Session 2. This oral history interview with Eva Aigner and Les Aigner was conducted in two sessions in 2018. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States. The second session was conducted by Elizabeth Mehren and Sankar Raman. In the second session, the Aigners discuss their work educating the public about the Holocaust. They talk about the circumstances that led to the Holocaust, including the increasing antisemitism they experienced. They also talk about life in post-war Communist Hungary. Les Aigner describes his experience in Auschwitz, including the death of his mother and sister in the gas chambers; describes returning to Auschwitz on a recent trip; and his liberation from Dachau in 1945. Eva Aigner talks about living in the Jewish ghetto in Budapest, Hungary, her mother’s escape from the freight train taking her to a death camp; and the liberation of the ghetto in 1945. Eva Aigner also talks about another unnamed Holocaust survivor’s story. The Aigners describe life in post-war Communist Hungary, including food shortages during the 1956 revolution and their decision to flee. They describe escaping to Austria on Christmas Eve of 1956, immigrating to the United States, and settling in Portland, Oregon. They warn that the Holocaust could happen again, and discuss current political issues that alarm them. They talk about the jobs they worked in Portland, and Eva speaks at length about working as a cosmetologist. They close the interview by discussing the importance of sharing stories like theirs.

Session 1. This oral history interview with Eva Aigner and Les Aigner was conducted in two sessions in 2018. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States. The first session was conducted by Jim Lommasson and Sankar Raman. In the first session of this interview, Lommasson describes a recent exhibit he worked on called “What We Carried,” and gives a copy of a related book to the Aigners. The Aigners discuss their work with the Holocaust Memorial Coalition and the Holocaust Memorial in Portland, Oregon. They also talk about the few personal possessions and photographs they still have from their lives before and during the Holocaust; Les Aigner’s experience being sent to Dachau on the “death train”; and Eva Aigner’s experience being rescued by her mother while awaiting execution along the Danube with her sister. Les Aigner also talks about his few months in Auschwitz, and they both discuss a trip they took to all the death camp sites, Auschwitz included. They then talk about scheduling for the next interview session and make small talk.

Session 1. This oral history interview with Naskah Zada was conducted by Dora Totoian and Sankar Raman on June 27, 2019. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States.

In this interview, Zada discusses her family background and early life as a Kurd in Sangasar, Iraq. She describes the destruction of her hometown by the Iraqi Army in 1988, and talks about living in the camp near Mosul where her family was forced to relocate. She also shares her memories of life during the Iran-Iraq War, and talks about bigotry that she experienced. She speaks at length about a childhood friend who inspired her to become a feminist, and who was later murdered in an honor killing. She discusses her experiences at the University of Sulaimani, including her ongoing education in feminist issues. She shares the reasons her family was evacuated by the U.S. military in 1996 as part of Operation Pacific Haven, describes the journey, and talks about adjusting to life in Portland, Oregon. She discusses learning English, jobs she worked, and her education. She describes racism she experienced in Portland. She speaks at length about her first marriage, discusses working in radio broadcasting in Washington, D.C., and shares her reasons for returning to Portland. She speaks about The Zada Show, her YouTube show focusing on Middle East news and culture. She reflects on the challenges she faced, discusses her preference for the both-sides news style, and closes the interview by talking about her plans for the future.

Session 1. This oral history interview with Ramazan Yiğit was conducted by Jessica Pollard on August 30, 2018. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States.

In this interview, Yiğit discusses his family background and early life in Karagoz, Turkey, including his education and herding sheep. He speaks at length about the use of corporal punishment in Turkish schools. He talks about his experiences as a Kurd studying international relations at Gazi University. He describes the increase in anti-Kurdish bigotry leading up to the failed military coup in 2016, and his involvement in Kurdish rights organizations. He talks about participating in an English language program that allowed him to spend a summer in the United States and shares his experiences working in Glacier National Park in Montana. He shares his thoughts about the 2016 attempted coup, talks about the arrests of Kurdish activists in its wake, and shares his reasons for applying for asylum in the U.S. He talks about living and working in Portland, Oregon, while awaiting approval of his asylum application. He discusses his plans to become a clown, and closes the interview by talking about his plans for the future and about adjusting to life in a capitalist economy.

