Spotlights people who escaped war, torture and persecution and introduces…
This Is Home
- Description
- Reviews
- Citation
- Cataloging
- Transcript
THIS IS HOME is an intimate portrait of four Syrian refugee families arriving in America and struggling to find their footing. With only eight months of help from the International Rescue Committee to become self-sufficient, they must forge ahead to rebuild their lives in a new home: Baltimore, Maryland. They attend cultural orientation classes and job training sessions where they must 'learn America' — everything from how to take public transportation to negotiating new gender roles.
When the newly imposed travel ban adds further questions and complications, their strength and resilience are put to the test. Through humor and heartbreak, this universal story illuminates what it's like to start over, no matter the obstacles. THIS IS HOME goes beyond the statistics, headlines, and political rhetoric to tell deeply personal stories, putting a human face on the global refugee crisis.
"I have watched several documentaries on Syrian refugees - this is the best. A delightful, humorous and honest film. We cheer on four families as they race against time to settle, learn English and find jobs before eight months of state assistance run out. Tears came to my eyes only a few times; this is not a tear jerker. I laughed more often. Some I wanted to hug, others I wanted to shake by the collar to explain that they must fall in line with American customs or sink. This film reminds you that whether refugee or ordinary American, we are all in this together." Joshua Landis, Professor and Chair, Middle East Studies, Director, Center of Middle East Studies, University of Oklahoma, Editor, Syria Comment newsletter
"Powerful...Allows an exceptional intimacy to develop between the audience and the subjects...The children make friends. Teenagers get into college. No one is a villain here. People are kind. But Shiva, in this quiet, thoughtful film, has given us a gift in laying bare the extremity of their transition. The more she illuminates the nuances, the better we see." Eve MacSweeney, Vogue
"This is Home succeeds in showcasing the gradual social and cultural changes, including the emotional transformations, the refugees have undergone in adapting to their new homeland. It also brilliantly and subliminally shatters the publicized stereotype that Syrian refugees are a threat to American security and culture. The image of the 'other' is delicately yet seamlessly transposed into one accepted, supported and fitted into the fabric of American society." Dr. Robert Rabil, Professor of Political Science, Florida Atlantic University, Author, Syria, the United States, and the War on Terror in the Middle East
"Affecting...Addresses early relief, initial confusion, fluctuating states of peace and homesick despair, and the small joys that come with knowing one can adapt." Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times
"Freedom and the hope for a peaceful and prosperous family life is an intoxicating goal. This Is Home captures the struggle for all this. As America turns inward the freedom this country offers fades. This important film brings home how policy affects human beings. A must see film." David M. Crane, Professor of Practice, Syracuse University, Founder, Syrian Accountability Project, The IamSyria Campaign
"America and Americans are many things, but I was reminded of how simultaneously bewildering, charming, generous and scary this place can be." Susanna Schrobsdorff, Time
"A compelling glimpse into the lives of several Syrian refugee families resettled in Baltimore, MD and the challenges of building a new life in exile while still dealing with the trauma of war. It poignantly depicts how these refugees — with grace, dignity, and humor — overcome culture shock, language barriers, homesickness, and bigotry to forge a new life in America. This film is necessary viewing for understanding how the ordeal of being a refugee continues after being granted asylum." Dr. Faedah Totah, Associate Professor of Political Science, Virginia Commonwealth University
"An intimate portrait of the global immigration crisis on a person-to-person level." Chris Osterndorf, The Daily Dot
"An engaging, respectful, and realistic account of refugee resettlement in America...A must-see in classes engaging refugeeism and resettlement as well as for communities interested in learning more about the realities and challenges of resettlement for newly arrived refugees. The documentary's unobtrusive focus on the role of refugee resettlement agency staff (such as case managers, employment specialists, and interpreters), the support from faith communities (such as local churches), as well as the social, cultural and psychological challenges facing refugee men, women and children (gender roles, parent child dynamics, trauma, and homesickness) allows the story to tell so much, but without judgement or generalizations...This remains, throughout, the story of how four specific families engage in the universal struggle for dignity and hope in a new home." Dr. Diya Abdo, Associate Professor of English, Founder/Director, Every Campus A Refuge, Guilford College
"Give[s] a face to the faceless by putting viewers — no matter their political opinions — in the center of the most personal of moments these families endure." Meghan Giannotta, amNewYork
"If you really care to know about the lives of refugees who are coming to the US now and how they adjust to their new home, you must see this documentary. This is a poignant record of the gap between good intentions of the hosts and everyday realities of the refugee families. Reaching 'home' involves a long, hard journey." Dr. Bandana Purkayastha, Professor, Sociology, Asian American Studies, University of Connecticut
"Brilliant...Heartbreaking...In this political moment of anti-immigrant hysteria, This is Home is a needed reminder of the many insecurities refugees confront and of the moral and political necessity of supporting them." Dr. Samer Abboud, Associate Professor, Global Interdisciplinary Studies, Villanova University, Author, Syria
"Warm, personable...Hopeful, positive...This Is Home offers constructive counterpoint that dilutes the strident nativist voices of those who would demonize refugees as vulnerable candidates to become radicalized or engaged as terrorists." Les Roka, The Utah Review
"An excellent introduction into the challenges Muslim refugee families face...Illustrates the day-to-day cultural and emotional issues that mothers, fathers, and children confront as they try to survive and succeed in their resettlement. The film is a must-see resource especially for classes dealing with social work, human services, community studies, and the sociology of the family." Nestor Rodriguez, Professor of Sociology, The University of Texas at Austin
"Stirring...A heartening call for open-armed empathy in an America still guarded on that front." Guy Lodge, Variety
Citation
Main credits
Shiva, Alexandra (film producer)
Shiva, Alexandra (film director)
Megrue, Lindsey (film producer)
Other credits
Editor, Toby Shimin; director of photography, Laela Kilbourn; original music, T. Griffin.
Distributor subjects
American Studies; Anthropology; ESL; Film Studies; Global Issues; Human Rights; Humanities; Immigration; Middle Eastern Studies; Migration and Refugees; Multicultural Studies; Political Science; Race and Racism; Social Justice; Social Psychology; Social Work; SociologyKeywords
Sundance, global refugee crisis, Syrian refugees, Syria, International Rescue Committee, IRC, Baltimore, cultural orientation, public transportation, changing gender roles, travel ban, finding a job, job preparation, driving lesson, church supper, homesick, Homs, learning English, interpreters, job placement, groceries, grocery store, caseworker, resettlement, mechanic, car repair, employment program, torture, prison, social security card, Jordan, bombing, fighting, asylum, refugee status, permanent resident, EAD card, ceramics, construction, tiles, tile-setter, Arabs, Arabic, medical clinic, psychological trauma, sand tray play therapy, I94, Syrian support group, American Dream, deportation, police, family mentor, UMBC, newcomer project, group therapy, Syrian rap singer, citizenship, fundraiser, catering, truck driver, school; "This is Home"; Bullfrog Films
THIS IS HOME: A Refugee Story - Transcript
00:00:06.750 --> 00:00:11.166
♪♪
00:00:14.291 --> 00:00:15.875
- Where are you from?
00:00:15.875 --> 00:00:18.125
- Huh?
00:00:18.125 --> 00:00:19.125
- Where are you from?
00:00:19.125 --> 00:00:21.291
- Where are you from?
- Where from?
00:00:21.291 --> 00:00:24.333
- Are you from Iraq?
00:00:24.333 --> 00:00:25.667
No?
00:00:25.667 --> 00:00:29.166
Where are you from?
- Where from?
00:00:30.041 --> 00:00:33.333
- Afghanistan?
Where are you from?
00:00:33.333 --> 00:00:34.792
- Where from?
00:00:34.792 --> 00:00:36.250
- Syria?
- Syria, yeah.
00:00:36.250 --> 00:00:38.875
- Syria.
- You are from Syria?
00:00:38.875 --> 00:00:42.083
Syria, say, "I am from Syria."
00:00:42.083 --> 00:00:43.500
Say, "I am."
00:00:43.500 --> 00:00:45.875
- I am Syria.
- "From Syria."
00:00:45.875 --> 00:00:47.667
- I am from Syria.
00:00:47.667 --> 00:00:50.375
- Very good, Syria.
00:00:50.375 --> 00:00:52.583
And then you speak Arabic,
right?
00:00:52.583 --> 00:00:53.750
Arabic?
- Arabic?
00:00:53.750 --> 00:00:55.166
- You speak Arabic,
your language?
00:00:55.166 --> 00:00:56.500
- Do you speak Arabic?
- Arabic--
00:00:56.500 --> 00:00:58.083
You speak Arabic, right?
Say, "I speak--"
00:00:58.083 --> 00:01:00.667
- Do you speak English?
- Yes, I speak English,
00:01:00.667 --> 00:01:01.709
but I do not speak Arabic.
00:01:01.709 --> 00:01:04.417
Do you speak Arabic?
- Anna, do you speak Arabic?
00:01:04.417 --> 00:01:06.166
- Do you speak Arabic?
Say yes.
00:01:06.166 --> 00:01:08.667
- Yes.
Do you speak Arabic?
00:01:08.667 --> 00:01:09.709
Yes.
- I am--
00:01:09.709 --> 00:01:12.875
I speak Arabic.
Arabic.
