Coming to America

I've only ever been able to speak to my Nepali friend Daya** through twin metal fences that separate visitors from detainees at the Immigration Detention Center here in Bangkok. That might soon change. We've just received word from the US Embassy and immigration officials that Daya is in the last stages of being approved for refugee resettlement in the USA, and if all goes well he'll be heading to America in 3 to 4 months. Coming to America! In 2011 it's still a big part of the refugee dream, a dream that may soon come true for a man who over 4 years has suffered a refugee nightmare.

Though Thailand is for the most part a welcoming country, refugees here are not recipients of the country's legendary hospitality. Thailand has not signed the UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, meaning that

even those people who receive UNHCR status as recognized refugees are not protected under Thai law. After their initial visas expire, usually in 60-90 days, refugees are considered illegal immigrants in Thailand, leaving them vulnerable to extortion and arrest. The fortunate ones have their money and cell phones taken from them by corrupt Thai police officers and are then released; the less fortunate are sent to the IDC where they remain locked up for years and years until they are resettled in a third country or decide to return home. This is the refugee nightmare - persecuted in their home country, harassed and detained in Thailand, a seemingly eternal wait to find a third country to call home. Thankfully, Daya's nightmare is about to end.

Like many male Nepali refugees, Daya's nightmare started in the early 2000's when he was caught up in the conflict between the Nepali government military and Maoist rebels, an unresolved conflict that is even today showing signs of exploding into violence once again. With hopes of one day reuniting his family in a safe place, Daya fled to Thailand, not fully understanding the serious problems facing asylum seekers and refugees here. Few asylum seekers do. But because of Thailand's peaceful reputation as a gracious and welcoming Buddhist country, the refugees keep coming. Some avoid the police for years. Some manage to bail themselves out of the IDC. But for many, like Daya, they are arrested and rot away their lives in the sweltering, overcrowded IDC where they are reduced to waiting and waiting and waiting some more. Many barely speak English but know two important words: wait and pending. They is what they are always told - wait, be patient, your case is stil pending.

Daya's case is still technically pending, but it looks like his 4-year nightmare at the IDC is mercifully coming to an end. I visited him this morning, bringing him his monthly staples of food and toiletries and snacks, and reassured him that I would continue doing what I could to help him have sponsors and friends to help him once he gets to the US. This past month I had a group of my friends from the Los Angeles area visit Bangkok and the IDC with me, and I'm hoping that this trip will inspire them and many more of our friends from our church and wider community in LA to support refugees such as Daya when they come to America. I hope he's just the first of my friends who will make their way to the US - I have many, many more refugee friends here in Thailand who may be coming over the next few years, people who will be in tremendous need of logistical and financial and emotional support as they struggle to adjust to a new and shockingly different country. The USA is a dream for many, but a place that will still require years of support and advocacy for resettled refugees to successfully integrate into their new home. I hope that many of my readers will help in this process.

Two years ago, I knew very little about the refugee situation in Thailand, and when I first came here I wasn't even thinking of getting involved in refugee work. Since then my eyes have been opened to a world of desperation and need and politics and confusion, an international struggle to find safe homes for the world's millions of refugees. Thanks to Daya, my first refugee friend, I now have refugee friends from all over the world: Congo, Pakistan, Iran, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Nepal, Somalia and more. At times I've overwhelmed by their need, and I pray almost every day for a team to join me in Thailand to serve these needy people. It's a long, lifetime process. It will take extraordinary vision and dedication to change the international climate for refugees and find millions a home.

Thankfully, for my first refugee friend, his home should soon be changing. If all goes well, he will be coming to America. Please join me in making America a good home for Daya and the many more refugees that I hope will soon be joining him.

**Though I know that some of you know who this is, for Daya's security, and until he is resettled, I have used a pseudonym for him. Soon he will be free to tell his story to the world.

Comments

[paulgraf]

Hi Troy,
I heard from Daya (here) that "Daya" is on his way. Thanks for all your help.

Paul