When Christina Powell and her colleague came in to talk to the class, I was surprised that there was a lot I didn’t know about refugees coming to America and the process when doing so. This class period was very enlightening, and I wish we had more time to hear more of the stories, laws, and the efforts of Powell’s organization. It was great to hear from someone firsthand who is helping refugees and what goes into that. The resettlement coalition houses refugees, helps with the legal paperwork, gives stipends up to 3,000 dollars and more. Essentially, they provide the beginnings of a new life and provide further assistance like helping these refugees assimilate with our culture and the way of life here.
I learned that when refugees come here, they have a certain amount of time before they have to go back, or file for citizenship here. With the Biden Administration, it was said that in September 2021, the U.S. announced that the maximum number of refugees admitted to the country in 2022 will be increased to 125,000 — the highest number since 1993. This was reiterated by Powell in a graph as well as an explanation. I also learned that there is a difference between refugees and asylum seekers. An asylum seeker does not get the benefits that refugees do when entering the refugee resettlement coalition. They get no money, no resources, and essentially no help. When they come here, they have to figure it out on their own.
It was also nice to hear from someone from Afghanistan and hear their views on what has been going on over there. It was also crazy to learn that he cannot return since he has spoken out and against the Taliban. He stated it has been hard to learn our culture here in America and how every person seems to have a culture that is more specific to them than maybe another person.
From this presentation and from my classes I’ve taken this term-Global Studies, I’ve learned that here in America, sometimes the word refugee is not always seen in a postive light. I’ve been educated immensely in this term on why refugees are fleeing here to America and resettling. It can be because of many reasons such as political power, war, religion, ethnicity etc. America has been campaigned to be a place of freedom and welcoming and that is why they come here. They flee from a life that was not safe for them. I’ve seen many people, especially in the last eight years say that they are here to take our jobs. That is simply not true and totally misconceived. We Americans should put ourselves in their shoes, and I’m sure we would do the same.
I am honored I got to sit in that room and be educated on the Refugee Resettlement coalition and learn about the ways they are helping people feel welcome and get started here. It was amazing to here from the person themself about Afghanistan and what it’s like over there compared to here, and how he is helping Powell in a partnership.