00:01:13.375 --> 00:01:15.875
Okay, any...
00:01:17.500 --> 00:01:21.875
♪♪
00:02:09.709 --> 00:02:10.667
(phones ringing)
00:02:10.667 --> 00:02:12.208
- How are you prepared
for their arrival today?
00:02:12.208 --> 00:02:14.750
- I'm fine.
- This is for today
and this is for tomorrow.
00:02:14.750 --> 00:02:18.000
One, two, three, four.
All these people arriving.
00:02:18.000 --> 00:02:19.500
(phone ringing)
00:02:19.500 --> 00:02:21.208
They're coming at 12:30.
00:02:21.208 --> 00:02:23.417
They're supposed to be here.
00:02:23.417 --> 00:02:25.208
(phone ringing)
00:02:25.208 --> 00:02:26.083
(phone alert)
00:02:26.083 --> 00:02:29.083
Okay, let's see.
Okay, I'm coming.
00:02:29.083 --> 00:02:31.542
Do you have five
or you have seven?
00:02:31.542 --> 00:02:33.750
You should have five.
00:02:46.000 --> 00:02:47.125
When people come to us,
00:02:47.125 --> 00:02:50.125
they have eight months
to be self-sufficient,
00:02:50.125 --> 00:02:52.250
and that eight-month clock
starts
00:02:52.250 --> 00:02:54.667
from the moment of arrival.
00:02:54.667 --> 00:02:55.500
- Hello!
00:02:55.500 --> 00:02:57.750
(Sawsan)
- It's very intense.
00:03:02.458 --> 00:03:05.583
- Let me begin
by telling you the purpose
of cultural orientation.
00:03:05.583 --> 00:03:08.208
One of the purposes is
to help you build life skills
00:03:08.208 --> 00:03:12.417
that you will need during
your first eight months
in America.
00:03:12.417 --> 00:03:16.041
(speaking Arabic)
00:03:17.250 --> 00:03:19.125
- Can you think of some times
when you might need
00:03:19.125 --> 00:03:20.917
to say your address
in English?
00:03:20.917 --> 00:03:23.166
Hello, 9-1-1?
- Police.
00:03:23.166 --> 00:03:24.125
- Police, okay?
00:03:24.125 --> 00:03:26.625
- So now I'm gonna have you all
introduce yourself
00:03:26.625 --> 00:03:28.792
to both the class and to me.
00:03:28.792 --> 00:03:30.875
- Hello, my name is Maria.
00:03:30.875 --> 00:03:32.125
I am from Syria.
00:03:32.125 --> 00:03:33.834
In my country,
I was a student.
00:03:33.834 --> 00:03:37.166
- I want to know more
about getting a job.
00:03:37.166 --> 00:03:39.458
Um, and also maybe after that,
00:03:39.458 --> 00:03:42.625
I want to get back
to the university.
00:03:42.625 --> 00:03:44.667
(woman)
- We have a lot of families
coming this month,
00:03:44.667 --> 00:03:48.875
so there will be a lot more
Syrian families
in the neighborhood.
00:03:49.458 --> 00:03:52.500
Yes, here.
Yes.
00:03:52.500 --> 00:03:54.000
- You have to be willing
to accept
00:03:54.000 --> 00:03:57.834
the first job
that's offered to you.
00:04:23.709 --> 00:04:28.125
♪♪
00:04:33.583 --> 00:04:36.500
(train whistle blows)
00:04:45.583 --> 00:04:47.917
(vehicle door closes)
00:04:47.917 --> 00:04:50.709
(dogs barking in distance)
00:04:54.542 --> 00:04:57.000
(knocking)
00:05:00.375 --> 00:05:03.083
- Hello.
- Hello.
00:05:09.792 --> 00:05:12.125
(Rebecca)
- Okay, I'm gonna call
an interpreter.
00:05:12.125 --> 00:05:15.959
(automated voice on phone)
-You entered August 1, 1981.
00:05:15.959 --> 00:05:20.750
(Rebecca)
- I'm going to activate
his food stamp card.
00:05:28.917 --> 00:05:30.458
-Your card is ready to use.
00:05:30.458 --> 00:05:35.709
- All right.
Me and you go to grocery.
00:05:35.709 --> 00:05:37.750
Yes. Yeah.
00:05:37.750 --> 00:05:40.750
Okay, let's go.
- Okay.
00:05:47.333 --> 00:05:49.041
(engine turns over)
00:06:17.291 --> 00:06:19.542
- Vegetables.
00:06:22.125 --> 00:06:25.125
Potato?
Yeah, let's go get some.
00:06:25.125 --> 00:06:25.625
- Okay.
00:06:25.625 --> 00:06:27.375
(automated voice on phone)
-Please continue to hold
00:06:27.375 --> 00:06:29.083
for the next available
interpreter.
00:06:29.083 --> 00:06:31.750
(woman on phone)
-Hello, this is an interpreter
for Arabic.
00:06:31.750 --> 00:06:35.709
- Hi, uh, my client's with me.
We're in the grocery store.
00:06:35.709 --> 00:06:39.458
I might just need you
to figure out what he needs.
00:06:39.458 --> 00:06:43.083
Let me have you on hold
for right now.
00:06:51.625 --> 00:06:52.625
- Oh, wow.
00:06:52.625 --> 00:06:54.417
- So I'm just
gonna explain how
00:06:54.417 --> 00:06:57.875
to, um, read the prices.
00:07:03.875 --> 00:07:05.542
- Okay.
00:07:10.250 --> 00:07:11.834
Uh...
00:07:17.291 --> 00:07:18.500
-With the milk?
00:07:18.500 --> 00:07:19.208
- Milk, yeah.
00:07:19.208 --> 00:07:22.792
So, for milk,
we have full fat.
00:07:22.792 --> 00:07:23.875
It's gonna be this one.
00:07:23.875 --> 00:07:25.458
And then we have
reduced-fat milk
00:07:25.458 --> 00:07:30.041
and then we have low-fat milk
and then no fat.
00:07:30.041 --> 00:07:32.458
Yeah.
No, we don't want that.
00:07:36.166 --> 00:07:39.834
-Ah, you--
I mean, "I need yogurt."
00:07:39.834 --> 00:07:40.959
- Yogurt, okay.
00:07:40.959 --> 00:07:42.250
Plain yogurt, Greek yogurt.
00:07:42.250 --> 00:07:46.959
This one is plain and all these
other ones have flavors.
00:07:52.500 --> 00:07:55.458
-So, uh, we are used to,
in Syria,
00:07:55.458 --> 00:08:00.625
having yogurt, uh,
from, like, lamb.
00:08:00.625 --> 00:08:01.500
- From the lamb, yeah.
00:08:01.500 --> 00:08:03.166
-Like a goat, goat,
made from goat.
00:08:03.166 --> 00:08:06.000
- Greek yogurt is the best
we're gonna get.
00:08:06.000 --> 00:08:09.959
- Okay.
- So let's do the cheaper one.
00:08:09.959 --> 00:08:13.375
(ice cream truck music playing)
00:08:13.375 --> 00:08:17.834
♪♪
00:08:17.834 --> 00:08:20.125
(doorbell rings)
00:08:38.291 --> 00:08:40.166
- Okay?
- Okay.
00:08:47.291 --> 00:08:48.750
- Okay.
00:09:17.709 --> 00:09:19.000
- Hi.
- Hi.
00:09:19.000 --> 00:09:21.208
- Hi?
00:09:21.208 --> 00:09:23.667
(laughter)
00:09:28.083 --> 00:09:29.041
- Hi, how are you?
00:09:29.041 --> 00:09:30.583
- Hi.
- What's your name?
00:09:30.583 --> 00:09:32.166
- Omar.
- I am Linda.
00:09:32.166 --> 00:09:33.000
- Omar?
- Omar.
00:09:33.000 --> 00:09:35.583
And what is your name?
- Linda.
00:09:35.583 --> 00:09:37.208
- Linda.
00:09:38.000 --> 00:09:40.125
And what's your name?
- Ahmad.
00:09:40.125 --> 00:09:41.083
- Ahmad.
And you?
00:09:41.083 --> 00:09:43.750
- My name is Sedra.
- Sedra.
00:09:45.125 --> 00:09:46.917
- Uh, how are you?
- Mm-hmm.
00:09:46.917 --> 00:09:48.875
- My from Syria.
- Mm-hmm.
00:09:48.875 --> 00:09:50.917
- Nice to meet you.
00:09:50.917 --> 00:09:53.000
Nice to meet you, too.
- Nice to meet you, too.
00:09:53.000 --> 00:09:55.709
Hi, how are you?
What's your name?
00:09:55.709 --> 00:09:57.875
- My name is Omar.
- Mm-hmm.
00:09:57.875 --> 00:10:00.291
- My from is Syria.
00:10:00.291 --> 00:10:01.333
- Mm-hmm.
00:10:01.333 --> 00:10:04.166
- Nice to meet you.
- Nice to meet you.
00:10:05.041 --> 00:10:08.333
- Nice to meet you too.
- Nice to meet you too.
00:10:08.875 --> 00:10:11.291
- My name is Mohamad.
- Your name is Mohamad.
00:10:11.291 --> 00:10:13.083
- My from...
- My from...
00:10:13.083 --> 00:10:16.333
- ...is Syria.
- ...is Syria.
