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Oral history interview with Yuriana Aguilar [Sound Recording 01]

Session 1. This oral history interview with Yuriana Aguilar was conducted by Sankar Raman by phone call in 2017. 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, Aguilar discusses her experience as an undocumented immigrant child from Mexico. She talks about pursuing higher education and a career in biology as a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient. She talks about being the first in her family to get a college education, her motivation to succeed, and her research in cardiology. She describes her experience of being the guest of U.S. Senator Kamala Harris at a speech President Donald Trump delivered to Congress in 2017. She describes how, in the speech, he demonized and misrepresented undocumented immigrants. She closes the interview by talking about living under the specter of deportation and her hopes for a path to citizenship.

Aguilar, Yuriana

Oral history interview with Kathy Delumpa Allegri [Sound Recording 01]

Session 1. This oral history interview with Kathy Delumpa Allegri was conducted by Sankar Raman and Briana Ybanez on November 2, 2017. 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, Allegri discusses her father's work as a Philippine Scout for the U.S. Army during World War II; her family's subsequent immigration to the United States from the Philippines in 1949; and her early life on a military base in Georgia, including her family's experiences with racism. She describes moving to Palo Alto, California, in the early 1950s, growing up in a diverse community in the California Bay Area, and her high school experience. She talks about dropping out of college to help her sister raise her family after her sister's husband was killed during the Vietnam War. She discusses her marriage to Bill Allegri and living in Midwest while he completed his education and then taught high school. She describes the racism she experienced in the Midwest; returning to the Bay Area; and working as a freelance artist. She talks about completing her college degree at Colorado State University in 1989. Allegri talks about moving to Oregon in 1991, operating a wine shop with her husband from 2000 to 2014, and being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. She talks about her art, teaching watercolor classes, and some of her exhibits. She closes the interview by talking about her art collection and how her Filipino heritage influenced her art.

Allegri, Kathy Delumpa

Oral history interview with Sumitra Chhetri [Sound Recording 01]

Session 1. This oral history interview with Sumitra Chhetri was conducted by Sankar Raman on March 19, 2017. 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, Chhetri discusses her early life in a camp for Bhutanese refugees in Nepal. She describes the educational system in the camp, as well as her social life and daily activities. She talks about the process of resettling in the United States in 2008; describes her experience attending high school in Portland, Oregon; and discusses learning English as a second language. She talks about studying political science at Portland State University and her future plans, including her intention to attend law school and run for office. Sankar Raman shares advice for seeking out career mentors. Chhetri closes the interview by discussing the challenges she has faced as a first-generation immigrant.

Chhetri, Sumitra, 1993-

Oral history interview with Kemle Fakhry [Sound Recording 01]

Session 1. This oral history interview with Kemle Fakhry was conducted by Don Schwartz on April 4, 2017. 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, Fakhry discusses coming to the United States at the beginning of her freshman year of high school and learning English as a second language. She then talks about her childhood in Dakar, Senegal, including her education and her family life. She describes growing up with her father an ocean away in the United States; immigrating to the United States at the age of 13; and acclimating to her new environment in Portland, Oregon. She talks about Senegalese culture and cuisine. She discusses the cultural differences between Senegal and the United States, particularly surrounding the concept of race. She closes the interview by discussing her plans for the future.

Fakhry, Kemle, 1999-

Oral history interview with Anisha Ginshing [Sound Recording 01]

Session 1. This oral history interview with Anisha Ginshing was conducted by Sankar Raman on April 4, 2017. 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, Ginshing discusses her early life in a camp for Bhutanese refugees in Nepal. She then talks about immigrating to the United States with her family at the age of 9, and settling in Idaho. She talks about her elementary school education in Idaho and about learning English as a second language; the reasons for her family's move to Portland, Oregon; and her high school education in Portland, including taking Advanced Placement classes and her extracurricular activities. She talks about her interest in Nepali culture; applying for college; and her plans to become a nurse. She closes the interview by discussing her cultural and ethnic identity; the dangerous conditions for women and girls in Nepal; and her most challenging high school classes.

Ginshing, Anisha, 1999-

Oral history interview with Mario Gomez-Rubio [Sound Recording 01]

Session 1. This oral history interview with Mario Gomez-Rubio was conducted by Sankar Raman on March 18, 2017. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States. Gomez-Rubio's mother, Elizabeth Rubio-Alfaro, was also present and occasionally answered questions in Spanish. An unidentified woman provides translations in Spanish and English. In this interview, Gomez-Rubio discusses immigrating to the United States from Mexico in 2015 and settling in Hillsboro, Oregon. He also describes his early life on a ranch outside the city of Morelia in Michoacán, Mexico, including his education, his ambition to play professional soccer, and his social life. Rubio-Alfaro describes the process of immigrating to the United States, including the journey to Oregon. Gomez-Rubio talks about his school experience in Hillsboro, including learning English as a second language and his social life. He discusses his most challenging classes, his continued interest in soccer, and his plans for the future. Gomez-Rubio and Rubio-Alfaro close the interview by discussing Gomez-Rubio's interest in robotics and the physical sciences, as well as his independent personality.

Gomez-Rubio, Mario

Oral history interview with Ivan Hernandez [Sound Recording 01]

Session 1. This oral history interview with Ivan Hernandez was conducted by Sankar Raman on October 17, 2017. 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 the first part of this interview, Hernandez discusses his family’s migration to the United States from Mexico when he was 11. He talks about the reasons that his family chose to immigrate and describes in detail his experience of being smuggled across the border in 2003. He talks about living in migrant labor camps in Oregon, learning English as a second language, and his education in both Mexico and Oregon.

