What’s Lost in the Transition from Refugee to American Citizen

by Bedrosian CenterOctober 3, 2017

What becomes of a refugee when they’re no longer a refugee? We spend so much time talking about migration caps and vetting that we seem to ignore all the Americans living amongst us, trying to acclimate to their new country after the harrowing journey from their former homeland. Would it surprise you to learn that they start their new life in substantial debt? Or that they don’t have many of the basic items they need to live, let alone feel like a human being? Wouldn’t you like to know how you can help?

In this episode, Miry Whitehill tells us the inspirational story of how she started helping these former refugee families—and how she created an easy way for you to help them too. She created MirysList.org.

To listen to this episode of Our American Discourse, click the arrow in the player here. Or download it and subscribe through ApplePodcasts, Soundcloud, or Google Play, Stitcher, or your favorite podcasting app – click the links or search “usc bedrosian.”

Ehsan Zaffar, J.D.

by Bedrosian CenterJune 21, 2017

Ehsan Zaffar serves as a Senior Advisor at the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties at the Department of Homeland Security in Washington D.C. where he advises the Secretary of Homeland Security and DHS components on the civil rights and civil liberties implications of existing and proposed national security policies, programs, and procedures. Mr.…

Is Solidifying Borders the Answer to the Migrant Crisis in Europe?

by Bedrosian CenterFebruary 28, 2017

2nd year MPP candidate, Robyn Burleson, tackles the growing refugee crisis in this overview piece.

The European Union is struggling to mitigate Europe’s refugee crisis as migrants flee civil wars and poverty in Syria, Iraq, and other nations caught up in domestic upheavals. Approximately 60 million people have been displaced because of conflicts around the world, the largest number of displaced people since World War 2. More than one million migrants traveled to Europe in 2015 alone, and Syria is the largest source of those refugees. The numbers of refugees continue to climb as civil wars escalate, and the majority of the migrants are arriving in Greece, Italy, and Turkey.

Migrant Entrepreneurs: The In-Between Advantage

by Bedrosian CenterFebruary 21, 2017

Immigrants exist between two words: their country of origin and their new home. In this nexus lies unique challenges—and opportunities. The immigrant communities who maintain bonds with their origin, or “diasporas,” can bring what they have learned back with them. They can transform developing nations and spur economic growth with their entrepreneurship. They can bridge the divide between the prosperous and the poor—and inspire lasting change.

In this episode, we explore these transformative individuals with Jennifer Brinkerhoff.

Listen to this episode by clicking on the orange play arrow to the right here, or subscribe at iTunes, Soundcloud, or Google Play.

When Immigrants & Refugees Flood Our Shores

by Bedrosian Center, Bedrosian CenterOctober 25, 2016

When refugees & immigrants flee to America’s shores, the American fear of “them” is great but so too is the moral responsibility. Discussion of the possible threats and great benefits refugees bring with them in their search for new homes. Ehsan Zaffar, Senior Advisor at the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties at the Department of…

University of Southern California

Bedrosian Center

An applied research center at the USC Price School of Public Policy

Refugees