Chicago Tribune: Refugees Who Have Settled in Chicago Feel Gratitude, Guilt Amid Immigration Crackdowns
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Any day now, Baraa Haj Khalaf will give birth to a baby boy, who will enter this world with the freedom and opportunity his refugee family has worked hard to attain.
The baby, due Aug. 2, will be born an American citizen, while his parents — who came to the U.S. in February 2017 after fleeing war-torn Syria — still await their green cards. He and his almost 3-year-old sister, Sham, will grow up speaking English, as their parents, aunt and uncles painstakingly learn the language and accent one class at a time at a local community college. |
Hopeful new beginnings. Unlimited potential.
From Liberia to Wilmette and Beyond
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It’s been a long journey for David Fahnbulleh; at the age of 7 his family fled war in Liberia. At 11, he and his family traded a refugee camp for the United States, settling first in Wilmette and then in Evanston.
Now he’s a 22-year-old soccer-loving Purdue University student set to graduate May 11 with a degree in construction management, and with a job awaiting him in Chicago after he gets his diploma. He is also the keynote speaker at a May 5 benefit for RefugeeOne. |
Bulabao and Ndaya: Building a Better Life
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Bulabao and his wife Ndaya fled the Democratic Republic of Congo in the midst of violence following a civil war. After 15 years of living in limbo in Zambia, the opportunity to be resettled in the U.S. finally provided them and their two sons a safe place to call home.
Having high level English skills (in addition to knowing two other languages!), Bulabao excelled through English language classes. Bulabao was employed at his first American job just three months after arriving in Chicago. |
VIDEO - RefugeeOne Reunites: The Story of Charles Safari
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RefugeeOne continues to welcome and reunite refugees fleeing war, terror, and persecution from around the globe. Refugee resettlement is critical for refugee families to be reunited, like the family of Charles Safari. RefugeeOne resettled Charles, his wife, and their children in 2014. In April, we helped reunite him with his mother and sister after 3 years of separation. |