00:10:16.834 --> 00:10:18.959
- Nice...
- Nice to meet you.
00:10:18.959 --> 00:10:20.750
- Mm-hmm.
00:10:20.750 --> 00:10:22.166
Nice to meet you, too.
00:10:22.166 --> 00:10:23.500
- Yeah.
00:10:28.375 --> 00:10:29.542
- Uh, Linda.
- Linda.
00:10:29.542 --> 00:10:32.625
- I am Linda.
- How are you, Linda?
00:10:34.125 --> 00:10:35.500
- Good.
- Okay.
00:10:35.500 --> 00:10:36.375
Nice to meet you.
00:10:36.375 --> 00:10:39.125
- Nice to meet you, too.
- Nice to meet you.
00:11:13.458 --> 00:11:14.875
- No.
00:11:18.291 --> 00:11:20.166
(door opens)
00:12:06.208 --> 00:12:07.500
(phone ringing)
00:12:07.500 --> 00:12:09.375
(woman)
- IRC, may I help you?
00:12:09.375 --> 00:12:12.041
(indistinct chatter)
00:12:12.375 --> 00:12:14.458
- 17 things you need to know?
00:12:14.458 --> 00:12:16.083
I can give it to you in Arabic.
- Yeah.
00:12:16.083 --> 00:12:18.458
- 'Cause I think they need
to know what's--
00:12:18.458 --> 00:12:21.125
what's, like,
the basic service and stuff.
00:12:21.125 --> 00:12:22.709
I will get you the document.
I'll give you--
00:12:22.709 --> 00:12:25.291
I give it to them in Arabic
and they can understand it.
00:12:25.291 --> 00:12:26.792
- Yeah.
- Yeah, I'll give it to you.
00:12:26.792 --> 00:12:27.750
- Okay, thank you.
00:12:27.750 --> 00:12:30.417
(indistinct chatter)
00:12:40.542 --> 00:12:44.166
- Do you want me to bring it
to you or can you carry it?
00:14:33.125 --> 00:14:36.000
(electronic voice)
-Extra small.
00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:38.166
Extra small.
00:14:43.583 --> 00:14:46.208
-The dog eats.
00:14:46.667 --> 00:14:47.709
(phone chimes)
00:14:47.709 --> 00:14:49.500
I eat vegetables.
00:14:49.500 --> 00:14:51.625
(phone chimes)
00:15:08.792 --> 00:15:11.417
(door buzzer)
00:15:14.709 --> 00:15:15.959
- Hello.
- Hello.
00:15:15.959 --> 00:15:17.583
- Hi, everybody.
- Hi, Cate.
00:15:17.583 --> 00:15:19.083
How are you?
- Good, how are you?
00:15:19.083 --> 00:15:21.750
- Good, thank you.
- You got a haircut.
00:15:21.750 --> 00:15:24.166
- What?
- You got a haircut.
00:15:24.166 --> 00:15:26.208
- Yes.
- Okay.
00:15:26.208 --> 00:15:28.875
Looks good.
- Thank you.
00:15:28.875 --> 00:15:33.667
- I was hoping we could do
some kindergarten words.
00:15:33.667 --> 00:15:34.458
"Am."
- I am.
00:15:34.458 --> 00:15:37.875
I am 14 years old.
- Very good, perfect.
00:15:37.875 --> 00:15:39.041
Madiha.
- He.
00:15:39.041 --> 00:15:41.834
- He.
- He... he.
00:15:41.834 --> 00:15:43.792
- He?
He what?
00:15:43.792 --> 00:15:44.834
- He...
00:15:44.834 --> 00:15:45.875
- He my husband.
00:15:45.875 --> 00:15:48.417
- He is my husband.
Is.
00:15:48.417 --> 00:15:49.750
"To be" is the verb.
00:15:49.750 --> 00:15:52.417
I am, you are, he is.
00:15:52.417 --> 00:15:55.291
(Madiha narrating in Arabic)
00:15:59.291 --> 00:16:02.375
- Go.
- He, she, it want.
00:16:02.375 --> 00:16:03.000
- "Went."
00:16:03.000 --> 00:16:05.834
(Madiha narrating in Arabic)
00:16:08.750 --> 00:16:12.041
- I-N-G, present.
- Yes.
00:16:17.083 --> 00:16:21.500
♪♪
00:16:33.750 --> 00:16:37.792
- Um, do we have... Diombe?
00:16:37.792 --> 00:16:39.291
No.
00:16:40.583 --> 00:16:42.959
- Let's go right over here.
00:16:42.959 --> 00:16:45.000
(woman)
- Is this your card?
Yeah, Evan, hi.
00:16:45.000 --> 00:16:47.250
- Yeah, that's correct.
00:16:49.291 --> 00:16:51.000
- Okay.
00:16:51.000 --> 00:16:54.041
- He's gonna teach you Arabic.
- Sounds good.
00:16:54.041 --> 00:16:56.250
- Can you tell me what
the last job you had was?
00:16:56.250 --> 00:17:00.166
- He used to work in Syria
fixing cars, you know,
00:17:00.166 --> 00:17:03.959
mechanical or electrical things
in the cars.
00:17:11.625 --> 00:17:12.542
- Right, I would love
00:17:12.542 --> 00:17:16.166
for you to be able to go
right back into car repair.
00:17:16.166 --> 00:17:18.542
I would absolutely think that
that was great.
00:17:18.542 --> 00:17:21.792
Unfortunately,
that is not going to be possible
00:17:21.792 --> 00:17:23.875
for the first job
in the United States.
00:17:23.875 --> 00:17:27.542
I know a lot of mechanic work
and car repair work requires
00:17:27.542 --> 00:17:32.250
a lot of different types
of licensings or certifications.
00:17:34.208 --> 00:17:36.542
My focus is just
on the first job,
00:17:36.542 --> 00:17:39.208
so the goal will be
to have a job
00:17:39.208 --> 00:17:41.542
that allows you
to help pay your bills
00:17:41.542 --> 00:17:43.792
while you are learning English.
00:17:59.291 --> 00:18:02.667
Um, so are you are both
in the employment program,
00:18:02.667 --> 00:18:03.917
which means
that you both need
00:18:03.917 --> 00:18:06.250
to be-- be preparing
for working.
00:18:06.250 --> 00:18:09.834
Yasmen could work some days
at one place, and, Khaldoun,
00:18:09.834 --> 00:18:11.875
you could work
in a different place,
00:18:11.875 --> 00:18:13.959
and you could be alternating
so that someone
00:18:13.959 --> 00:18:16.333
is always home
with the children.
00:18:16.333 --> 00:18:17.375
That usually works best
00:18:17.375 --> 00:18:21.125
in terms of an employment plan
for the family.
00:18:25.667 --> 00:18:28.417
So, we'll focus
on Khaldoun first for now,
00:18:28.417 --> 00:18:31.166
but I need you to start
mentally preparing yourself
00:18:31.166 --> 00:18:34.166
for the idea that you
will be working as well.
00:18:34.166 --> 00:18:36.625
So, now I'd like to know
if there's anything medically
00:18:36.625 --> 00:18:39.500
that would make it difficult
for you to work.
00:18:59.458 --> 00:19:02.583
- He says, this is the drill,
where he got the drill.
00:19:02.583 --> 00:19:05.291
And they cut it out
from that side.
00:19:10.542 --> 00:19:12.792
Sometimes--
00:19:16.083 --> 00:19:17.875
- Is there anything else
medically
00:19:17.875 --> 00:19:19.917
that I should know about?
00:19:21.625 --> 00:19:24.834
- The...
They took it with the--
00:19:24.834 --> 00:19:26.875
Not the wrench.
- Pliers.
00:19:26.875 --> 00:19:28.166
- Yes.
- Okay.
00:19:28.166 --> 00:19:30.125
And so I'm just gonna make
a suggestion
00:19:30.125 --> 00:19:32.041
that I want you guys--
(door opens)
00:19:32.041 --> 00:19:32.834
- Hey, time's up.
00:19:32.834 --> 00:19:34.709
We have, like,
several more appointments.
00:19:34.709 --> 00:19:36.333
- Oh, okay.
- Thank you much.
00:19:36.333 --> 00:19:40.208
Whenever Khaldoun's done,
he needs to go see Eli, uh,
00:19:40.208 --> 00:19:42.041
because your social security
cards came
00:19:42.041 --> 00:19:43.750
and you need to sign for them
and then they need
00:19:43.750 --> 00:19:45.750
to get on the bus
'cause they have an appointment
00:19:45.750 --> 00:19:47.750
at 2:00 at their home.
00:19:49.583 --> 00:19:53.542
- Go with Eli.
I think you wanna leave.
00:20:03.125 --> 00:20:07.542
♪♪
00:21:06.417 --> 00:21:09.250
(Yasmen narrating in Arabic)
00:21:35.709 --> 00:21:38.583
(children shout indistinctly)
00:21:46.959 --> 00:21:48.000
(Danielle)
- Using your map
00:21:48.000 --> 00:21:50.417
and your knowledge
of the building numbers,
00:21:50.417 --> 00:21:54.792
you need to lead us
to the address on your sheet.
00:21:56.750 --> 00:22:00.041
So remember,
we're looking for 3-4-0.
00:22:00.041 --> 00:22:01.625
- 3-4-0.
