think that way before I met people who dispelled this myth. 

Immigrants to our country come from all socioeconomic backgrounds. Many come here on a work visa and love it so much they apply to be a permanent resident. Others come as international students who end up applying for work visas after graduating from a U.S. university and make a successful life for themselves here. 

According to a migrationpolicy.org article, "Indian immigrants have much higher educational attainment compared to the foreign- and U.S.-born populations. In 2015, 77 percent of Indian adults had a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to just 29 percent of all immigrants and 31 percent of native-born adults. Notably, among college-educated Indian immigrants, more than half had an advanced degree."  Did you know that "2.4 million Indian immigrants reside in the United States as of 2015. This makes the foreign born from India the second-largest immigrant group after Mexicans, accounting for almost 6 percent of the 43.3 million foreign-born population."

So why am I talking with Rama? Admittedly, he doesn't feel marginalized and this is a podcast about those living on the margins of society. But if you consider the margins to include minority populations, he would fit that category. To be honest, I never considered him marginalized. I only ever thought of him as a friend. I had to ask him if he ever experienced discrimination. His answer might surprise you, it did me. 

Rama's perspective reminds us that not everyone is affected by discrimination the same. It's important to remember and respect that each person experiences discrimination differently. I really appreciate how Rama chooses to give people the benefit of the doubt when a comment or gesture thrown at him could be taken as offensive. He chooses not to take it that way and offers kindness and understanding in return. I wish for that strength of love for my fellow human. But he also recognizes discrimination as legitimate and serious when the comment, offense, or action happens repeatedly. 

I  was so convicted about our call to greater self-reflection - that is always a good thing.I  also really like his reference to how we tend to live in our own bubbles unless we seek each other out and ask about their opinions and experiences. I love his call for us to break open our bubbles and learn to integrate and appreciate each other.

My conversation with Rama reminded me of something Eckhart Tolle says, "Non-reaction is not a weakness but a strength. Another word for it is forgiveness. To forgive is to overlook or look through. You look through the ego to the sanity that is in every human being as his/her essence." I see this strength in Rama.  May we all find opportunities to show this kind of forgiveness in our lives.

Rama's Quotes:

1. "In is the only way out." -Sadhguru

2. "Begin with the end in mind." - Franklin Covey

Indian Immigrants in the U.S: https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/indian-immigrants-united-states

Key Findings About U.S Immigrants: https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/06/17/key-findings-about-u-s-immigrants/

U.S Work Visas and Requirements: https://www.thebalancecareers.com/types-of-us-work-visas-and-requirements-2064322