Session 1. This oral history interview with Inés A. Voglar Belgique was conducted by Nancy Dollahite and Sankar Raman on March 21, 2019. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States.

In this interview, Voglar Belgique discusses her family background and early life in Valencia, Venezuela, including her Slovenian heritage. She speaks at length about studying the violin beginning at age 6, describes the music education system in Venezuela, and talks about earning a degree in chemical engineering. She shares her experiences studying violin at Duquesne University and at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She also talks about adjusting to life in the United States. She describes living in Slovenia after her student visa expired, and returning to the U.S. to play with the Pittsburgh Symphony. She then speaks about auditioning for the Oregon Symphony in Portland. She shares her first impressions of Portland, shares her experiences playing with the symphony, and talks about teaching music at Lewis & Clark College and other organizations. She discusses the political and economic situation of Venezuela in 2019, and her involvement with Venezuela's Voice in Oregon, an organization that sends humanitarian aid to Venezuela. She closes the interview by talking about her family and her plans for the future.

Session 1, Part 1. This oral history interview with Sivheng Ung was conducted by Elizabeth Mehren and Sankar Raman on March 25, 2019. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States.

In this interview, Ung discusses her family background and early life in Battambang, Cambodia, describes a happy and affluent childhood, and talks about her education. She describes the rise of the communist rebels who would become the Khmer Rouge during the 1960s and 1970s. She speaks about living in Phnom Penh in the early 1970s, about her marriage in 1974, and about the Khmer Rouge takeover of the capital in 1975. She speaks at length about her experiences during the forced march of Phnom Penh residents to a labor camp, talks about conditions in the camp, and describes what they did to survive. She gives a detailed account of her attempt to escape with her husband, and talks about their eventual capture and imprisonment, which led to the murder of her husband and a miscarriage around 1977. She describes her months-long illness and depression following these losses, her continued ordeal during the Khmer Rouge regime, and the horrors she witnessed over the next years. She talks about returning to Battambang and reuniting with her surviving family after Pol Pot was overthrown. She then describes her successful escape to Thailand with her brother and her future husband in 1979, talks about living in a refugee camp, and describes the process of immigrating to the United States. She shares how her traumatic experiences in Cambodia affected her ability to adjust to life in the U.S. and Portland, Oregon. She talks about her marriage to Van Touch in 1984, about the education, family, and career of her younger brother, and about jobs she and her husband worked. She closes the interview by sharing her reasons for talking about her experiences, including the death of her son, and talks about what she hopes others learn from her story.

Session 1, Part 2. This oral history interview with Sivheng Ung was conducted by Elizabeth Mehren and Sankar Raman on March 25, 2019. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States.

In this interview, Ung discusses her family background and early life in Battambang, Cambodia, describes a happy and affluent childhood, and talks about her education. She describes the rise of the communist rebels who would become the Khmer Rouge during the 1960s and 1970s. She speaks about living in Phnom Penh in the early 1970s, about her marriage in 1974, and about the Khmer Rouge takeover of the capital in 1975. She speaks at length about her experiences during the forced march of Phnom Penh residents to a labor camp, talks about conditions in the camp, and describes what they did to survive. She gives a detailed account of her attempt to escape with her husband, and talks about their eventual capture and imprisonment, which led to the murder of her husband and a miscarriage around 1977. She describes her months-long illness and depression following these losses, her continued ordeal during the Khmer Rouge regime, and the horrors she witnessed over the next years. She talks about returning to Battambang and reuniting with her surviving family after Pol Pot was overthrown. She then describes her successful escape to Thailand with her brother and her future husband in 1979, talks about living in a refugee camp, and describes the process of immigrating to the United States. She shares how her traumatic experiences in Cambodia affected her ability to adjust to life in the U.S. and Portland, Oregon. She talks about her marriage to Van Touch in 1984, about the education, family, and career of her younger brother, and about jobs she and her husband worked. She closes the interview by sharing her reasons for talking about her experiences, including the death of her son, and talks about what she hopes others learn from her story.

