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At 23, Jose has spent nearly his entire life in the United States-- going to school, making friends, dreaming big. But unlike many of his peers, Jose lives every day with a secret: he’s undocumented. He missed the chance to apply for DACA when he was a kid, not because of anything he did wrong, but because of a missed deadline…a mistake his mother made years ago. Now, he’s caught in a legal limbo with no clear path forward. In this episode, we follow Jose’s story, from the moment he realized he didn’t have papers, to the quiet sacrifices he makes every day just to stay under the radar. What does it mean to grow up in a country that feels like home, but doesn’t recognize you? And what happens when your future depends on a window that closed before you were old enough to open it? Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story. This episode was produced, edited, and hosted by Amal Elhelw. Special thanks to Jenna Woodring for editorial support and to Gregg Palmer for post-production support. This interview was conducted by Amal Elhelw and our executive producer, Sankar Raman. Thank you to St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Beaverton, Oregon, for letting us use their space to record this interview. This episode is made possible by the generous support by the Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation. To find more stories, visit The Immigrant Story website, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts.

Many of us have been told who we are, who we should be. Maybe we’ve been judged for the actions of our parents, the color of our skin, the way our eyes look,  the accent someone tells us we have, or for not conforming to expectations of how our gender supposedly should act. Often this judgement comes from our families, our classmates, our colleagues. Sometimes from the towns we live in, our cities or states, our country. We can wonder where we belong, if anywhere, who we are, who we should be, who we want to be.  Each of us goes on a journey, some expeditions full of more hurdles and roadblocks than others. Many of us hoping to filter out the noise, ask the hard questions, discover the truth, and stay true to what we find. But also to come to peace with the things we cannot change.  Our three storytellers in today’s episode tell of such journeys.  The Immigrant Story Live is a production of The Immigrant Story.  This episode was hosted, produced, and edited by Meg Ritter. Storyboard was edited by Fran Silverman and Degen Larkin with audio post production done by Gregg Palmer. Our Executive Producer is Sankar Raman. All stories were part of I’m an American Live, a series of storytelling events showcasing Asian American voices, staged at the Patricia Reser Center for the Performing Arts in Beaverton, Oregon. If you want to catch up on our past live events, don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel @theimmigrantstorylive.  This episode is part of the Oregon Rises Above Hate series, generously funded by Anne Naito-Campbell. For more stories, visit the immigrantstory.org/manyroads, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts.

Born in a Tanzanian refugee camp to parents who fled conflict in the Congo, Jeanette Muibi grew up walking toward a future she couldn’t yet imagine. In this episode, she shares her journey from survival to self-discovery—a story of resilience, heartbreak, and the courage to rise again. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story. This episode was produced by Naomi Bone, with audio editing by Jack McDonald and post-production by Gregg Palmer. The original interview was conducted by our executive producer Sankar Raman at Portland Community College’s Southeast Campus Library in the fall of 2024. This episode was made possible through a generous contribution from the Zidell Family Foundation. For more stories, visit theimmigrantstory.org/manyroads, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts. Trigger Warning: This episode contains content that may be distressing to some viewers, including depictions of sexual violence. Viewer discretion is strongly advised. This episode was produced by Naomi Bone while she was a high school student working with The Immigrant Story staff. Naomi graduated in May 2025 from Catlin Gabel School in Portland, Oregon.

At just 50-years-old, Rukshana Hafez Triem could say she’s lived many lives. From fleeing her home country of Mozambique at just 5-years-old to being a refugee  3-times over…first in Malawi, then Zambia, and finally the United States. She took on the role of caregiver as the eldest of 5 children while enduring the trauma of sexual abuse at the hands of her father. Despite the 16 years of pain, she later found the courage to break the silence that had held her captive for so long. This episode contains discussion of sexual violence, which may be distressing or triggering for some listeners. Please take care of your mental and emotional well-being, and feel free to skip this episode if the subject matter is too difficult. If you or someone you know is affected by these issues, consider seeking support from a trusted resource or professional. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story.  This episode was produced, audio edited and hosted Amal Elhelw. Special thanks to Fran Silverman for script editing, and to Gregg Palmer for post-production support. Our Executive producer is Sankar Raman. Thank you to St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Beaverton, Oregon, for letting us use their space to record this interview. This episode is made possible by a generous contribution from the Zidell Family Foundation.  For more stories, visit theimmigrantstory.org/manyroads, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts.