00:22:01.625 --> 00:22:03.291
(speaking Arabic)
00:22:03.291 --> 00:22:04.375
(car horn honking)
00:22:04.375 --> 00:22:07.250
- Look, the red hand means
we cannot cross right now.
00:22:07.250 --> 00:22:09.625
- Oh, yeah.
Yeah, yeah.
00:22:14.583 --> 00:22:16.875
- Okay, is it okay now?
00:22:16.875 --> 00:22:18.792
- Yeah, yeah.
00:22:32.291 --> 00:22:34.083
- Come here!
00:22:39.291 --> 00:22:41.750
- Okay, so what is this place?
00:22:41.750 --> 00:22:42.917
Yeah, post office, good.
00:22:42.917 --> 00:22:45.083
Can I ever put cash
in the mail?
00:22:45.083 --> 00:22:47.250
(speaking Arabic)
00:22:47.250 --> 00:22:48.250
- Yes.
- Yes.
00:22:48.250 --> 00:22:49.125
- No!
- No.
00:22:49.125 --> 00:22:51.625
Never put cash in the mail.
00:22:52.667 --> 00:22:55.834
Let's go to the next address.
00:22:56.917 --> 00:22:58.333
- All right, number one.
00:22:58.333 --> 00:23:02.166
What types of jobs
does the IRC find for you?
00:23:02.166 --> 00:23:05.375
"A," the IRC finds jobs
that you want to work?
00:23:05.375 --> 00:23:07.834
The IRC finds jobs
that are the same
00:23:07.834 --> 00:23:08.959
as what you did
in your country?
00:23:08.959 --> 00:23:12.625
Or "C," the IRC finds jobs
that are entry-level
00:23:12.625 --> 00:23:14.333
and help you become
self-sufficient?
00:23:14.333 --> 00:23:16.291
(child crying)
(man speaking Arabic)
00:23:16.291 --> 00:23:18.750
(Kelitah narrating)
I think the hardest thing
for me sometimes,
00:23:18.750 --> 00:23:20.291
especially in the higher
English classes,
00:23:20.291 --> 00:23:23.667
is that I have
to almost destroy the ideas
00:23:23.667 --> 00:23:26.667
that they came here with because
what they've done back home
00:23:26.667 --> 00:23:29.458
doesn't often translate
to what we do here.
00:23:29.458 --> 00:23:32.125
So the question is,
why do you...
00:23:32.125 --> 00:23:33.458
(man speaking Arabic)
00:23:33.458 --> 00:23:35.458
- Why do you...
- ...want to...
00:23:35.458 --> 00:23:37.166
- ...want to...
- ...work here?
00:23:37.166 --> 00:23:38.333
- ...work here?
- Very good.
00:23:38.333 --> 00:23:40.917
And you're answering,
to be self...
00:23:40.917 --> 00:23:43.333
- To be self...
- ...sufficient...
00:23:43.333 --> 00:23:45.000
- ...sufficient...
- ...and...
00:23:45.000 --> 00:23:47.125
- ...and...
- ...independent.
00:23:47.125 --> 00:23:49.208
- ...independent.
- Very good.
00:23:49.208 --> 00:23:52.500
All right, so the job
we're applying for...
00:23:52.500 --> 00:23:57.291
(Batoul)
- Me and my sister, Maria,
we didn't work before.
00:23:57.291 --> 00:23:59.208
It's my first time now.
00:23:59.208 --> 00:24:04.834
I hope to be working
in the technology field.
00:24:04.834 --> 00:24:06.500
That's my dream.
00:24:06.500 --> 00:24:10.250
And maybe, uh, have a car.
00:24:10.250 --> 00:24:13.667
- This website is great
for you guys because both of you
00:24:13.667 --> 00:24:16.750
almost finished college,
almost finished.
00:24:16.750 --> 00:24:19.709
So, Batoul, you went to school
for engineering.
00:24:19.709 --> 00:24:22.291
What kind of engineer?
- Telecommunications.
00:24:22.291 --> 00:24:24.000
- Telecommunication.
00:24:24.000 --> 00:24:29.083
So the job we're applying for
is for cashier.
00:25:05.500 --> 00:25:08.000
(Iman narrating)
00:25:33.041 --> 00:25:35.250
(TV beeps and turns on)
00:25:53.583 --> 00:25:56.125
(Iman narrating)
00:26:08.166 --> 00:26:10.333
(phone alert)
00:26:14.750 --> 00:26:18.959
And I left February 2013--
00:26:18.959 --> 00:26:20.875
2014.
00:26:20.875 --> 00:26:26.208
And after two years
and two months, they came.
00:26:31.083 --> 00:26:33.583
(Aya narrating)
00:26:39.875 --> 00:26:45.125
- She said that after
six months, she can bring us.
00:26:45.125 --> 00:26:50.458
She will get her asylum
and she can bring us.
00:26:50.458 --> 00:26:53.834
That's what the lawyer said
to her,
00:26:53.834 --> 00:26:56.041
but, um, the truth,
00:26:56.041 --> 00:26:58.542
that she waited,
like, two years
00:26:58.542 --> 00:27:01.333
and she didn't get her asylum.
00:27:13.333 --> 00:27:15.959
(Maria narrating)
00:27:18.417 --> 00:27:24.792
And we have to do
all things by ourselves.
00:27:24.792 --> 00:27:26.834
And we didn't know anyone there.
00:27:26.834 --> 00:27:28.875
- I have to take care
of my two sisters.
00:27:28.875 --> 00:27:33.041
They are younger than me
and they were still in school.
00:27:33.041 --> 00:27:38.542
At first, it was really hard,
but we, like...
00:27:38.542 --> 00:27:41.667
We had to do that.
00:27:48.834 --> 00:27:53.250
♪♪
00:28:20.709 --> 00:28:21.792
- He wants to loan some money.
00:28:21.792 --> 00:28:24.166
- No, we are in class right now,
so this is not
00:28:24.166 --> 00:28:27.875
the appropriate time
to talk about it.
00:28:27.875 --> 00:28:30.166
- Let somebody get by.
00:28:32.709 --> 00:28:35.417
- Okay.
Do you have your EAD card?
00:28:35.417 --> 00:28:39.250
The employment
authorization document?
00:28:39.250 --> 00:28:41.792
To go to the bank--
Right, hold on.
00:28:41.792 --> 00:28:44.667
The bank is requesting
your EAD card
00:28:44.667 --> 00:28:47.542
in order to open
the bank account.
00:28:47.542 --> 00:28:49.458
But there's a photo ID.
00:28:49.834 --> 00:28:53.250
So I can talk about this
with you at a later time.
00:28:53.250 --> 00:28:55.625
You can call me
and you say your name
00:28:55.625 --> 00:28:59.250
and your telephone number
and you say "interpreter."
00:28:59.250 --> 00:29:01.291
And I will call you
with an interpreter
00:29:01.291 --> 00:29:03.208
and we will make
the appointment.
00:29:06.458 --> 00:29:10.041
You can also say "motarjem."
I understand that.
00:29:11.458 --> 00:29:13.166
Okay, yeah.
00:29:18.375 --> 00:29:19.583
- "Hello, hi.
How are you?
00:29:19.583 --> 00:29:23.333
Interpreter."
- Okay, okay, yeah.
00:29:25.333 --> 00:29:28.542
(Kelitah)
- So we, of course, do our best
to get you a job
00:29:28.542 --> 00:29:30.208
that'll be able to pay
for your bills,
00:29:30.208 --> 00:29:34.667
but in America, most times,
husbands and wives work,
00:29:34.667 --> 00:29:36.417
not just the husbands.
00:29:36.417 --> 00:29:40.250
(man translating to Arabic)
00:29:51.917 --> 00:29:53.834
- All right.
00:29:53.834 --> 00:29:55.041
Can we move on?
00:29:55.041 --> 00:29:58.250
When you're going
to an interview, never ever...
00:29:58.250 --> 00:29:59.750
(man translating to Arabic)
00:29:59.750 --> 00:30:01.417
...wear jeans.
00:30:01.417 --> 00:30:04.583
No, you cannot wear that
to an interview.
00:30:04.583 --> 00:30:05.166
- No?
00:30:05.166 --> 00:30:07.375
- Your pants are okay,
your pants are okay.
00:30:07.375 --> 00:30:11.291
Those are okay.
Your shirt, no.
00:30:11.917 --> 00:30:15.125
You can't wear any of that.
00:30:15.125 --> 00:30:16.333
I'm sorry, Khaldoun.
00:30:16.333 --> 00:30:17.583
All right,
so I'm going to have you
00:30:17.583 --> 00:30:20.000
practice your handshake
with me, yes?
00:30:20.000 --> 00:30:21.208
(laughter)
00:30:21.208 --> 00:30:23.542
Oh!
00:30:23.542 --> 00:30:24.625
Okay, okay.
Too--
00:30:24.625 --> 00:30:27.792
Too much, too much.
It's okay.
00:30:28.583 --> 00:30:30.667
He tried to break my hand.
00:30:30.667 --> 00:30:31.959
Okay, just like that.
00:30:31.959 --> 00:30:34.083
Not tight.
Okay, good.
00:30:35.083 --> 00:30:37.917
- Hello, how are you?
How are you?
00:30:41.917 --> 00:30:44.000
- Let go,
and stop holding hands,
00:30:44.000 --> 00:30:46.667
stop holding hands,
stop holding hands.