Session 1, Part 2. This oral history interview with Resa Uddin was conducted by Allison Merkel and Sankar Raman on July 25, 2019. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States.

In this interview, Uddin discusses his family background and early life in Maungdaw, Burma, in the 1960s and 1970s, including the relationship between Rohingya Muslims and Rakhine Buddhists. He describes the deterioration in the status of Rohingya Muslims after the 1982 change to the Burmese constitution that rescinded their citizenship, and talks about his experience in college in Rangoon, including his involvement in student organizations for Rohingya rights. He also discusses the history of oppression of the Rohingya, and describes the oppression he and his family experienced in the 1980s and 1990s. He speaks about coming to the United States on a student visa, and about his experiences living and studying in Pendleton, Oregon. He talks about the process of receiving asylum. He discusses his experiences at Portland State University, and as the only Rohingya in Portland until 2005. He also talks about his marriage and the process of getting a green card for his wife. He discusses jobs he held, including running a gas station with his wife in Salem, Oregon. He closes the interview by talking about his work to help other Rohingya refugees, and by sharing his thoughts about the future of the Rohingya people.

Session 1, Part 1. This oral history interview with Resa Uddin was conducted by Allison Merkel and Sankar Raman on July 25, 2019. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States.

In this interview, Uddin discusses his family background and early life in Maungdaw, Burma, in the 1960s and 1970s, including the relationship between Rohingya Muslims and Rakhine Buddhists. He describes the deterioration in the status of Rohingya Muslims after the 1982 change to the Burmese constitution that rescinded their citizenship, and talks about his experience in college in Rangoon, including his involvement in student organizations for Rohingya rights. He also discusses the history of oppression of the Rohingya, and describes the oppression he and his family experienced in the 1980s and 1990s. He speaks about coming to the United States on a student visa, and about his experiences living and studying in Pendleton, Oregon. He talks about the process of receiving asylum. He discusses his experiences at Portland State University, and as the only Rohingya in Portland until 2005. He also talks about his marriage and the process of getting a green card for his wife. He discusses jobs he held, including running a gas station with his wife in Salem, Oregon. He closes the interview by talking about his work to help other Rohingya refugees, and by sharing his thoughts about the future of the Rohingya people.

Session 1. This oral history interview with Van Tran was conducted by Shea Seery and Sankar Raman in 2019. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States.

In this interview, Tran discusses her family background and early life in Saigon, Vietnam, including her education, particularly learning languages, and her love of music. She shares her experiences during the Vietnam War. She talks about her father's work with the U.S. military and his imprisonment in a North Vietnamese camp. She shares her memories of the fall of Saigon in 1975, and describes her family's attempts to escape to the United States. She then describes the process of emigrating to the U.S. in 1985, including a stopover in the Philippines, where she taught English and met her future husband. She talks about her marriage in 1987, about raising a family in Stockton, California, and about opening Phở Lê, a Vietnamese restaurant in Camas, Washington, in 1991. She talks about the restaurant's success, about opening other locations in Portland and Vancouver, and about her and her husband's reasons for closing the Camas location. She also looks at photographs and talks about them.

Session 1. This oral history interview with Xiomara Y. Torres was conducted by Lisa Cohn and Sankar Raman on September 12, 2019. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States.

