Today’s bonus episode features a recording from the October 25th webinar – Safeguarding Refugee Resettlement: Navigating Policy Shifts in a Changing Political Landscape - co-hosted by The Episcopal Church’s Office of Government Relations and Episcopal Migration Ministries. 

The panel discussion explores the impact policy changes and financial constraints have on the ability of agencies to support and integrate refugees into their local communities. The panelists discuss the crucial role that faith-based organizations play in resettling refugees, welcoming them into our communities, and advocating for the continuation of this vital program.  

Panelists include:  

• Asad Bigzad, Program Officer for Post-Arrival Quality Assurance, Episcopal Migration Ministries, and former refugee from Afghanistan  
• Sarah Shipman, Director, Episcopal Migration Ministries  
• Troy Collazo, Policy Advisor, The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations  
• Troy Elder, Executive Director, Interfaith Refugee & Immigrant Service (IRIS), Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles  

Follow us on FB, LinkedIn, and Instagram, where we are @emmrefugees.    

Join in the ministry of welcome by making a gift to Episcopal Migration Ministries. No gift is too small, and all gifts are used to support and grow our work resettling refugees, supporting asylum seekers, and creating welcoming communities for all our immigrant siblings. Visit episcopalmigrationministries.org/give or text HOMETOWN to 91999.   

Our theme song composer is Abraham Mwinda Ikando. Find his music at abrahammwinda.bandcamp.com.

Today’s episode of Hometown features an interview with Salemu Alimasi. Salemu and his family, originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, came to the U.S. as refugees in 2011 and settled in Houston. A passionate advocate for years, Salemu has worked as a grassroots community organizer with Church World Service since 2023. 

We invite you to join us for a lively conversation where we learn about Salemu’s early years, his family’s experiences living in refugee camps, and the transition and adjustment to living in the U.S. Prepare to be inspired by Salemu’s passion and commitment to advocating for the rights and protections of all forced migrants. 

For even more background on Salemu, we encourage you to visit the EMM blog on our website for a three-part series on Salemu’s journey - Salemu’s story, Part 1: Child of Lake Tanganyika - Episcopal Migration Ministries. Thank you for listening. 

Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram where we are emmrefugees.  

Join in the ministry of welcome by making a gift to Episcopal Migration Ministries. No gift is too small, and all gifts are used to sustain and expand our work resettling refugees, supporting asylum seekers, and creating welcoming communities for all of our immigrant siblings. Visit episcopalmigrationministries.org/give or text HOMETOWN to 91999. 

Our theme song composer is Abraham Mwinda Ikando. Find his music at abrahammwinda.bandcamp.com. 

In this episode, we speak with Robert Vivar, migration missioner for the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego since January 2023. Having lived on both sides of the U.S./Mexico border, Robert understands the factors driving sustained levels of global migration as well as the vulnerabilities of people forced to leave their homes. He also brings to this role a deep faith in God and long-established connections with organizations serving migrants, asylum seekers, deported veterans, and others in need on both sides of the border.  

We invite you to tune in to our conversation with Robert Vivar. He offers such a fresh and genuine perspective on questions of enduring importance: Who is our neighbor? How might the notion of "courageous love" help us respond to our neighbors’ deepest needs? Where and how are we called to be the church in today’s world?  Whether borderlands are part of your current landscape or a distant reality, we think you will find this conversation with Robert as invigorating as we did. Join us in embracing "courageous love" as we welcome our newest neighbors.  

Follow us on FB, LinkedIn, and Instagram where we are @emmrefugees.    

Join in the ministry of welcome by making a gift to Episcopal Migration Ministries. No gift is too small, and all gifts are used to support and grow our work resettling refugees, supporting asylum seekers, and creating welcoming communities for all our immigrant siblings. Visit episcopalmigrationministries.org/give or text HOMETOWN to 91999.   

Our theme song composer is Abraham Mwinda Ikando. Find his music at abrahammwinda.bandcamp.com.

NOTE: This episode has been rereleased to include a missing piece of audio.

Today’s episode features a conversation with members of the Ocean Springs Remote Placement Community Partner team out of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Ocean Springs, Mississippi.

Cynthia Ramseur, Lena Melton, and Peggy Butera share their experience of joining together as a community to welcome and support a newly arrived refugee family. Their stories highlight what is possible when we trust that we already have all we need to make someone feel welcome. Listen as they share their “aha” moment, how they invited the gifts and skills of their congregation, and the many lessons learned.

Follow us on FB, LinkedIn, and Instagram where we are emmrefugees.

Join in the ministry of welcome by making a gift to Episcopal Migration Ministries. No gift is too small, and all gifts are used to support and grow our work resettling refugees, supporting asylum seekers, and creating welcoming communities for all our immigrant siblings. Visit episcopalmigrationministries.org/give or text HOMETOWN to 91999. 

Our theme song composer is Abraham Mwinda Ikando. Find his music at abrahammwinda.bandcamp.com.

