What It Really Takes To Immigrate "The Right Way"
Added 2024-11-27 11:54:37 +0000 UTCOA1091 - We are honored to welcome Somali-American author and advocate Abdi Nor Iftin for the first of a 2-part Thanksgiving episode dedicated with gratitude to the incredible efforts that so many naturalized Americans have made to be a part of this country. Abdi has recorded the full story of his life in his book Call Me American, in which he details the long journey from his escape from being forced into service as a child soldier in war-torn Somalia to his years as a refugee in Kenya before winning the U.S. diversity visa lottery and building a thoroughly American life in one of the last states you might expect. In this extended interview we get to know Abdi as he shares his story and his unique perspective on what the current American moment means for him and his community.
Call Me American: A Memoir,: Abdi Nor Iftin (2018)
“Now is the time to buckle up and fight, not to flee,” Abdi Nor Iftin, The Forecaster (11/19/24)
“Abdi and the Golden Ticket,” This American Life (7/3/2015)
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Comments
I put myself forward for the lottery every year. and I know a couple of australians who have received their green card through it.
lauren
2024-11-28 16:29:32 +0000 UTCI remember listening to Abdi’s story on “This American Life” back when it first aired and again a year or two when they replayed it. His story never fails to pull out every emotion from me. The heartfelt joy of winning the chance at a new life, the fear and anxiety of him having to go into hiding while also trying to get to appointments, the anger of the blind indifference of bureaucracy. And then the shock of finding out he moved to my home state of Maine (but currently living in NH) I was so, so happy when I heard you two were able to bring him on for an interview, and these episodes do not disappoint!! Thank you both for all you do! And thank you Matt for bringing these types of stories to the forefront, and putting a personal touch on them that even a powerhouse like This American Life can never do.
cavalri
2024-11-28 12:13:21 +0000 UTCPeople who can successfully fill out our lottery paperwork are probably the smartest, most tenacious people in their country. Ever tried to get a copy of a 'proof of US citizen birth abroad' certificate. I've been putting it off for 9 years it's such a pain. These applicants know how to fight for their families.
We can feed everybody
2024-11-28 01:13:35 +0000 UTCI think we'll be doing a full episode on birthright citizenship and denatz issues within the next few weeks but I will just say generally that I am concerned by how uncritically the media has been covering all of this. Denaturalization is an extremely difficult process for the government (as it should be!) with very narrow legal grounds and an extremely high standard of law which the feds have to prove in front of an actual federal judge (and not an immigration judge, fortunately). For some context, Trump doubled the DOJ's denaturalization force and they still only managed to denatz 125 people in 4 years. P2025's only mention of denatz is a passing reference to how they need to continue to grow that unit. As for birthright citizenship, an injunction will issue immediately which will hold until SCOTUS decides it--and for reasons I'll share in full soon (and even knowing the current state of the court) I absolutely do not believe they have the votes for something that would be FAR more radical and far-reaching than Dobbs.
Matt Cameron
2024-11-27 19:59:59 +0000 UTCI just began listening to this episode and you start that it’s good news. BUT what Trump wants to do is alarming: https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2024/11/trump-end-birthright-citizenship-how-to-project-2025-mass-deportation/
Susan
2024-11-27 19:45:27 +0000 UTCI haven't listened yet but I'm ever so grateful y'all did this! I was just thinking yesterday about asking for exactly this information. Thanks bunches.
April Poff
2024-11-27 19:18:07 +0000 UTCI am only licensed in the US, so I can't provide legal advice or assistance for any other country's immigration system. But I do want to do an episode sometime soon with a UK and/or Canadian immigration lawyer just so that listeners can get an idea of what it takes to do that
Matt Cameron
2024-11-27 17:47:09 +0000 UTCSo do you have a miles program with any of the airlines??
Katie Byrum
2024-11-27 15:29:47 +0000 UTCRandom question, but do you exclusively work in immigration to the U.S., or have you / could you assist people immigrating to other countries ?
Gmork
2024-11-27 14:34:21 +0000 UTCWow what a story. I think I could listen to Abdi talk all day
Andrew W
2024-11-27 13:57:44 +0000 UTC