Erica Naito-Campbell, the author of Portland’s Audacious Champion: How Bill Naito Overcame Anti-Japanese Hate and Became an Intrepid Civic Leader in  conversation with  Eliza Canty Jones– chief program officer at the Oregon Historical Society and editor of the Oregon Historical Quarterly. Erica speaks about her grandfather’s influence and legacy in Portland, yes, but also about his lesser known story–the trauma and racism he experienced during WWII and how he carried that through his life, how it propelled him to great action. In exploring his story, Erica gains a deeper understanding of her beloved grandfather–the public figure and the private man– and his history. But ultimately she gains a greater understanding of herself, what she wants for future generations, and what she hopes for Portland now. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story.  This episode was hosted, produced and edited by Meg Ritter. Storyboard was edited by Fran Silverman with audio post production by Gregg Palmer. The original interview was conducted by our executive producer, Sankar Raman, in October of 2024. Thank you to St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Beaverton, Oregon for the use of their space to record the interview. This episode is made possible by the generous support by the Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation. For more stories, visit theimmigrantstory.org/manyroads, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts. For more information about Portland’s Audacious Champion: How Bill Naito Overcame Anti-Japanese Hate and Became an Intrepid Civic Leader, please vist: https://osupress.oregonstate.edu/book/portlands-audacious-champion

When Thao Nguyen was born in Vietnam, she was seen as an outsider. The daughter of a Vietnamese woman and an African-American soldier, she was considered  an American in her own country. When she immigrated to the United States in the 1990s, it offered a promise of belonging and a fresh start. But on a summer day in Oregon, her life took a turn she could have never imagined. This episode of Many Roads to Here traces Thao’s powerful journey—one shaped by resilience, identity, and a search for home. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story. This episode was produced and edited by Kate Mishkin, with post-production by Gregg Palmer. The original interview was conducted by Sankar Raman in the fall of 2024 at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Beaverton, Oregon. Released on the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, this story is part of a special series highlighting the voices and experiences of Asian Americans. It was made possible through the generous support of Anne Naito-Campbell and the Oregon Rises Above Hate coalition. Learn more at: oregonrisesabovehate.com For more stories, visit theimmigrantstory.org/manyroads, tune in at prp.fm, or stream Many Roads to Here wherever you get your podcasts.

TK grew up an exile in his own home country of Rhodesia. Under white minority rule, Black people weren’t allowed in certain schools or movie theaters  and it could even be dangerous to be out after dark. When Robert Mugabe came to power with promises of freedom and equality, it was cause for celebration nation-wide. But the peace and freedom he promised turned into a dangerous and corrupt system. To find safety, TK would need to give up his successful law career and start over, in a brand new country, in a brand new life.  Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story.  This episode was produced, edited and hosted by Selene Ross. Audio post-production done by Gregg Palmer. The original interview was conducted by Sankar Ramanin the fall of 2023. Thank you to St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Beaverton for the use of their space to record the interview. This episode is made possible by a generous contribution from the Zidell Family Foundation. For more stories, visit theimmigrantstory.org/manyroads, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts.

