Asian American Institute - Collecting Immigration Stories

APA Immigration Story Collections
Asian American Institute (AAI) is launching an immigration stories collection project as part of a national movement to locate Asian American immigrant stories at the forefront of U.S. immigration debate. AAI asks you and/or your agency to identify clients, families, and friends who are willing to share their immigration stories. Interviewees may share their names or remain anonymous.

 
Why are we collecting the stories?

• Education of the communityâ€"many remain silent thinking that they alone have these problems

• Educate the media and policy makers
• Highlight some of the successes and hardships that have come with US immigration laws

What are the types of stories we are looking for?

• Stories could include
  • People waiting to be reunified with their family members,
  • individuals eligible for the Dream Act
  • undocumented individuals seeking for legalization
  • individuals at the risk or in the midst of deportation proceedings,
  • individuals with temporary worker visas who have had difficulty obtaining a green card
  • "success" stories of immigrants who have contributed to American society through entrepreneurship and/or hard work

What will we do with the stories?

• If you agree to publicize your story, we would like to have a list of people who are willing speak out at rallies, to talk to the media and to policy makers (meetings with US Reps) because this makes the most impact on policy makers.  We have seen many policy makers soften if not change their positions when faced with real people who are affected by their decisions. 
• Stories that we can publish on our website, or give in a handout (with or without names) to educate others. Again, giving a face to the problems that immigrants face, or how they have benefited the US.

If you are interested in participating, please contact April Lewton at 773-271-0899 or email at april@aaichicago.org.