00:30:46.667 --> 00:30:49.667
- I am good.
How are you?
00:30:51.500 --> 00:30:53.583
- Oh, my!
Okay.
00:30:53.583 --> 00:30:56.375
Tell me about yourself.
00:30:57.500 --> 00:31:00.291
(Khaldoun knocks on desk)
00:31:01.709 --> 00:31:03.750
Ceramic?
- Ceramic.
00:31:03.750 --> 00:31:04.709
- Construction.
00:31:04.709 --> 00:31:06.375
- "Can-shuck-took."
00:31:06.375 --> 00:31:07.834
(laughter)
00:31:07.834 --> 00:31:09.208
- It's okay.
00:31:09.208 --> 00:31:10.750
Look, it's a "C."
00:31:10.750 --> 00:31:12.917
- Ceramic?
- Construction.
00:31:12.917 --> 00:31:14.583
- "Sheran-teck-shun."
00:31:14.583 --> 00:31:17.041
(laughter)
00:31:19.041 --> 00:31:20.667
- Ceramic.
- So, listen!
00:31:20.667 --> 00:31:23.000
Tomorrow, class starts
at 10:00 a.m.
00:31:23.000 --> 00:31:26.000
What time are you
gonna be here?
00:31:26.000 --> 00:31:27.000
Very good.
00:31:27.000 --> 00:31:29.083
Buh-bye.
- Bye.
00:31:29.083 --> 00:31:30.834
- Buh-bye.
00:31:37.917 --> 00:31:40.792
(Mohammad narrating in Arabic)
00:32:13.792 --> 00:32:15.375
- Hello, how are you?
- Hello, how are you?
00:32:15.375 --> 00:32:17.917
- Nice to see you, Mohammad.
- Hi, how are you?
00:32:17.917 --> 00:32:20.375
- Down here.
We're all in the same color.
00:32:20.375 --> 00:32:23.375
- I know.
- Just like we planned it.
00:32:23.375 --> 00:32:25.083
- How are you?
Nice to see you.
00:32:25.083 --> 00:32:27.041
- How are you?
- Thank you.
00:32:27.041 --> 00:32:28.500
- Nice to see you.
00:32:28.500 --> 00:32:30.625
Are we not shaking hands?
- Yeah.
00:32:30.625 --> 00:32:33.917
- No, you know, Americans want
to shake hands.
00:32:33.917 --> 00:32:36.125
- Sometimes.
- Always.
00:32:36.125 --> 00:32:39.625
Americans always want
to shake hands.
00:32:45.041 --> 00:32:46.917
- Okay, so, thank you guys
for waiting.
00:32:46.917 --> 00:32:48.917
I'm really sorry
that, um, it took so long,
00:32:48.917 --> 00:32:51.208
but I wanted to meet with you
because Hannah and Evan
00:32:51.208 --> 00:32:54.333
are both not here this week
and we want to talk about work.
00:32:54.333 --> 00:32:58.208
So you were supposed to go
to work on Monday, correct?
00:32:58.208 --> 00:33:00.458
But you didn't go.
00:33:06.792 --> 00:33:09.166
- Can I speak?
- Not yet.
00:33:09.166 --> 00:33:10.041
- Okay.
- Okay.
00:33:10.041 --> 00:33:11.917
Thank you for asking, though.
00:33:11.917 --> 00:33:15.083
Okay, so you arranged a ride
for the two of you
00:33:15.083 --> 00:33:18.542
to go with a friend to work,
is that correct?
00:33:35.000 --> 00:33:37.041
- The work hours...
00:33:39.166 --> 00:33:42.250
...uh, too much for him.
- Mm-hmm.
00:33:42.250 --> 00:33:43.166
- His standing.
00:33:43.166 --> 00:33:46.083
- Did you or did you not go
to work on Monday?
00:33:46.083 --> 00:33:48.208
- No.
- Okay.
00:33:48.208 --> 00:33:49.041
That is your choice.
00:33:49.041 --> 00:33:52.375
However, there is a consequence
for that.
00:33:53.417 --> 00:33:56.834
Then what you should have done
is come here yesterday
00:33:56.834 --> 00:34:00.166
and asked for me,
asked for Rebecca,
00:34:00.166 --> 00:34:02.166
and explained to us
that the ride
00:34:02.166 --> 00:34:04.583
you had arranged
was unable to take you.
00:34:04.583 --> 00:34:06.667
Instead, you made
a personal choice
00:34:06.667 --> 00:34:09.917
to just not go
and not tell anybody,
00:34:09.917 --> 00:34:12.083
and that's the problem we have.
00:34:24.458 --> 00:34:30.208
This is not a punishment.
This is a contract you signed.
00:34:37.667 --> 00:34:40.166
- It's any job.
You have to accept...
00:34:40.166 --> 00:34:41.667
(both)
- ...the first job.
00:34:41.667 --> 00:34:42.959
- And to be clear,
there are state
00:34:42.959 --> 00:34:47.667
and federal rules that we are
obligated to abide by.
00:34:47.667 --> 00:34:49.792
- So the first punishment
is a verbal.
00:34:49.792 --> 00:34:50.792
This is your verbal warning.
00:34:50.792 --> 00:34:53.792
- The second warning will be
that your money will be withheld
00:34:53.792 --> 00:34:56.083
and that's what we're trying
to explain to you.
00:34:56.083 --> 00:34:58.750
If you want IRC to help you...
00:34:58.750 --> 00:35:00.166
(man translating to Arabic)
00:35:00.166 --> 00:35:03.542
...and you agree to the job
offered, you have to go.
00:35:03.542 --> 00:35:06.959
And if you don't want the job,
you need to be honest
00:35:06.959 --> 00:35:08.417
with your employment specialist
00:35:08.417 --> 00:35:09.750
and say,
"I don't want this job."
00:35:09.750 --> 00:35:13.834
- I want to emphasize
that we are here to help you.
00:35:13.834 --> 00:35:16.709
We do not like punishing you.
00:35:17.333 --> 00:35:19.166
- Okay. New page.
- New page.
00:35:19.166 --> 00:35:21.583
So go home to your wives
and your children
00:35:21.583 --> 00:35:24.458
and go to bed and come back
tomorrow for class.
00:35:24.458 --> 00:35:27.417
So go home
before we get mad again.
00:35:27.417 --> 00:35:29.417
Go, go, go.
00:36:04.333 --> 00:36:09.625
- Are we going to Hilton?
Are we going to Hilton?
00:36:09.625 --> 00:36:11.166
- So keep going.
00:36:11.166 --> 00:36:14.041
It's not downtown.
- Yes?
00:36:24.667 --> 00:36:28.834
- Going downtown?
- Yes, ma'am.
00:36:28.834 --> 00:36:30.166
Thanks.
00:37:30.333 --> 00:37:32.125
(elevator beeps)
00:37:42.083 --> 00:37:43.000
- Mohammad!
00:37:43.000 --> 00:37:44.667
All right, so Dr. Brady
will come in
00:37:44.667 --> 00:37:46.667
to see you shortly, okay?
00:37:54.542 --> 00:37:56.375
- Shh.
00:37:58.834 --> 00:38:00.291
Ayman.
00:38:12.250 --> 00:38:14.583
- Ready?
00:38:19.959 --> 00:38:21.792
- This or there?
00:38:21.792 --> 00:38:23.291
- Right here.
00:38:23.291 --> 00:38:26.583
(sucking air)
- Two here? One?
00:38:26.583 --> 00:38:28.166
- Yeah, yeah, but you can't--
00:38:28.166 --> 00:38:31.125
After I clean,
you can't touch.
00:38:31.125 --> 00:38:34.125
Be almost over.
00:38:34.125 --> 00:38:36.000
- Ooh.
00:38:39.041 --> 00:38:41.000
- You all right?
00:38:42.875 --> 00:38:44.917
It's a needle.
00:38:44.917 --> 00:38:46.875
You gotta get it.
00:38:46.875 --> 00:38:47.959
- I don't want to.
00:38:47.959 --> 00:38:51.291
- Here, look-- look over there,
look at your mom.
00:38:51.291 --> 00:38:53.166
Look at your mom.
00:38:53.166 --> 00:38:55.000
- Okay.
00:39:00.375 --> 00:39:02.083
- One more.
00:39:02.083 --> 00:39:04.959
One more.
Don't move.
00:39:06.250 --> 00:39:10.208
All right.
See, that's not bad.
00:39:10.208 --> 00:39:12.166
It's not bad.
00:39:15.750 --> 00:39:17.834
Excuse me.
00:39:19.250 --> 00:39:20.250
- Thank you.
00:39:20.250 --> 00:39:23.750
- Hello, hello, Mohammad.
How is everyone today?
00:39:23.750 --> 00:39:26.667
How's school going?
- It's good.
00:39:26.667 --> 00:39:27.500
- So...
00:39:27.500 --> 00:39:32.291
how often are you
having nightmares?
00:39:32.291 --> 00:39:35.166
(woman translating to Arabic)
00:39:38.792 --> 00:39:42.709
Um, how does that compare
with how many nightmares
00:39:42.709 --> 00:39:45.208
you were having before,
00:39:45.208 --> 00:39:48.291
before you arrived
in this country?