Today’s guest on Hometown is Karimullah Kamwar. Karim is an Afghan national who lives and works in Syracuse, New York.

Karim grew up in Mazar-e-Sharif, a city in northern Afghanistan. After college and graduate school, he began working in the nonprofit sector and started a family. 

However, in August 2021, when the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan and the Taliban took over, Karim and his family were in danger, due to the work he had done for many years. 

Fortunately, they were able to be evacuated, first to Qatar and then to the U.S. Along with many other Afghan evacuees, they were granted humanitarian parole.

After spending several weeks on a U.S. military base, Karim and his family were resettled in Syracuse. There, they received support through InterFaith Works of Central New York, which is one of Episcopal Migration Ministries’ affiliate organizations, and also from a legal organization that offers pro bono services to people in need of help applying for asylum and other immigration status changes.

Karim and his family saw right away how important it was for newcomers in the U.S. to have digital skills. As soon as he could, Karim began working as the Digital Empowerment Manager with a Syracuse-based community center. For his work, Karim was recognized in 2024 as a Digital Equity Champion and Emerging Leader by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance. 

The story of the Kamwar family illustrates the challenges of entering the U.S. with humanitarian parole, which provides temporary permission to live in the U.S., but no guarantee of legal permanent residency. As you listen to our conversation with Karim, we invite you to imagine the hopes and the obstacles that many newcomers face, as under dire circumstances beyond their control, they seek a safe place to call home for themselves and their loved ones. We are grateful to Karim Kamwar for joining us today, and for the impact that he is already having on his new community.

Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram where we are @emmrefugees.  

Join in the ministry of welcome by making a gift to Episcopal Migration Ministries. No gift is too small, and all gifts are used to sustain and expand our work resettling refugees, supporting asylum seekers, and creating welcoming communities for all of our immigrant siblings. Visit episcopalmigrationministries.org/give or text HOMETOWN to 91999. 

Our theme song composer is Abraham Mwinda Ikando. Find his music at abrahammwinda.bandcamp.com .

Today’s episode features a recording from the April 26th webinar, Part 1: LGBTQIA2S+ Migrants, from The Office of Government Relations (OGR) of The Episcopal Church and Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM). The first of three installments of “A Closer Look” Immigration Series, this session features LGBTQIA2S+ migration expert Craig Mortley, M.Sc., who provides a deeper understanding of the unique challenges and legal hurdles faced by this community as they navigate the complexities of migration. Through personal stories and expert insights, we explore the intersections of sexual orientation, gender identity, and the immigrant experience. You’ll gain valuable knowledge on the barriers LGBTQIA2S+ migrants encounter, from accessing essential services to securing legal status. Additionally, we discuss effective ways to advocate for the rights and well-being of this marginalized group, empowering you to become a stronger ally and advocate for positive change.  

*The acronym "LGBTQIA2S+" stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, Two-Spirit, and the "+" symbol represents the many other sexual orientations and gender identities that are not explicitly included in the acronym. This inclusive term acknowledges the diverse and expansive spectrum of human sexuality and gender expression. 

Take action: Support LGBTQIA2S+ action alert: https://www.votervoice.net/EPISCOPAL/Campaigns/115033/Respond 

Follow us on FB, LinkedIn, and Instagram where we are emmrefugees.  

Join in the ministry of welcome by making a gift to Episcopal Migration Ministries. No gift is too small, and all gifts are used to support and grow our work resettling refugees, supporting asylum seekers, and creating welcoming communities for all our immigrant siblings. Visit episcopalmigrationministries.org/give or text HOMETOWN to 91999.

Our theme song composer is Abraham Mwinda Ikando. Find his music at abrahammwinda.bandcamp.com .

Today’s episode features a conversation with Mariti Zirarusha (also known as Martin), who with his parents and six siblings were resettled in Tucson, Arizona, as refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Martin shares about his time living in the Kyangwali Refugee Camp in Uganda, the journey to become acclimated to life in a new community in the U.S., and the joy of feeling at home. In addition to attending high school, Martin participates in the Refugee Youth Mentorship Program (RYMP), led by Melissa Benvegno-Bryant of LSS-SW-Tucson.

Follow us on FB, LinkedIn, and Instagram where we are emmrefugees. 

Join in the ministry of welcome by making a gift to Episcopal Migration Ministries. No gift is too small, and all gifts are used to sustain and expand our work resettling refugees, supporting asylum seekers, and creating welcoming communities for all of our immigrant siblings.

Visit episcopalmigrationministries.org/give or text HOMETOWN to 91999.

Our theme song composer is Abraham Mwinda Ikando. Find his music at abrahammwinda.bandcamp.com.

Today’s episode features a conversation with Nasratullah Khalil. Khalil, as he prefers to be called, is an Afghan national who now lives and works in Syracuse, New York.