In this interview, Torres discusses her family background and early life in El Paraiso, El Salvador. She shares her reasons for talking about her former status as an undocumented immigrant. She describes her family's journey to California in 1980 and talks about the reasons her family fled El Salvador during the country's civil war. She discusses her early life as an undocumented immigrant in Los Angeles, including learning English, and her education. She speaks about her experiences in the U.S. foster care system. She talks about the process of receiving her green card, her experiences at the University of California, Berkeley, and about how her experiences in foster care influenced her choice to attend law school. She also talks about receiving U.S. citizenship in 2002, and speaks about her work as a family law lawyer in Oregon. She discusses doing interviews about her experiences, and a play written about her life. She closes the interview by talking about her plans for the future.

In the first interview session, Srinivasan discusses his family background and early life as a member of the Brahmin caste in Chennai, India, and describes life in a multi-generational household and a close-knit neighborhood. He speaks at length about his experiences during his education in India, talks about his love of studying languages, and about the social pressure to study science and math. He describes navigating romantic relationships as a teenager and realizing that he was gay. He speaks at length about his relationship with his first girlfriend.

In the second interview session, Srinivasan continues to discuss his relationship with his first girlfriend. He talks about his experiences as a gay man in India, including his social life. He then discusses the reasons he came to the United States to continue his studies, and shares his experiences at the University of Cincinnati, including his social life, his studies, and getting involved in the gay community. He also talks about racism he experienced. He speaks about moving to Wilsonville, Oregon, in 2006, discusses his involvement with the Portland Gay Men's Chorus, and talks about his dating life. He then talks about changing jobs and moving to Boston, Massachusetts, then Bangalore, India, in 2012; about falling in love before moving, and returning to the U.S. to marry his boyfriend in 2015; and about coming out to his family. He closes the interview by discussing his relationship with his family after his marriage, by talking about his relationship with his husband, and by sharing advice for gay and lesbian South Asians, and their families.

Session 1. This oral history interview with Ayan Salat was conducted by Sankar Raman and Jessica Pollard on March 22, 2019. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States.

In this interview, Salat discusses her family background and early life in Somalia. She also shares the reasons that her father fled to Kenya in the 1990s. She shares her experiences living in refugee camps in Kenya from 2005 to 2015, including her education, her home and family life, and living conditions in the camps. She talks about the markets that her parents ran in the camps, about her social life, and about the process of immigrating to the United States. She talks about adjusting to life in the U.S., describes racism she experienced, and discusses her education in Portland, Oregon. She talks about writing poetry and reads one of her poems. She closes the interview by talking about her plans for the future and by sharing advice for young immigrants.

Session 1. This oral history interview with Dilshad Karim Saatchi was conducted by Sankar Raman and Shea Seery on September 27, 2019. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States.

In this interview, Saatchi discusses his family background and early life as a Kurd in Iraq, including his experiences during the Iran-Iraq war, and during the Iraqi genocide of Kurds that began in 1991. He describes his family fleeing their home for the Kurdish countryside and talks about living in hiding from the Iraqi army in a makeshift refugee camp. He briefly talks about his education after returning home. He discusses working as an English translator for the U.S. military at a prison during the Iraq War, describes some of the interrogations that he was part of, and talks about the dangers of the job. He shares his reasons for immigrating to the United States. He talks about joining the U.S. Army, and shares his experiences during his 2012 deployment to Kandahar, Afghanistan. He discusses his reasons for settling in Portland, Oregon, and briefly talks about his marriage and his education at Portland State University. He closes the interview by reflecting on the fact that the majority of his life was spent in the midst of war, by sharing his experience with post-traumatic stress disorder, and by discussing his plans for the future.

Session 1. This oral history interview with Elijah Russell was conducted by Sankar Raman and Allison Merkel on June 26, 2019. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States.

In this interview, Russell discusses his family background and early life in Hamburg, Germany, including the music careers of his parents, and the reasons he and his mother moved to Portland, Oregon, in 2005. He talks about growing up with a famous father, about writing music, and about his education in Germany and Beaverton. He shares his experiences as a Black person in both Germany and Portland, and speaks at length about starting a school club called Kids of Color. He talks about writing songs, plays some of his music, and discusses his musical ambitions. He talks about his plans for college, about sharing music with his father, and about his identity. He closes the interview by discussing plans for the future.

