2020 has not been easy. COVID-19, the ensuing economic crisis, nationwide protests resulting from systemic injustice, and an exhausting Presidential election have taken a toll on all of us.
For the most vulnerable in our communities, however, that impact is compounded due to barriers to equity and opportunity. For refugees that come to the United States to rebuild their lives, starting from scratch in the middle of multiple crises has been a herculean task. If not for the incredible work of Courageous Champions at Heartland Alliance’s Refugee & Immigrant Community Services (RICS) program, it would have been nearly impossible.
Samad, a RICS case manager and Rohingya refugee, sees these historic times through multiple lenses. He knows exactly what refugees face when they arrive in a new country, and knows what it takes to help them navigate the uncertainty of it all. But this year is also particularly special for Samad. Recently finalizing his American citizenship, he was able to participate in his first U.S. election.
“For me, this is history. I’m proud to have arrived here in the U.S., to change my life, and to be a citizen and vote.”
Samad was born stateless. The Burmese government has refused to acknowledge their Muslim minority population, forcing the Rohingya people to face a world without representation. But after a lifetime without a place to truly call home, Samad and his family were excited to take part in their new home-country’s most important actions.
For Samad, voting is more than just picking new representatives. He sees participating in democracy as a chance for him to represent his own people. He believes the U.S. is a country for all people, regardless of where they come from or what they believe. He has hope to see policies that support people like him in the future.
“I still have family living as refugees in Malaysia. It was a real fight to get family here, a lot of processing, and the process has only gotten slower. I believe that we have an opportunity to change that system, to build something more welcoming.”
Heartland Alliance believes in building equity and opportunity for all. During these next four years, we have an opportunity to change a system that has failed to serve some of our world’s most vulnerable people –refugees, people experiencing statelessness, and those without a home. For many refugees and immigrants, there is hope that our future will bring opportunity to build something more welcoming here in the U. S.– and serious solutions to address the refugee crisis around the world.
For Samad, that work began a long time ago. It started when he was still a refugee living in Malaysia, and it became a part of his purpose when he joined Heartland Alliance. It was given a foundation when he became a citizen. Now, as we face 2021, he believes that work has only just begun.
“Now is the time for us to use our voice, to find ways for the government to hear us,” Samad said. “We need the future leaders of our country to support refugees and do something that can help stateless people. We must rebuild the resettlement infrastructure and allow more people to resettle here.”