00:39:52.041 --> 00:39:53.667
- Four times in a week.
00:39:53.667 --> 00:39:56.333
- We do know that people,
including children
00:39:56.333 --> 00:39:59.125
that have experienced
psychological trauma,
00:39:59.125 --> 00:40:03.834
can have symptoms like this, um,
and for younger kids,
00:40:03.834 --> 00:40:06.959
it's not as big of a deal
to them, but for older kids,
00:40:06.959 --> 00:40:10.000
there can be a lot
of embarrassment about it.
00:40:10.000 --> 00:40:12.291
And so the treatment
really is therapy.
00:40:12.291 --> 00:40:17.500
Maybe some medications that we
could try to help out Mohammad.
00:40:18.041 --> 00:40:21.709
You're in agreement?
Good.
00:40:44.792 --> 00:40:47.667
(Khaldoun narrating in Arabic)
00:41:08.083 --> 00:41:09.959
(cell phone buzzing)
00:41:09.959 --> 00:41:11.208
(Evan on phone)
-Hi, Khaldoun?
00:41:11.208 --> 00:41:14.208
- Uh-huh?
-This is Evan.
00:41:21.959 --> 00:41:24.834
Okay, we're working
with a staffing agency
00:41:24.834 --> 00:41:29.375
and they have not, um, they
have yet offered a job to you.
00:41:29.375 --> 00:41:30.834
Um, if an opportunity comes,
00:41:30.834 --> 00:41:34.417
I'm going to talk
with your caseworker.
00:41:35.625 --> 00:41:37.125
Okay.
00:41:43.542 --> 00:41:46.083
(horn honking)
00:41:52.667 --> 00:41:55.291
(brakes squealing)
00:42:00.792 --> 00:42:02.709
- Good morning.
- Good morning.
00:42:02.709 --> 00:42:05.250
- Morning.
- Good morning.
00:42:05.250 --> 00:42:06.959
- Good morning.
00:42:31.834 --> 00:42:34.542
- You wanna call the police?
- Hello?
00:43:09.000 --> 00:43:11.875
(boys imitating bombs exploding)
00:43:24.166 --> 00:43:28.417
(boys continue
imitating bombs exploding)
00:43:37.291 --> 00:43:39.458
- This is the house.
00:43:39.458 --> 00:43:43.834
This is another house.
This is a third house.
00:44:02.750 --> 00:44:07.166
♪♪
00:44:27.166 --> 00:44:29.041
(elevator buzzer sounds)
00:44:52.250 --> 00:44:54.834
(Aya narrating)
00:44:58.917 --> 00:45:01.417
(Aya narrating)
00:45:02.834 --> 00:45:06.750
- And there was our neighbor
with his little daughter,
00:45:06.750 --> 00:45:09.333
and when we were
in the elevator,
00:45:09.333 --> 00:45:12.959
she "hided" behind him
00:45:12.959 --> 00:45:15.583
and she was whispering to him,
00:45:15.583 --> 00:45:20.000
"Are they dangerous?"
because we were wearing hijab.
00:45:20.000 --> 00:45:23.250
And that's very sad
because this little girl
00:45:23.250 --> 00:45:27.333
have these strong ideas
in her head.
00:45:50.041 --> 00:45:53.542
(Batoul)
- When we were living alone
without parents,
00:45:53.542 --> 00:45:56.166
we could do anything we want,
00:45:56.166 --> 00:45:59.250
but after coming
and living with my mom
00:45:59.250 --> 00:46:02.083
and my stepfather,
they want to take care of us.
00:46:02.083 --> 00:46:08.625
They are really scared
of, uh... everything.
00:46:47.542 --> 00:46:51.959
♪♪
00:47:16.542 --> 00:47:20.208
(laughter)
00:47:39.417 --> 00:47:42.834
(laughter)
00:48:02.417 --> 00:48:04.542
(on radio)
-This is "The Takeaway,"
I'm John Hockenberry.
00:48:04.542 --> 00:48:06.500
Thanks so much for listening,
and I trust
00:48:06.500 --> 00:48:08.709
you followed all the drama
this weekend.
00:48:08.709 --> 00:48:11.000
How there's suddenly
an asterisk and some fine print
00:48:11.000 --> 00:48:13.000
next to the "Give me
your tired, your poor" message
00:48:13.000 --> 00:48:14.583
greeting immigrants
at the U.S. borders.
00:48:14.583 --> 00:48:18.375
(woman on radio)
-President Donald Trump
delivered an order on Friday
00:48:18.375 --> 00:48:19.500
stopping all refugees
00:48:19.500 --> 00:48:21.333
and visitors
from some countries
00:48:21.333 --> 00:48:22.750
from entering
the United States.
00:48:22.750 --> 00:48:24.583
(man on radio)
-In just the last 24 hours,
00:48:24.583 --> 00:48:26.750
Trump has suspended
all refugees
00:48:26.750 --> 00:48:28.375
from entering
the United States
00:48:28.375 --> 00:48:30.625
and suspended immigration
for the next three months
00:48:30.625 --> 00:48:35.417
from seven countries that have
Muslim majority populations.
00:48:35.417 --> 00:48:37.458
- Oh, no.
00:48:37.458 --> 00:48:38.333
Oh, my gosh.
00:48:38.333 --> 00:48:41.959
(phone ringing)
IRC, Sawsan.
00:48:41.959 --> 00:48:43.083
Hi, Ruben.
00:48:43.083 --> 00:48:45.875
No, it is the single women
who came here and they're
00:48:45.875 --> 00:48:48.000
supposed to be followed
by their family members,
00:48:48.000 --> 00:48:52.000
and suddenly, their family
members are not able to come.
00:48:52.000 --> 00:48:53.583
Okay, sure.
00:49:04.417 --> 00:49:05.417
- It was just signed on Friday.
00:49:05.417 --> 00:49:07.875
It's still unfolding,
so I don't really know.
00:49:07.875 --> 00:49:11.291
- At least get a state ID
because I don't want her
to get the I-94,
00:49:11.291 --> 00:49:13.709
and suddenly at the airport,
you never know what will happen.
00:49:13.709 --> 00:49:16.291
Do you need anything else?
- No, I think that's good.
00:49:16.291 --> 00:49:17.834
- Okay.
- Hi, Sawsan.
00:49:17.834 --> 00:49:20.709
- We called about
the Syrian support group.
00:49:20.709 --> 00:49:22.875
Nobody came.
- Oh, my goodness.
00:49:22.875 --> 00:49:25.083
- I don't know-- it was, like,
right after Trump's order,
00:49:25.083 --> 00:49:28.208
so I don't know if that's why
people stayed away.
00:49:28.208 --> 00:49:31.375
One of the families said
their son was sick.
00:49:31.375 --> 00:49:33.041
Um...
00:49:33.041 --> 00:49:35.709
Is everything else going okay
for the family?
00:49:35.709 --> 00:49:38.834
(Sawsan translating to Arabic)
00:49:38.834 --> 00:49:41.667
(woman speaking Arabic on phone)
00:49:52.375 --> 00:49:54.959
- Thank you so much.
- No problem.
00:49:54.959 --> 00:49:56.333
Done?
00:49:58.166 --> 00:50:01.166
I am originally
from Baghdad, Iraq,
00:50:01.166 --> 00:50:02.291
and I came as a refugee
00:50:02.291 --> 00:50:05.458
and I understand that when
you're coming from a war zone
00:50:05.458 --> 00:50:07.875
and you feel like
you reached your haven
00:50:07.875 --> 00:50:10.834
and you're gonna be safe,
and suddenly,
00:50:10.834 --> 00:50:13.458
this place is not haven anymore.
00:50:13.458 --> 00:50:16.333
And you add to it,
soon will be their eight months,
00:50:16.333 --> 00:50:18.500
so this is where,
in resettlement,
00:50:18.500 --> 00:50:20.375
it's like you're not supported
00:50:20.375 --> 00:50:22.834
and you're, like,
most on your own,
00:50:22.834 --> 00:50:23.917
so it's too much for them.
00:50:23.917 --> 00:50:29.834
It's too much to be, um,
really handling and, um...
00:50:29.834 --> 00:50:33.333
Um...
I hope we pass this period.
00:50:33.333 --> 00:50:38.750
I don't know how it will go,
but, you know, I have--
00:50:38.750 --> 00:50:41.250
I have no answers,
but it's really tough times
00:50:41.250 --> 00:50:45.667
and hard for-- for people,
for all of us.
00:50:52.667 --> 00:50:54.417
Yasiin?
00:50:57.750 --> 00:51:00.208
- I think the hardest thing
is realizing
00:51:00.208 --> 00:51:02.834
that we're bringing people
from another country
00:51:02.834 --> 00:51:05.500
and we're telling them
that we are helping them,
00:51:05.500 --> 00:51:08.458
like, I'm gonna move to America
and I'm gonna live
the American dream,
00:51:08.458 --> 00:51:10.375
and yet you get here,
and the American dream
00:51:10.375 --> 00:51:14.333
is nothing like what TV
or movies tell you.
00:51:14.333 --> 00:51:16.041
And we want to be
the greatest country
00:51:16.041 --> 00:51:18.125
in the world,
but we don't treat people
00:51:18.125 --> 00:51:20.875
like we are the greatest country
in the world.