Session 1, Part 2. This oral history interview with Miguel Rodriguez was conducted by David Lipoff on July 16, 2019. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States.

In this interview, Rodriguez discusses his sister’s injury, which led the family to leave Mexico and seek medical treatment in the United States; shares their reasons for staying; and talks about the legal barriers that prevented them from receiving U.S. citizenship. He discusses his early life in Los Angeles, California; his relationship with his father and step-father; and moving to Roseburg to live near his step-father’s family. He talks about the financial hardship that led his mother and step-father to return to Los Angeles, about attending Umpqua Community College, and about the deaths of some of his family members in L.A. He speaks at length about the limitations on his life and the feelings of vulnerability caused by his status as an undocumented immigrant. He talks about the positive effect that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy had on his life, including the ability to find a job and attend Portland State University. He then talks about getting a green card along with his mother under the Violence Against Women Act. He speaks about his cultural and ethnic identity. He talks about his work as a college access coach at Madison High School, about his reasons for volunteering with AmeriCorps, and about difficult conversations with his conservative grandfather. He shares his hopes and plans for the future and talks about his career goals. He closes the interview by talking about his involvement in non-profit organizations focused on the Latino community, particularly the organization Portland Through a Latinx Lens.

Session 1, Part 1. This oral history interview with Miguel Rodriguez was conducted by David Lipoff on July 16, 2019. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States.

In this interview, Rodriguez discusses his sister’s injury, which led the family to leave Mexico and seek medical treatment in the United States; shares their reasons for staying; and talks about the legal barriers that prevented them from receiving U.S. citizenship. He discusses his early life in Los Angeles, California; his relationship with his father and step-father; and moving to Roseburg to live near his step-father’s family. He talks about the financial hardship that led his mother and step-father to return to Los Angeles, about attending Umpqua Community College, and about the deaths of some of his family members in L.A. He speaks at length about the limitations on his life and the feelings of vulnerability caused by his status as an undocumented immigrant. He talks about the positive effect that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy had on his life, including the ability to find a job and attend Portland State University. He then talks about getting a green card along with his mother under the Violence Against Women Act. He speaks about his cultural and ethnic identity. He talks about his work as a college access coach at Madison High School, about his reasons for volunteering with AmeriCorps, and about difficult conversations with his conservative grandfather. He shares his hopes and plans for the future and talks about his career goals. He closes the interview by talking about his involvement in non-profit organizations focused on the Latino community, particularly the organization Portland Through a Latinx Lens.

Session 1. This oral history interview with Sarah Rikaz was conducted by Sankar Raman on January 11, 2019. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States. Rikaz Thaha and an unidentified man were also present and contributed to the interview.

In this interview, Rikaz discusses her family background and early life in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and shares her memories of the civil war in Sri Lanka. She talks about her cultural and ethnic identity, about her education, and about her early interest in art. She speaks about studying graphic design online through the Institute of Business Management, about her career in graphic design in Sri Lanka, and about the 2004 tsunami. She discusses her marriage to Rikaz Thaha in 2008, and immigrating to the United States in 2010. Rikaz Thaha talks about his career and about the immigration process. Sarah Rikaz talks about adjusting to life in the U.S., about working and raising a family in the Portland, Oregon, area, and about her career as an artist. She closes the interview by discussing her plans for the future.

Session 1. This oral history interview with Nader Rezvani was conducted by Dora Totoian and Sankar Raman on August 15, 2019. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States. Rebecca Benoit was also present and contributed to the interview.

