It is not an easy road—but hope is the oxygen of my life. These insightful words of Meron Semedar, a refugee from Eritrea, reflect the feelings of the eleven men and women featured in this book. These refugees share their extraordinary experiences of fleeing oppression, violence and war in their home countries in search of a better life in the United States.
Each chapter of Refugees in America focuses on an individual from a different country, from a 93-year-old Polish grandmother who came to the United States after surviving the horrors of Auschwitz to a young undocumented immigrant from El Salvador who became an American college graduate, despite being born impoverished and blind. Some have found it easy to reinvent themselves in the United States, while others have struggled to adjust to America, with its new culture, language, prejudices, and norms.
Each of them speaks candidly about their experiences to author Lee T. Bycel, who provides illuminating background information on the refugee crises in their native countries. Their stories help reveal the real people at the center of political debates about US immigration.
Giving a voice to refugees from such far-flung locations as South Sudan, Guatemala, Syria, and Vietnam, this book weaves together a rich tapestry of human resilience, suffering, and determination.
This book is an eye-opening view of refugees who are making their mark in America after suffering horrific treatment in their countries of origin. It puts a real face on human suffering across our world.
Refugees in America is succinct, yet moving and inspiring. This is an awesome and touching overview of the refugee experience told from the perspectives of individuals. Each refugee's account is poignant and makes a strong statement quickly and effectively. The book humanizes refugees beautifully, and really made me want to do more (read/learn/help) to understand and find ways to assist displaced people in our world.
The refugees’ stories, especially in their own words, are heart-wrenching and inspiring. The explanations that tie them together are dry and pedantic. I was especially moved by how many of them credited and exemplified the hard work it takes to survive and thrive in a foreign land.