Mohsin Jamal is a quick learner. It was an essential survival skill for a young child from Afghanistan’s Hazara minority, a persecuted ethnic group  for whom decades of military occupation, war, and political infighting had uniquely high stakes. But thanks to a mind that was quick with numbers and hands gifted at weaving, Mohsin fled and survived war more than once, journeying through Afghanistan and Pakistan, and finally building a life in Portland. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story.  This episode was was produced, edited and hosted by Haleema Shah. Audio post-production done by Gregg Palmer. The original interview was conducted by Sankar Raman in the fall of 2024. Thank you to St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Beaverton for the use of their space to record the interview. This episode is a part of a series exploring the stories and experiences of Asian Americans. in a climate of Anti-Asian rhetoric and increasing violence. It is produced as part of the Oregon Rises Above Hate coalition and made possible by a generous contribution by Anne Naito-Campbell.  To learn more about the Oregon Rises Above Hate Coalition, please visit https://oregonrisesabovehate.com. For more stories, visit theimmigrantstory.org/manyroads, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts.

Fifteen year-olds can be… a lot. It’s often when a rebellious streak first emerges, when a kid might start sneaking out, breaking curfew or perhaps,  skipping school and lying about their age to become an interpreter for the American soldiers occupying your hometown in Afghanistan. Or at least that’s what being a teenager was like for Nasirullah Safi, who grew up in the Kunar Valley between Afghanistan and Pakistan, a land plagued by constant conflict and war. But guided by the advice of his father and the dreams of his mother, he left Kunar and found his way to another valley: the Willamette. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story.  This episode was produced, edited and hosted by Selene Ross. Audio post-production done by Gregg Palmer. The original interview was conducted by Sankar Raman in the fall of 2023. Many thanks to St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Beaverton, Oregon for the use of their space. This episode is a part of a series exploring the stories and experiences of Asian Americans. It is produced as part of the Oregon Rises Above Hate coalition and made possible by a generous contribution by Anne Naito-Campbell.  To learn more about the Oregon Rises Above Hate Coalition, please visit https://oregonrisesabovehate.com. For more stories, visit theimmigrantstory.org/manyroads, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts.

This episode brings together two remarkable women, both public servants. Sophorn Cheang is the director of Business Oregon, the economic development   agency for the state of Oregon. Toc Soneoulay-Gillespie is the director of the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement for the state. They’ve worked together throughout their careers, and their relationship is one of friendship and mutual respect. They spoke about what it feels like to finally be inside the halls of power, with the opportunity to make a difference. Together they reflected on the promises and struggles of serving in government, got real about how immigration policy has advanced and stalled over time, and wondered how to involve the community in public policy decisions. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story. This episode was produced and edited by Caitlin Dwyer Young, with post production by Gregg Palmer. Our Executive producer is the Sankar Raman. Thank you to St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Beaverton, Oregon for letting us use their space to record. And a huge thank you to Toc and Sophorn for the generosity of their time. This episode is produced as a part of Oregon Rises Against Hate coalition, and made possible by a generous contribution by Anne Naito-Campbell. For more stories, visit The Immigrant Story website, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts.

What does a mental health journey look like? How can art, music, and therapy bring us to better self understanding and self love? In this episode, Portland Community College student Jose Perez Salazar interviews Joaquin Lopez, one of the creative laureates of Portland, Oregon. They discuss the healing power of art, what it means to listen to your parents’ music, and how Lopez found meaning in staging and singing Latino gay stories. This is our first conversation co-produced by a first-generation student. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story. Many thanks to Jose Perez Salazar for co-producing this episode with me. And huge thanks to Joaquin for this conversation, and for his beautiful music. This episode was recorded at Portland Community College and generously funded by the Zidell Family Foundation. Gregg Palmer did our post production. Music was composed and performed by Joaquin Lopez. Our executive producer is the undeniable Sankar Raman. For more stories, visit our website, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts.

