Visit Your Local PBS Station PBS Home PBS Home Programs A-Z TV Schedules Watch Video Support PBS Shop PBS Search PBS
       
the Online NewsHour The Web site of the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer
E-mail This Page   Print This Page  
the Online NewsHour EXTRANews for Students AND Teacher Resources MAIN: ONLINE NEWSHOUR
7 - 12 grade level
SEARCH
ALL OR STUDENT VOICES LESSON PLANS VIDEO GO
Main: NewsHour ExtraU.S.WorldScienceHealthArts/MediaStudent VoicesTeacher Center
NewsHour Teacher Center Blog
April 30, 2008

” My little town alone receives more Iraqi refugees than United States and Canada together. We did not start the war in Iraq; however, we assume a huge responsibility for those people who are affected. ” - Mayor Andrew Lago, Sodertalje, Sweden

Facing the threat of kidnapping, torture, and beheadings, Iraqi interpreters who have worked forplay NewsHour video U.S. forces are seeking safety for themselves and their families. In this excellent and moving video report, Lee Hochberg reports on their long and difficult search for refuge in the United States.

After viewing, there are many directions for class discussion or follow-up. Compare the personal commitment of one person, Capt. Jason Faler, with the lagging speed of our large government bureaucracy. What are some reasons that make it difficult for our government to act? What can we learn from Capt. Faler? How many of your students were already aware of this problem before viewing this report? Where else has it been reported? What can your class do to better understand or publicize the many facets of this issue? What support do we typically give political refugees admitted to this country? Who qualifies as a “political refugee”? How does the U.S. differ from that in other countries? Why do some countries, like Sweden, accept more political refuges and others less, like Switzerland? What is the relationship between political refugees and U.S. immigration policies?

Below are some additional resources related to this story.

NewsHour Links
Iraqis Seek Refuge in U.S. After Working With American Forces
Student Voice Iraqi Refugee Split Between Very Different Worlds

Other Links
Amnesty International: refugees
Washington Post Article:Asylum Program Falls Short For Iraqis
The UN Refugee Agency: Iraq
Refugees International: Iraqi Displacement Crisis
US Immigration Official Site
International Rescue Committee

Author

Comments

Post a Comment:
(If you haven't left a comment here before, you need to be approved by Brian before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)
Name: (required, pseudonym ok)
Email address: (required, will not be published)
Comment:

Recent Lesson Plans
Recent Comments
Web Resources
Recently Added:
What is this?
Teacher to Teacher
Share your teaching experiences: What works, what didn't, what's needed?
What is this?
Previous EntriesTOPICS
Video Clips
What is this?
Blog Jam
National Public Radio
From Education Stories
5/2/08 updated daily
What is this?
The Online NewsHour
FRIDAY'S PROGRAM
Editor's Note
Shaky Economy
Financial Crisis in Dubai
News Wrap
Holiday Shopping
Hard Knocks
Shields and Brooks
Austin City Limits
The Online NewsHour, an hour-long daily news broadcast
Check your Local Listings