In this interview, Rezvani discusses his family background and early life in Tehran, Iran, including his education and his conversion from Islam to atheism. He describes life in pre-revolution Iran and talks about working as an inspector on a hydroelectric project after high school. He speaks about his experiences in Berlin, Germany, in 1963, and shares his reasons for immigrating to the United States that same year. He describes adjusting to life in the U.S., experiencing winter in New York, and his experiences living in Los Angeles and attending college to study mechanical engineering. He shares his reasons for moving to Beaverton, Oregon, and speaks about his 20-year career as an engineer at Tektronix, Inc. Rezvani talks about his children and grandchildren, and Benoit talks about the Iranian community in the Portland area. He discusses his retirement on a farm near Gaston, Oregon, and Benoit shares the story of meeting Rezvani. He closes the interview by sharing his opinion on events in Iran after he left in 1963, and by talking about U.S.-Iranian relations, and about his cultural and ethnic identity.

Session 1. This oral history interview with Yamini Rajan was conducted by Monica Salazar and Sankar Raman on February 20, 2019. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States.

In this interview, Rajan discusses her family background and early life in Delhi and Bangalore, India, including Diwali celebrations and being bullied at school. She talks about immigrating to the United States in 2012 and adjusting to life in Portland, Oregon, particularly at school. She discusses her social life and her family life. She speaks at length about her mental health during her teenage years, including a suicide attempt. She talks about her experience in high school, including her interest in art and making new friends. She discusses her college plans, and talks about doing public speaking about her mental health with ASHA International, A Source of Hope for All. She closes the interview by talking about her plans for the future.

Session 1. This oral history interview with Nong Poonsukwattana was conducted by Monica Salazar on August 12, 2019. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States. Poonsukwattana's landlord was also briefly present.

In this interview, Poonsukwattana discusses her family background and early life in Bangkok, Thailand, and talks about experiencing child abuse. She talks about immigrating to the United States after marrying an American citizen in 2003; about adjusting to life in Portland, Oregon, including learning English; and about working as a waitress in Thai restaurants in Portland, including Pok Pok. She discusses developing recipes, opening Nong's Khao Man Gai, a food cart in downtown Portland, in 2009, and then a restaurant of the same name in 2011. She then describes opening a second location for her restaurant in 2018. She closes the interview by sharing her plans for the future, by talking about managing her restaurant staff, and by discussing her experience with the immigration process.

Session 1, Part 1. This oral history interview with Hatidza Polovina was conducted by Elizabeth Mehren and Sankar Raman on January 7, 2019. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States. Abdulah Polovina was also present.

In this interview, Hatzida Polovina discusses her marriage to Abdulah Polovina and her experiences as a Muslim in Bosnia during the Yugoslav Wars. She talks about her early life in Bosnia, including her education, and practicing Islam in a communist country. She describes the atrocities committed against Bosnian Muslims during the war, including her father and older brother, and talks about escaping to and living in Austria. She then describes returning to Sarajevo to marry Abdulah Polovina, and talks about making a life in the middle of a war zone. She speaks about her Islamic faith. She then talks about emigrating to the United States and about adjusting to life in Seattle, Washington, and in Portland, Oregon. Polovina and Mehren discuss the reasons behind the many genocides around the world in recent decades. She speaks further about her education at a madrassa in Sarajevo. Polovina closes the interview by talking about social conditions in Bosnia at the time of the interview.

Session 1, Part 2. This oral history interview with Hatidza Polovina was conducted by Elizabeth Mehren and Sankar Raman on January 7, 2019. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States. Abdulah Polovina was also present.

In this interview, Hatzida Polovina discusses her marriage to Abdulah Polovina and her experiences as a Muslim in Bosnia during the Yugoslav Wars. She talks about her early life in Bosnia, including her education, and practicing Islam in a communist country. She describes the atrocities committed against Bosnian Muslims during the war, including her father and older brother, and talks about escaping to and living in Austria. She then describes returning to Sarajevo to marry Abdulah Polovina, and talks about making a life in the middle of a war zone. She speaks about her Islamic faith. She then talks about emigrating to the United States and about adjusting to life in Seattle, Washington, and in Portland, Oregon. Polovina and Mehren discuss the reasons behind the many genocides around the world in recent decades. She speaks further about her education at a madrassa in Sarajevo. Polovina closes the interview by talking about social conditions in Bosnia at the time of the interview.