Welcome to The Immigrant Story Live, where we feature stories from the stage. In each episode of this new series we weave together three stories that were originallyperformed at an Immigrant Story Live Event. For episode two of this series, you’ll hear from three storytellers — Ghassan Bin Hammam, Rama Youssef, and Meghna Damani – who each found themselves trapped in situations they never could have expected.  A warning to our listening, this episode contains descriptions of violence and suicidal ideation, so please take care while listening.  Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story. This episode was produced by Degen Larkin. Audio editing was done by Gregg Palmer. Music was sourced from Soundstripe. Graphics for this episode were designed by Jacqueline Pagano. Our executive producer is Sankar Raman. Many thanks to Alton Takiyama-Chung and Nancy Dollahite for coaching our fabulous storytellers. This episode is made possible by a generous contribution by the Zidell Family Foundation. To view the films Meghna Damani discusses in today’s episode you can visit her website https://www.meghnadamani.com or follow her on instagram @megdamani  For more stories, visit theimmigrantstory.org/manyroads, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts. 

Veronika Levytska  and Ian Levytsky  grew up in Ukraine but dreamed of an easier life - away from the shadow of Russia - for themselves and their loved ones. In 2018, after years of waiting, they found freedom and opportunity here in the U.S. on the East Coast shores of a Connecticut town. But their loved ones remain in harms way. How do they hold both in their hands? Their own happiness and their desire for their family members to enjoy the same? Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story. This episode was produced by Fran Silverman. Our audio editing was done by Greg Palmer. The original interview was conducted by Fran Silverman at the New Haven Public Library, which has graciously provided us space. This episode is made possible by a generous contribution from the Zidell Family Foundation. For more episodes, https://theimmigrantstory.org/category/episode/ or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Many Roads to Here is expanding. We’re looking for radio producers, especially those from immigrant communities and communities of color, to join our team. We’re all-volunteer for now, but we’ve got dreams. Please email [email protected] for more information. For more stories, visit theimmigrantstory.org/manyroads, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts.

As a young woman growing up in a conservative society, Safia Ferozi overcame intense expectations and restrictions placed on women  to become Afghanistan’s second female Air Force pilot. Before her country and her life were turned upside down, she was a trailblazing commander, leading an Air Force squadron of 200. Safia was forced to flee when the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Now she is one of 250 Afghan pilots grounded in the U.S., no longer able to fly. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story. This episode was produced by Elayna Yussen, with audio editing by Gregg Palmer and executive producer Sankar Raman. This episode was funded through a generous contribution from Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation. We'd like to thank Salem for Refugees for connecting us with Safia and letting us use their space to record this interview, which took place in March of 2023. For more episodes, https://theimmigrantstory.org/category/episode/ or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Many Roads to Here is expanding. We’re looking for radio producers, especially those from immigrant communities and communities of color, to join our team. We’re all-volunteer for now, but we’ve got dreams. Please email [email protected] for more information. For more stories, visit theimmigrantstory.org/manyroads, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts.

When you think of courageous living, playing music is probably not the first thing that comes to mind. But Dijana Ihas, a professional musician and refugee of war, learned how to transform her viola skills into a remarkable display of bravery. As bombs rained down over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the early 1990s, Dijana and several other musicians risked their lives to host hundreds of concerts. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story. This episode was produced by Mae Ghylin, with audio editing by Gregg Palmer and executive producer Sankar Raman. The music used in this podcast episode were recorded live on stage at Alex L. Parks Performing Arts Center, Jesuit High School in Beaverton, Oregon, on Saturday, September 11, 2021 by Kapila Chandramouli of Kapshur Lab. The Immigrant Story Live recreated the music of the Sarajevo String Quartet, with Dijana Ihas playing the viola accompanied by local string players.  This episode was funded through a generous contribution from Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation. For more episodes, https://theimmigrantstory.org/category/episode/ or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Many Roads to Here is expanding. We’re looking for radio producers, especially those from immigrant communities and communities of color, to join our team. We’re all-volunteer for now, but we’ve got dreams. Please email [email protected] for more information. For more stories, visit theimmigrantstory.org/manyroads, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts.