Migration Story
Migration is an international movement to a different destination for a better
living condition. It is done due lack of good economy, safety, equality …etc. “As of 2017, 65.6 million
individuals have been forcibly displaced worldwide because of
persecution, conflict, violence, or human rights violations,
per the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)”.
Jalal
is one of those 65.6 million. He escaped his home country (Afghanistan) with
his family when he was four years old. In that time, there was war in
Afghanistan. Taliban, a group of people occupied large cities of Afghanistan
including Mazar Sharif where he lived. His father was a soldier in the military
and the Taliban were killing anyone who was related to the military. So, they
had to sell whatever they had and run away from Afghanistan. They went to
Pakistan because they had some families over there, and those families had the
same situation and escaped from the war in Afghanistan. They lived in Pakistan
for about a year. Because there were not good conditions for life, they had to
move somewhere else. They worked hard and made it to another country. They made
it to Iran, found a better place to live and made some friends. They lived for
a while in Iran and because of a misfortune, the economy in Iran was getting worse
and worse for refugees. So, they were looking for another place to continue
their normal life. It took a while and fortunately, they got an invitation
document from their Uncle who was living in Russia. They were so happy because
this time, they will go to an improved country and would not face any struggle.
Again, they had to work and borrow some money from their friends to cover their
transportation costs. They began to travel but, on their way, they get informed
that there is something wrong with their documents. So, it stopped them from
traveling to Russia but not making them give up about that country. They informed
their Uncle to fix the invitation documents so they can move to Russia. They got
their documents and moved to Russia and get settled there.
In 2001, after facing a lot of struggles,
Jalal and his family began a new life in Russia. Now, they are happy and think
that Russia is going to be their final home. Jalal’s dad enrolls him and his
younger brother Kamal to school and himself began a small business. Also, they
register themselves to UN organizations to get some supports. Their life was
going well, and they were expecting that they were going to be citizens in the appropriate
time (five years). After this time passes, new struggles shown up for Jalal and
his family. They completed five years of being permanent residents, but they could
not get their citizenship because of corruption. Anything could be done by bribe.
Not just that, another problem that they were facing was racism. Especially, Jalal
and his brother Kamal. They were getting assault for looking different. For example,
in school, people were saying them “You are not Russian” and making fun of them
by saying “Why you have black hair? “,. Jalal says, “It was hurting me a lot. Even
though my dad was reporting this issue to our school, it was happening repeatedly.
We didn’t have any choice except ignoring it and my dad didn’t want us to lose
our education right”. On the other hand, they had financial problems. Because
they were still residents, so they were not able to get the government’s aids.
And, Jalal’s father was not able to cover all expenses. These problems were
suffering them and once again they had to look for a better place. They were
looking for a place that can live freely, their children get an education and
not get disrespected. They shared their problems with (UN) organizations if
they can help them to find a better place to live. Fortunately, after a while
in 2008, they got a message from the UN organization that there is a chance for
you to go to the USA. They were so excited and happy that their life is going
to be changed. And, they are going to leave Russia where they did not have the right
of a normal resident. Once again, another struggle shows up. This chance was
not for whole family. Just, two members of the family could go to the USA. Now
they are six members in a family. Jalal, Kamal, Parents and two younger
siblings. Nobody cannot leave the family. Jalal, Kamal, and his siblings are
under 18 now and their parents cannot leave them alone. So, they had to apply
again. In 2013, They applied again and fortunately, their request got approved.
This time there was the same problem, just two members could go to the USA. The
good news was that Jalal and Kamal are over 18 and can travel by themselves and
live individually. So, they can invite the rest family after they become the USA
citizens. Both Jalal and Kamal moved from Russia to the USA in 2015 and now
they live in California.
Jalal is now in USA. With all struggles he faced from Afghanistan to Pakistan, Iran, Russia and finally getting to California. Now, he is happy and says, “USA is the place that he and his family were looking to move”. Especially, California. Here in California, he can find love and respect. He loves the government too. He is amazed at how America’s government is helpful. He says, “When I got here, I didn’t know a single word of English But I could get financial aid from the government and learn English,”. Now, his English can help him reach his goals. He has many goals. For now, he is trying to reach his career goal. He studies computer programming and wants to become a Software Engineer in the future. Most importantly, Since He came to the USA in 2015, He will be eligible to apply for citizenship this year and can begin the process of inviting his family from Russia. When his family gets here, his main life goal will be achieved.
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