Session 1. This oral history interview with Abdulah Polovina was conducted by Elizabeth Mehren and Sankar Raman on January 7, 2019. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States.

In this interview, Polvina discusses his experiences as a Muslim in Bosnia during the Yugoslav Wars. He talks about the history of Muslims, and of genocide against Muslims, in the region, and about politics in Yugoslavia leading up to the wars. He speaks at length about his Islamic faith, about his early life and education in Bosnia, and about changing his name to Abdulah. He talks about his marriage to his wife, Hatidza, about being separated while he served in the war, and about his reasons for leaving Bosnia for Seattle, Washington, in 2001. He talks about his experience as the first Muslim student at Seattle University's School of Theology and Ministry, and about his experience serving as imam at a mosque in Portland, Oregon. He closes the interview by talking about the Portland Muslim community, and reflecting on the experiences of Bosnian Muslims during the war.

Session 1. This oral history interview with Abdi Nazemian was conducted by Sankar Raman and Nancy E. Dollahite on November 8, 2019. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States.

In this interview, Nazemian discusses his family background and early life in Paris, France; Toronto, Canada; and New York City. He shares the reasons his family left Iran for France, then Canada; talks about his experience growing up multilingual and about raising his own children to also be multilingual; and about adjusting to life in the United States. He discusses his cultural and ethnic identity, and his identity as a gay man, and talks about how those identities inform his writing. He speaks about his experiences and education at a boarding school in New York, talks about coming out to his family in his twenties, and describes his early career as a screenwriter in Los Angeles, California. He speaks at length about writing books telling queer Iranian stories, and about his writing process. He closes the interview by talking about how the AIDS pandemic affected him, by describing the themes of his novels, and by discussing public reception of his novels.

Session 1, Part 1. This oral history interview with Bernal Cruz was conducted by Sankar Raman on February 25, 2019. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States. Julianna Robidoux was also present.

In this interview, Cruz discusses his family background and early life in Guatemala City, Guatemala, including his father's career in the Guatemalan army; his Mayan heritage and culture; and his education. He shares the history of the civil war in Guatemala and talks about his family's experiences during the war. He describes the reasons his family sought asylum in the United States, and talks about the asylum process. He discusses his experiences in Portland, Oregon, as a Guatemalan immigrant, including his education, his social life, and adjusting to cultural differences. He talks about working as a mediator during high school, about his education in neuropsychology at the University of Massachusetts, and about working as a therapist for Providence in Portland. He then talks about his career change in 2014, after earning a master's degree in community-based social work from Portland State University; about his marriage to Karey B. Lakey; and about his work with unaccompanied minors and immigrant youth for Morrison Child and Family Services. He speaks at length about his volunteer work with organizations assisting refugees, and closes the interview by discussing his experience in Italy as part of Harvard's online refugee trauma and recovery program.

Session 1, Part 2. This oral history interview with Bernal Cruz was conducted by Sankar Raman on February 25, 2019. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States. Julianna Robidoux was also present.

In this interview, Cruz discusses his family background and early life in Guatemala City, Guatemala, including his father's career in the Guatemalan army; his Mayan heritage and culture; and his education. He shares the history of the civil war in Guatemala and talks about his family's experiences during the war. He describes the reasons his family sought asylum in the United States, and talks about the asylum process. He discusses his experiences in Portland, Oregon, as a Guatemalan immigrant, including his education, his social life, and adjusting to cultural differences. He talks about working as a mediator during high school, about his education in neuropsychology at the University of Massachusetts, and about working as a therapist for Providence in Portland. He then talks about his career change in 2014, after earning a master's degree in community-based social work from Portland State University; about his marriage to Karey B. Lakey; and about his work with unaccompanied minors and immigrant youth for Morrison Child and Family Services. He speaks at length about his volunteer work with organizations assisting refugees, and closes the interview by discussing his experience in Italy as part of Harvard's online refugee trauma and recovery program.