00:51:35.875 --> 00:51:38.500
(speaking Arabic)
00:51:48.834 --> 00:51:51.291
(cell phone ringing)
00:54:01.333 --> 00:54:02.458
- ...they change.
00:54:02.458 --> 00:54:03.959
Like, you can--
you can see that
00:54:03.959 --> 00:54:07.625
in their talk and their,
like, behavior that...
00:54:07.625 --> 00:54:11.667
I feel like the day
that I come here,
00:54:11.667 --> 00:54:16.083
I feel that it's my country,
really.
00:54:16.083 --> 00:54:18.041
And I'm worried, really.
00:54:18.041 --> 00:54:21.917
I'm thinking, like, if one day,
some decision come up
00:54:21.917 --> 00:54:27.333
and we have to go out, I don't
know where to go, actually.
00:54:27.333 --> 00:54:28.792
I don't know.
00:54:28.792 --> 00:54:31.959
- For me and my sisters,
we are considered
00:54:31.959 --> 00:54:33.583
as permanent residents,
00:54:33.583 --> 00:54:39.125
but my mother, she is--
her case is pending asylum.
00:54:39.125 --> 00:54:40.208
She, like...
00:54:40.208 --> 00:54:46.875
She is scared that she
might not be accepted here.
00:54:46.875 --> 00:54:49.375
It's really scary for us.
00:55:05.417 --> 00:55:08.375
(cell phone ringing)
00:55:56.041 --> 00:55:57.542
(knock at door)
00:55:57.542 --> 00:55:59.166
Come in.
00:56:00.125 --> 00:56:01.917
Hi.
00:56:12.083 --> 00:56:13.542
Hi.
00:58:07.959 --> 00:58:10.417
(coughing)
00:59:31.333 --> 00:59:34.208
(woman speaking Arabic on TV)
00:59:46.417 --> 00:59:49.542
- Okay, what is nine times one?
00:59:49.542 --> 00:59:50.083
Nine.
00:59:50.083 --> 00:59:53.041
- Ooh... baby time.
- Hey.
00:59:53.041 --> 00:59:55.583
What is nine times two?
00:59:56.291 --> 00:59:58.750
- No.
- It's okay, come on.
00:59:59.667 --> 01:00:03.166
You are smart.
You are smart, come on.
01:00:03.166 --> 01:00:06.375
And this one is--
what do you call this one?
01:00:06.375 --> 01:00:09.000
- Cut, cut cake.
- Piece, piece of cake.
01:00:09.000 --> 01:00:10.542
Cut is like this.
- Oh, yeah.
01:00:10.542 --> 01:00:11.917
(cell phone ringing)
- Multiplication.
01:00:11.917 --> 01:00:14.125
- Multiplication?
- Like, do you know,
01:00:14.125 --> 01:00:16.166
like, nine times six?
01:00:23.709 --> 01:00:25.542
- You just have to.
01:02:09.250 --> 01:02:13.667
♪♪
01:02:33.125 --> 01:02:34.875
(indistinct chatter)
01:02:34.875 --> 01:02:36.208
- Let's say it again.
Ready?
01:02:36.208 --> 01:02:41.250
(all)
- One, two, three,
four, five, six.
01:02:41.250 --> 01:02:44.417
- Good, stop.
Sneak peek to tomorrow...
01:02:49.792 --> 01:02:50.750
- Okay.
01:02:50.750 --> 01:02:52.834
Can you read the sentence,
Ahmad?
01:02:52.834 --> 01:02:56.542
- "I see with my eyes."
01:02:56.542 --> 01:02:57.375
- Very good.
01:02:57.375 --> 01:03:01.333
- 4 divided by 1/5.
01:03:18.208 --> 01:03:22.083
- Let's take a look
at your colleges.
01:03:23.333 --> 01:03:26.000
I know the big school is what?
01:03:26.000 --> 01:03:27.125
- Is UMBC.
- UMBC.
01:03:27.125 --> 01:03:31.000
What is it about UMBC
that you like?
01:03:34.542 --> 01:03:35.667
Okay.
01:03:35.667 --> 01:03:37.000
Does your sister know that?
01:03:37.000 --> 01:03:39.333
- Yeah.
- Okay.
01:03:52.333 --> 01:03:56.834
- So let-- let us continue
our conversation from last week.
01:03:56.834 --> 01:04:01.333
A stereotype had to do
with a generalization, yes?
01:04:01.333 --> 01:04:04.583
Do people see one person
act one way
01:04:04.583 --> 01:04:09.542
and they believe that everyone
in that group is the same?
01:04:18.458 --> 01:04:19.542
That is one of the things
01:04:19.542 --> 01:04:21.792
that we are exploring
with this conversation.
01:04:21.792 --> 01:04:28.375
Why do some people get treated
differently than others?
01:04:43.875 --> 01:04:48.000
(indistinct chatter
and laughter)
01:05:02.709 --> 01:05:04.291
- How old are you?
01:05:04.291 --> 01:05:06.583
- Eight.
- Eight.
01:05:06.583 --> 01:05:07.875
- How old are you?
01:05:07.875 --> 01:05:10.500
- Nine years old.
01:05:10.500 --> 01:05:11.834
- Where are you from?
01:05:11.834 --> 01:05:13.750
- My from is Syria.
01:05:13.750 --> 01:05:16.417
- You have hair.
- Yes.
01:05:16.417 --> 01:05:18.875
(laughter)
01:05:20.333 --> 01:05:21.291
Yes, I like my hair.
01:05:21.291 --> 01:05:24.750
- Are you excited about going
to grade six next year?
01:05:24.750 --> 01:05:27.083
- Yeah, I'm excited.
- Yeah?
01:05:27.083 --> 01:05:30.041
You've been doing really good
in fifthgrade.
01:05:30.041 --> 01:05:32.166
- Yeah, I like reading.
01:05:32.166 --> 01:05:33.750
My teacher gave me paper.
01:05:33.750 --> 01:05:34.667
- Mm-hmm.
- Yeah.
01:05:34.667 --> 01:05:37.709
I give it to teacher,
she said good.
01:05:45.333 --> 01:05:47.417
- Is this?
01:05:56.333 --> 01:05:58.041
What?
01:06:02.667 --> 01:06:05.917
(rap music playing)
01:06:05.917 --> 01:06:10.333
♪♪
01:08:13.875 --> 01:08:17.542
(music playing on phone)
01:11:05.083 --> 01:11:08.792
(church bell ringing)
01:11:10.750 --> 01:11:16.083
- This is a clock.
A clock can tell time.
01:11:16.083 --> 01:11:17.959
60 seconds...
01:11:17.959 --> 01:11:19.333
- One minute.
- ...is one...
01:11:19.333 --> 01:11:22.291
- One minute.
- ...one minute.
01:11:22.291 --> 01:11:26.750
- 60 seconds.
- 60 seconds, okay.
01:11:33.041 --> 01:11:34.542
- Okay.
01:11:34.542 --> 01:11:37.709
Okay, do you understand or no?
01:11:37.709 --> 01:11:40.375
I understand or I don't?
- Yeah, yeah, yeah.
01:11:40.375 --> 01:11:41.208
- I understand?
01:11:41.208 --> 01:11:44.041
(Madiha narrating in Arabic)
01:12:04.166 --> 01:12:06.083
- Hi.
Can I get Madiha?
01:12:06.083 --> 01:12:07.208
Hi, Madiha.
- Oh, hi.
01:12:07.208 --> 01:12:09.375
See you tomorrow.
- See you tomorrow.
01:12:09.375 --> 01:12:11.291
- Hi, how are you?
- Good, how are you?
01:12:11.291 --> 01:12:15.417
- Good, you know.
Haven't seen you in a while.
01:12:16.583 --> 01:12:18.333
- How are you, Leah?
- I'm good.
01:12:18.333 --> 01:12:20.208
How about yourself?
- Good.
01:12:20.208 --> 01:12:23.041
(Madiha narrating in Arabic)
01:12:30.959 --> 01:12:33.208
- Wanna get in your car seat?
01:13:03.792 --> 01:13:05.542
- I had this idea,
and I was talking
01:13:05.542 --> 01:13:08.834
to some members of my church,
and I would like--
01:13:08.834 --> 01:13:11.333
given that you're such
a great cook,
01:13:11.333 --> 01:13:13.250
I thought it might be
a nice idea
01:13:13.250 --> 01:13:17.542
if you cook a meal for--
and we sell tickets.
01:13:17.542 --> 01:13:20.041
And we would use the money
from the tickets
01:13:20.041 --> 01:13:23.375
to pay for the ingredients,
and then whatever money
01:13:23.375 --> 01:13:27.208
was left over, would be
to help support you guys.
01:13:27.208 --> 01:13:30.500
And then thought that that might
be a good idea for the church
01:13:30.500 --> 01:13:34.125
to-- to come together
and also to help you.
01:13:34.125 --> 01:13:35.709
- In cooking?
- In cooking.
01:13:35.709 --> 01:13:40.166
Is 100 people too much?
Is 100 people good?
01:13:40.166 --> 01:13:42.208
Are you good to cook--
- 100?
01:13:42.208 --> 01:13:43.792
- 100.
01:13:46.041 --> 01:13:48.542
(murmuring)
01:13:48.542 --> 01:13:50.041
- 100?
- Mm-hmm.
