About this Project

Eric Wanjamah has invited folks to participate in a really interesting discussion about the issue of mistreatment of refugees in Kenya:

Refugees- We Owe Them Care

One of the things that occured to me as the discourse was evolving is that it might be worthwhile to take a look at where this issue has presented itself before around the globe, and most especially at where there have been moments of breakthrough innovation to share.

We're collaborating in this workspace to gather resources and best practices on this issue:

Refugees

How Are Asylum-Seekers Different from Refugees?

Barbara Spalding pointed out that the term "refugees" only embraces one of two groups of people to whom the issues we're exploring apply. Here's what she shared:

"Most people refer to refugees as people who have had to flee their homeland for another country. At least in the U.S. the term refugee is a legal status. Some people come here with refugee status granted, and they have a social security no., are able to work, etc. Others come and apply for asylum. Their legal status is that of asylum-seeker. They have no social security no., receive no assistance from the gov't., and are not allowed to work. If they gain asylum, then they are a refugee. So, there are 2 groups to consider. Refugees are often a resource for asylum-seekers."

Therefore, I've opened this second workspace, and invite you to help cultivate it as a resource to keep track of places, projects, examples, resources, research materials and discourses specifically in support of asylum-seekers.

The Challenge

Discovering what works when it comes to empowering asylum-seekers and connecting them to resources that allow them to not only survive but thrive.

Examples of Breakthrough Innovation and Best Practices

1. Caring for Torture and War Trauma Survivors , a one day conference in Seattle on September 23.
2. Help for Heroes, a dropcash campaign to ease the suffering.

Questions and Comments

Please feel free to post questions or comments here ...

1. From Barbara-By definition, asylum-seekers can't thrive; they can only survive. They are on trial for their lives and they are separated from all loved ones. They are usually penniless and suffer severe symptoms of PTSD such as persistent nightmares and other intrusive reliving of the horrors they have been through. Immigration court is overbooked so it can take years before a final decision re: asylum is made. So, these victims wait and wait and wait while they fear what they are waiting for: a courtroom, a gov't attorney trying to prove they are lying, and a possible decision that will send them back to their torturers. It is all agony. Some spend all or most of this time in detention, a nice word for prision. They are kept in a federal detention center used solely for immigrants being either deported or "imported." One of my clients received his asylum recently after such years of turmoil. His wife and children have been in hiding in Greece all these years. They will be arriving in the U.S. in about 2 more months. All this agony came after many years of being brutally tortured because of his religion.