“Our seniors are the most vulnerable group of the refugee community. They have left behind everything back in their home country. They have endured and suffered a lot. And they have already spent the productive part of their life. So they are here, not because of their choice or to take opportunities, but for safety.

When we think about immigration, not necessarily asylum and refugee situations, but just in general, if you’re trying to move to a different country, you basically have to sell yourself. It’s about your productivity and your potential. What skills do I have? Where can I work? How can I make a living? But if you’re elderly and you aren’t going to a place by choice, what is that experience like? 

I came as a refugee to this country in my mid-30s, and despite speaking English, I had challenges with adjusting. Now imagine being in your 70s or 80s. Seniors already have a problem with building community and staying productive, as well as difficulty getting their resources. They have problems with technology. They definitely can’t learn new languages as easily. Mobility can be challenging. Healthcare can be a bigger concern. This population needs extra support for all these reasons, and we should be proud to help them. 

One thing I really appreciate about talking to our seniors is the depth of their lived experience. They remember a world that no longer exists and share powerful stories from years past- stories of struggle, conflict, and hardship, and of the strength it took to endure and overcome them in the places they once called home. From our seniors, we learn how to navigate challenges, build resilience, and practice respect and patience.

So when this new country is not welcoming to them, it weighs heavy on them. And it’s concerning for us, the people who work with them, because we don’t have all of the answers. 

We had one senior who was supposed to become a citizen but the Naturalization Ceremony was canceled. She has been here for almost six years and was so excited to become a U.S citizen, and then she received a notice that it was canceled, and we don’t know when the next ceremony will be. 

Without citizenship, she can’t get a passport, she can’t vote, and she might now be at risk of losing her SSI benefits, which is especially serious because she doesn’t have any other source of income. She was supposed to celebrate, to take photos with her family, and now instead she is confused, scared, and upset. We all are.” 

– Raj Chhetri is the Senior Services Program Manager at Community Refugee & Immigration Services (CRIS), an organization dedicated to create opportunities for New Americans in Central Ohio.