Front Line Stories

Across the Generations:
From War Torn Latvia to the University of Pennsylvania

When R. was born, WWII broke out in Europe, and the Nazis occupied her city of Riga, Latvia. R. suffered from malnutrition during the war torn years, which affected her whole life. Besides severe undernourishment, she had developmental problems, a learning disability, and memory problems. Nevertheless, she graduated from high school and college. She later married and had a daughter, but after her husband left her, raised her daughter as a single mother.

At the young age of 20, R's daughter emigrated to the U.S. She graduated from a university and became a successful computer programmer and analyst. After she married, she brought R and R's mother (her grandmother) to the United States.

R. wanted desperately to become a U.S. citizen, but because of her disabilities arising from WWII, she required assistance from HIAS and Council in the naturalization process. Through HIAS and Council's special project which assists the elderly and disabled, R was able to realize her dream of becoming a citizen.

The four generations of women in this family symbolize the strength of immigrant families. R and her mother survived the Nazis; R's daughter lead the way to family success and now R.'s granddaughter, the first US born of the family, is currently a student of the University of Pennsylvania.

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Amerasian Son of American Serviceman

HPM was born in Vietnam in 1968 to his Vietnamese mother and American Serviceman father. HPM's father was filled in action shortly after he was born. The only documentation the family has in an army blanket in which HPM's father sewed his name and U.S. Army number and gave it to HPM's mother. Although permitted to enter legally as a refugee, HPM never had the documentation he needed to apply to be a lawful permanent resident. HPM has lived in West Philadelphia for years but is not able to fully participate in civil or economic life. He is not eligible to apply for many government jobs. Because HPM does not have permanent status, he cannot apply for citizenship. HIAS and Council is assisting HPM obtain lawful permanent status so his immigration status is stabilized.

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Ethiopian Family Unites After Years of Separation

From the mid 80s to the early 90's Ethiopia was plunged into war when neighboring Eritrea sought independence. Thousands of family members were killed and over one million people were uprooted, and became refugees. The situation flared up again several years ago, and conditions in both Ethiopia and Eritrea remain harsh.

Two siblings, W.E. and sister T.E. were from a large family in Ethiopia were separated during this war; sadly, eight (8) family members were killed. W.E. and T.E. located each other after several years. W.E. was living in the United States and T.E. had fled to Germany. Through HIAS and Council's assistance, W.E. petitioned for her brother to come to the United States. After a 12 year wait (the current waiting time for all brother/sister petitions) HIAS and Council successfully reunited W.E. and T.E. As they have said themselves, all they have left is each other and they have been waiting and praying for this day. In the Jewish tradition, " when you save a life, it as if you save the entire world. " W.E. and T.E. give this tradition true meaning in today's world.

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Former Nun from Pakistan Attacked by Extremists

Sister J was a nun in Pakistan threatened by the fundamentalist Islamic group from her town. She fled to the United States where she applied for asylum. Since her arrival, several Christian schools and hospitals in Pakistan have been attacked by extremists. HIAS and Council recently won her case in court.

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Safe at Last- Georgian Family Wins Asylum

Mr. and Mrs. B, a family from the Georgia Republic, endured years of discrimination and misery because of Mr. B's Ossetian nationality. However, the situation grew intolerable when they took their infant to the state hospital and the baby was denied treatment because of their ethnic background. The denial of medical care caused an irreversible pulmonary condition. The family fled to the United States where they applied for asylum. The interviewing officer from the United States Immigration and Citizenship Service (USCIS) was close to tears as the family recounted their story. With the assistance of HIAS and Council, the family was granted asylum and now begins a new life in the U.S.

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Working in a New Land/Navigating the System

In 2002, when Mr. K emigrated to Philadelphia from Russia with his wife and two sons he was ready to roll up his sleeves, find a job and work to support the family. He turned to HIAS and Council to help resolve a major barrier to beginning a job-lack of a social security card and employment card. These documents are taken for granted by citizens, but without them, immigrants cannot join the workforce.

Mr. K and his family are known as "Public Interest Parolees" a special status given to religious minorities in the former Soviet Union. Although Public Interest Parolees are perfectly legal and have the right to work, they need to obtain an Employment Authorization Card issued by immigration officials in order to obtain a Social Security Number. Mr. K went to the local immigration office, now known as the United States Immigration and Citizenship Service (USCIS) to file for his Employment Card but his name and his Alien Number were not in the system and could not obtain his Card. Mr. K turned to HIAS and Council. He was very anxious as his family's financial well-being depended on resolving this problem. HIAS and Council's bi-lingual Russian-English staff contacted Intergovernmental Organization of Migration to obtain Mr. K's proper identification number. Mr. K. was able to obtain his Employment Authorization Card, obtain a social security number and his driver's license. He now works as a polisher in a construction firm and he and his family contribute to the local economy as workers and taxpayers.

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