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From our inaugural newsletter, FIND FILINGS January 27th, 2008
When I was deported from the States, a place I considered home, many things crossed my mind. “I haven’t been to my native country in about 23 years. “I have two children.” “I’ve even been in the armed forces, and I feel like I paid my dues to America – more than some of her citizens.”
Waiting for deportation was another dilemma. Smart-ass guards always had something funny to say. “”Wow, you’re pretty big for an Ethiopian!” or “How do you speak English so well?” There were even those who wondered how I had gotten to the States: “My goodness, that’s a long way! How did you get here?” Needless to say, at first I was in denial. Then I was angry, and then, reality kicked in. I had to accept the situation that I was in, and I realized that no matter what, I had to make the best of what was ahead. Basic necessities like hot water for showers, shelter, and food are hard to come by. People look at deportees in a very cruel way here in Ethiopia. They can’t comprehend coming back to live here. Especially coming back empty-handed. I was lucky enough to have good people around me here and in the States. I don’t want to mention any names, but certain people who work for deportees’ rights, I feel indebted to them. Thank God things are okay. I miss the States; I miss my kids and friends. But it is nice to be back in a place where you know you ain’t going to be deported from! One thing I want to add. I got involved in some criminal activities. I deserved to get punished, but this [removal] was way too extreme. My punishment was bad enough, sitting in a county jail and having to take a plea because the public defender was overworked. I’m not mad at them, just mad at myself for all the wrongs I did when I was a lot younger. So life goes on and if you’re handed lemons, you make lemonade, right? Things could be worse, but praise the Lord. He is watching over me through many people.Berhane K., Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
When I was deported from the States, a place I considered home, many things crossed my mind. “I haven’t been to my native country in about 23 years. “I have two children.” “I’ve even been in the armed forces, and I feel like I paid my dues to America – more than some of her citizens.”
Waiting for deportation was another dilemma. Smart-ass guards always had something funny to say. “”Wow, you’re pretty big for an Ethiopian!” or “How do you speak English so well?” There were even those who wondered how I had gotten to the States: “My goodness, that’s a long way! How did you get here?” Needless to say, at first I was in denial. Then I was angry, and then, reality kicked in. I had to accept the situation that I was in, and I realized that no matter what, I had to make the best of what was ahead. Basic necessities like hot water for showers, shelter, and food are hard to come by. People look at deportees in a very cruel way here in Ethiopia. They can’t comprehend coming back to live here. Especially coming back empty-handed. I was lucky enough to have good people around me here and in the States. I don’t want to mention any names, but certain people who work for deportees’ rights, I feel indebted to them. Thank God things are okay. I miss the States; I miss my kids and friends. But it is nice to be back in a place where you know you ain’t going to be deported from! One thing I want to add. I got involved in some criminal activities. I deserved to get punished, but this [removal] was way too extreme. My punishment was bad enough, sitting in a county jail and having to take a plea because the public defender was overworked. I’m not mad at them, just mad at myself for all the wrongs I did when I was a lot younger. So life goes on and if you’re handed lemons, you make lemonade, right? Things could be worse, but praise the Lord. He is watching over me through many people.Berhane K., Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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