01:13:50.041 --> 01:13:52.375
Mm-hmm.
Thank you, Leah.
01:13:52.375 --> 01:13:54.583
- You're welcome.
01:13:56.500 --> 01:13:58.417
Hopefully, this will open
a path for you
01:13:58.417 --> 01:14:03.291
to maybe cook for other people,
to start a catering business.
01:14:03.291 --> 01:14:03.792
- Yeah.
01:14:03.792 --> 01:14:07.208
- And maybe you can take orders
and cook.
01:14:07.208 --> 01:14:08.583
- Yes.
01:16:41.792 --> 01:16:43.625
- Okay, okay.
01:16:52.458 --> 01:16:54.750
Bye-bye.
01:16:54.750 --> 01:16:56.166
This is a big step.
01:16:56.166 --> 01:17:00.375
Really, I hope these families
will be okay,
01:17:00.375 --> 01:17:01.917
but it-- it takes time.
01:17:01.917 --> 01:17:04.500
- Sawsan, you have time?
- Yes, I have time.
01:17:04.500 --> 01:17:06.333
Yes, come on in.
01:17:42.417 --> 01:17:44.166
- Hi, how are you?
- Hi, how are you?
01:17:44.166 --> 01:17:46.458
- Hi, I'm doing okay.
01:17:46.458 --> 01:17:49.041
Thank the Lord.
- Thank you.
01:18:02.458 --> 01:18:05.667
- Stop sign, stop sign.
01:18:23.083 --> 01:18:25.542
School?
- Yeah, school.
01:18:25.542 --> 01:18:27.625
- Yeah.
01:20:06.583 --> 01:20:10.125
(honking horn)
01:20:42.917 --> 01:20:45.125
(laughing)
01:20:58.125 --> 01:20:59.333
(Leah)
- I have some good news.
01:20:59.333 --> 01:21:04.458
So I told you
we might sell 100 tickets.
01:21:04.458 --> 01:21:07.417
I think we've sold 125 tickets.
01:21:07.417 --> 01:21:10.208
- 25.
- 125.
01:21:10.208 --> 01:21:11.667
- 125.
Okay.
01:21:11.667 --> 01:21:13.750
- Are you okay with that?
- Okay, okay.
01:21:13.750 --> 01:21:15.333
- You're good?
- Yes.
01:21:15.333 --> 01:21:17.041
- Okay.
01:21:24.125 --> 01:21:25.458
- No.
- No, not that.
01:21:25.458 --> 01:21:29.041
We may have to go somewhere else
and get that.
01:21:32.166 --> 01:21:34.709
Good?
- Yes.
01:21:37.792 --> 01:21:41.125
- So we'll get 130 of those?
- Yeah.
01:21:41.125 --> 01:21:44.125
(speaking Arabic)
01:22:08.667 --> 01:22:12.458
- So Mr. Derry's just given me
a map of Syria.
01:22:12.458 --> 01:22:15.458
And it has your hometown.
What is your hometown?
01:22:15.458 --> 01:22:17.208
- Daraa.
- Daraa.
01:22:36.417 --> 01:22:37.959
- Uh, Leah?
01:22:46.875 --> 01:22:50.166
I want this... one.
01:22:50.166 --> 01:22:53.709
- You want that?
- This.
01:22:53.959 --> 01:22:55.917
- What do you want me
to do with it?
01:22:55.917 --> 01:22:56.458
- One.
01:22:56.458 --> 01:22:58.041
- You need another pan?
- Yes.
01:22:58.041 --> 01:22:59.583
- Okay, I'll be right back.
01:22:59.583 --> 01:23:01.834
Use as many as you want.
- Thank you.
01:23:01.834 --> 01:23:03.583
- You're welcome.
01:23:08.458 --> 01:23:10.041
- Wow.
01:23:17.208 --> 01:23:19.333
- Morning, you can come in.
01:23:19.333 --> 01:23:20.792
- Hi.
- This is Riley.
01:23:20.792 --> 01:23:22.750
- Hi.
- And Ethan.
01:23:22.750 --> 01:23:25.166
And this is Mohannad
and Mohammad.
01:23:25.166 --> 01:23:28.500
- Mohannad and Mohammad.
- Yep.
01:23:34.750 --> 01:23:36.625
- Lemonade.
01:23:37.667 --> 01:23:39.709
- Hi! How are you?
- Good, how are you?
01:23:39.709 --> 01:23:41.709
- Good.
- This is my mom.
01:23:41.709 --> 01:23:42.625
- Oh, hi.
- Hi.
01:23:42.625 --> 01:23:45.792
Nice to meet you.
- Nice to meet you too.
01:23:48.667 --> 01:23:50.166
- There's a lot of people here.
01:23:50.166 --> 01:23:51.458
Do you know how many are coming?
01:23:51.458 --> 01:23:53.709
- 150.
- 150?
01:23:56.166 --> 01:23:58.333
- Hey, guys,
so this is Madiha.
01:23:58.333 --> 01:23:59.166
- Hi.
- Hi.
01:23:59.166 --> 01:24:00.917
- Nice to meet you.
- Madiha, this is my dad.
01:24:00.917 --> 01:24:03.291
- Mohannad, nice to meet you.
- Yes.
01:24:03.291 --> 01:24:04.542
- We're gonna do
the English classes.
01:24:04.542 --> 01:24:06.875
Have you started those yet?
- No.
01:24:06.875 --> 01:24:09.375
- Where is it?
01:24:09.375 --> 01:24:10.834
- In Baltimore, downtown.
01:24:10.834 --> 01:24:12.333
- Downtown Baltimore?
- Yeah.
01:24:12.333 --> 01:24:14.291
- How are you gonna get there?
01:24:14.291 --> 01:24:16.000
- The bus.
- Yeah.
01:24:17.959 --> 01:24:19.709
- Hello. Hi.
01:24:21.500 --> 01:24:23.458
- How do you say that?
"Kah-bah"?
01:24:23.458 --> 01:24:25.333
- Kubbah.
- Kubbah.
01:24:25.333 --> 01:24:27.583
- This is very sweet.
01:24:37.125 --> 01:24:38.417
- Harissa is...
01:24:38.417 --> 01:24:40.208
- Hot spice.
- Exactly.
01:24:40.208 --> 01:24:41.959
- What was the rice
seasoned with?
01:24:41.959 --> 01:24:44.250
- Advieh.
- How long did it take you?
01:24:44.250 --> 01:24:46.750
- How long was the trip?
- Oh, how long?
01:24:46.750 --> 01:24:49.583
(man translating to Arabic)
01:24:51.417 --> 01:24:53.250
- Uh...
01:24:55.250 --> 01:25:00.500
- From like 3:00 p.m.
to 9:00 p.m., walking.
01:25:03.041 --> 01:25:04.709
- Daraa.
- From here.
01:25:04.709 --> 01:25:07.291
18 hours in the airplane.
01:25:07.291 --> 01:25:11.250
- Yeah. You know Irbid?
- Irbid!
01:25:14.041 --> 01:25:16.959
- But you speak Arabic good.
01:25:21.083 --> 01:25:24.083
- Hello.
My name is Mohammad.
01:25:24.083 --> 01:25:26.834
I would like
to thank this church
01:25:26.834 --> 01:25:29.834
for setting up this dinner.
01:25:29.834 --> 01:25:32.583
I would like to thank Leah
01:25:32.583 --> 01:25:36.166
for help me and my family
in many things.
01:25:36.166 --> 01:25:39.875
And Mrs. Cate and Deborah
and Elizabeth
01:25:39.875 --> 01:25:42.917
to help me learn English.
01:25:42.917 --> 01:25:44.000
Thank you.
01:25:44.000 --> 01:25:46.417
(applause)
01:25:49.125 --> 01:25:50.417
- Hello, everyone.
01:25:50.417 --> 01:25:51.834
(audience)
- Hello.
01:25:51.834 --> 01:25:52.500
- I am Mohannad.
01:25:52.500 --> 01:25:56.291
I was eight years old
when we left Syria.
01:25:56.291 --> 01:25:59.542
I don't remember very much
about Syria.
01:25:59.542 --> 01:26:06.500
We were all happy when we know
we were coming to America.
01:26:06.500 --> 01:26:09.041
I am happy now.
I like school.
01:26:09.041 --> 01:26:12.125
My teacher is good
and I have friends.
01:26:12.125 --> 01:26:16.000
My brothers like
to live here, too.
01:26:16.000 --> 01:26:17.750
Thank you.
01:26:17.750 --> 01:26:20.208
(applause)
01:26:22.208 --> 01:26:26.583
♪♪
01:26:44.583 --> 01:26:47.250
(indistinct chatter)
01:27:02.041 --> 01:27:03.667
- Look.
01:27:04.917 --> 01:27:07.709
Oh, congrats!
- Yippee!
01:27:11.667 --> 01:27:16.083
♪♪
01:27:24.000 --> 01:27:26.667
(indistinct chatter)
01:27:29.166 --> 01:27:31.625
(applause)
01:27:35.208 --> 01:27:37.667
(laughter)
01:28:03.041 --> 01:28:07.458
♪♪
Distributor: Bullfrog Films
Length: 91 minutes
Date: 2018
Genre: Expository
Language: English
Grade: 10 - 12, College, Adults
Color/BW:
Closed Captioning: Available
Audio description: Available
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