In August 2021, Khalil and his family were forced into hiding after the U.S. abruptly withdrew from Afghanistan and the Taliban took over. Since Khalil had worked for a U.S. military subcontractor, he was eligible for a Special Immigrant Visa. However, at the time that U.S. troops withdrew, his visa had not yet been granted, and thus he and his family, including four children under the age of 10, were in danger. 

Our discussion highlighted the pleasures of living in Afghanistan before the civil war broke out, the challenges of getting an education and being an adult during war, and the perils and obstacles Khalil and his family faced once they were no longer safe in Afghanistan. Khalil also underscored his children’s efforts to make sense of their fate, as the family fled their homeland, saw their savings and options dwindle, and wondered if they would be forced, for lack of options, to return to Afghanistan.

At the last possible minute, Khalil’s SIV was granted, and the family made their way to the U.S. and settled in Syracuse. Khalil now works with Interfaith Works of Central New York, helping to pave the way for other newcomers. 

Follow us on FB, LinkedIn, and Instagram where we are emmrefugees.  

Join in the ministry of welcome by making a gift to Episcopal Migration Ministries. No gift is too small, and all gifts are used to support and grow our work resettling refugees, supporting asylum seekers, and creating welcoming communities for all our immigrant siblings. Visit episcopalmigrationministries.org/give or text HOMETOWN to 91999. 

Our theme song composer is Abraham Mwinda Ikando. Find his music at abrahammwinda.bandcamp.com.

Today’s episode features Rebecca Hamlin, a professor of political science and legal studies at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Professor Hamlin’s research and teaching interests center on law and immigration, with a special interest in understanding how people who cross borders are categorized under the law and in public discourse. 

In our discussion with Professor Hamlin, she explained her approach to teaching about global migration and underscored the legacy of colonialism and wealth inequality in much of global migration today. Drawing on her research, Rebecca Hamlin highlighted the variability of different countries’ systems for deciding who should receive asylum; key turning points in the history of immigration in the U.S.; and factors that drive global migration.  

Her most recent book, Crossing, focuses on ways in which terms such as “refugee” and “migrant” are used in public discourse, as organizations and individuals endeavor to build support for specific policies and practices. In brief, her work provides much food for thought about the deeper questions that all societies must face as they determine who is deserving of safe haven, assistance, and access to essential resources. For those interested in learning more, we highly recommend these publications by Rebecca Hamlin: 

• ‘Migrants?’ ‘Refugees?’ Terminology is Powerful, Contested, and Evolving. Migration Policy Institute, 2022. Accessible here. 
• Crossing: How We Label and React to People on the Move. Palo Alto, CA:  Stanford University Press, 2021.  
• Let Me Be a Refugee: Administrative Justice and the Politics of Asylum in the United States, Canada, and Australia. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2014. 

As well as these related resources: 

• E. Tendayi Achiume. “Re-Imagining International Law for Global Migration: Migration as Decolonization?” American Journal of International Law 111: 142-146. 2017. 
• Eoin Colfer & Andrew Donkin. Illegal: A graphic novel telling one boy's epic journey to Europe. Illustrated by Giovanni Rigano. Hodder Children’s Books, 2018. 
• Suketu Mehta. This Land is Our Land: An Immigrant’s Manifesto. New York: Penguin Random House, 2019. 
• “The Left to Die Boat” (podcast). BBC World Service Documentary (2012) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0101r27 (53 Minutes) 

Follow us on FB, LinkedIn, and Instagram where we are emmrefugees.  

Join in the ministry of welcome by making a gift to Episcopal Migration Ministries. No gift is too small, and all gifts are used to sustain and expand our work resettling refugees, supporting asylum seekers, and creating welcoming communities for all of our immigrant siblings. Visit episcopalmigrationministries.org/give or text HOMETOWN to 91999. 

Our theme song composer is Abraham Mwinda Ikando. Find his music at abrahammwinda.bandcamp.com .

Today’s episode features a conversation with Mohammad Jawad, a refugee from Syria, who was resettled in Syracuse, N.Y., with his wife and children. Mohammad shares memories of his youth in Syria before the civil war, the obstacles he and his family faced as they fled their homeland and lived for ten years in a refugee camp in Jordan, and the opportunities they found when they were selected for resettlement in the U.S. 

Using the skills in information technology that he honed against all odds during their years in limbo in Jordan, Mohammad now works for InterFaith Works of Central New York, one of EMM’s affiliate organizations in Syracuse. To hear his story is to be amazed at the power of human resilience and determination in the pursuit of one’s dreams.

Follow us on FB, LinkedIn, and Instagram, where we are @emmrefugees.

Join in the ministry of welcome by making a gift to Episcopal Migration Ministries. No gift is too small, and all gifts are used to sustain and expand our work resettling refugees, supporting asylum seekers, and creating welcoming communities for all of our immigrant siblings. Visit episcopalmigrationministries.org/give or text HOMETOWN to 91999.

Our theme song composer is Abraham Mwinda Ikando. Find his music at abrahammwinda.bandcamp.com.