Hernandez, Ivan (Ivan Eduardo), 1991-

Oral history interview with Ivan Hernandez [Sound Recording 02]

Session 2. This oral history interview with Ivan Hernandez was conducted by Sankar Raman on October 17, 2017. 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 the second part of this interview, Hernandez describes his middle school and high school education in Hillsboro, Oregon. He talks about making friends, helping his family work, and the ways teachers influenced him.

Hernandez, Ivan (Ivan Eduardo), 1991-

Oral history interview with Ivan Hernandez [Sound Recording 03]

Session 3. This oral history interview with Ivan Hernandez was conducted by Sankar Raman on October 17, 2017. 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 the third part of this interview, Hernandez discusses his senior year of high school and his graduation. He talks about how his undocumented status affected his ability to get financial aid for college; about attending Mount Hood Community College, and dropping out for financial reasons; and about working various jobs. He then discusses his decision to apply for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program; continuing his education at Portland Community College; and working jobs on campus. He talks about getting involved in student government. He closes the interview by discussing his plans for the future, particularly his plan to run for president of Mexico in 2036.

Hernandez, Ivan (Ivan Eduardo), 1991-

Oral history interview with Rand Ibraheem [Sound Recording 01]

Session 1. This oral history interview with Rand Ibraheem was conducted by Sankar Raman on April 4, 2017. 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, Ibraheem discusses her early life in Baghdad, Iraq. She describes the violence of the Iraq War, including being driven from her home by a group of armed men. She talks about life as a refugee in Damascus, Syria; waiting for asylum in the United States; and the outbreak of civil war in Syria, which again drove her family from their home. She describes in detail her memories of the 2012 bombing of her neighborhood. She talks about seeking refuge in Lebanon and living in Beirut, including her education. She then discusses the process of getting approved for resettlement in the United States and coming to Portland, Oregon, in 2014. She talks about her life in Portland, including her education. She closes the interview by discussing her plans for the future, and discrimination she faces as a Muslim.

Ibraheem, Rand (Rand Mohammed)

Oral history interview with Fowzia Ibrahim [Sound Recording 01]

Session 1. This oral history interview with Fowzia Ibrahim was conducted by Don Schwartz on April 4, 2017. 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, Ibrahim discusses her early life in Boise, Idaho, as a Somalian refugee, including the different ways that she and her parents adjusted to American life. She describes her desire to help people and her plans for her future career. She also talks about being bullied in elementary school. She talks about coming to Portland, Oregon, in 2014 and how her experience there differed from her experience in Idaho. She discusses being the oldest of twelve children, her ethnic and cultural identity, and making friends in high school in Portland. She closes the interview by discussing her preparations for college and plans for the future.

Ibrahim, Fowzia, 2001-

Oral history interview with Prashant Kakad [Sound Recording 01]

Session 1, Part 1. This oral history interview with Prashant Kakad was conducted by Sankar Raman on July 20, 2017. 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 part of the interview, Kakad discusses his early life in India, including his father’s career in the Air Force and later as a police officer in Bombay. He describes life in Bombay as a teenager, the pressure to succeed at education in the sciences, and his passion for music and dance. He talks about competing in singing competitions in high school, attending Institute of Chemical Technology in Mumbai, and organizing cultural events at his college. He describes applying to Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.

Kakad, Prashant (Prashant Ashok), 1982-

Oral history interview with Prashant Kakad [Sound Recording 02]

Session 1, Part 2. This oral history interview with Prashant Kakad was conducted by Sankar Raman on July 20, 2017. 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 part of the interview, Kakad discusses his experience studying polymer science and working as a research assistant at Cornell University. He talks about adjusting to life in the United States, realizing that he didn’t want to pursue a career in chemical engineering, and rediscovering his passion for dance and music. He discusses dealing with body image issues and depression. He then talks about moving to Hillsboro, Oregon, and working for Intel; learning and performing classical Indian singing; and teaching his own dance choreography based on Bollywood music. He also gives a brief history of Bollywood music. He describes quitting his job at Intel in 2009 and beginning his career as a DJ. He then talks about the process of getting his green card. He closes the interview by discussing people who helped him succeed.

Kakad, Prashant (Prashant Ashok), 1982-

Oral history interview with Nawid G. Khan [Sound Recording 01]

Session 1, Part 1. This oral history interview with Nawid G. Khan was conducted by Sankar Raman on July 11, 2017. 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 part of this interview, Khan discusses the process of immigrating to the United States from Afghanistan in 2016. He talks about his family and early life in Afghanistan, including the death of four of his brothers from cancer, growing up in an area surrounded by the Taliban, and the experience of growing up in a war zone. He speaks about his education in Afghanistan and experiencing bullying. Khan also spends some time showing photographs to Raman. He talks about gender roles in Afghanistan. He describes witnessing two Taliban bombings, one at his school in 2012, and another that killed a friend in front of him in 2014. He talks about immigrating to the United States to continue his education. He discusses his experiences attending Benson High School in Portland, Oregon, including learning English as a second language, and his plans for the future.

Khan, Nawid G., 2000-

Oral history interview with Nawid G. Khan [Sound Recording 02]

Session 1, Part 2. This oral history interview with Nawid G. Khan was conducted by Sankar Raman on July 11, 2017. 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 the second part of this interview, Khan briefly discusses his education in the United States.

Khan, Nawid G., 2000-

Oral history interview with Nawid G. Khan [Sound Recording 03]

Session 1, Part 3. This oral history interview with Nawid G. Khan was conducted by Sankar Raman on July 11, 2017. 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 the third part of this interview, Khan talks about politics and human rights in Afghanistan, his plans for college, meeting the Afghan ambassador to the United States, and his thoughts on the political situation in the United States in 2017.

Khan, Nawid G., 2000-

Oral history interview with Jean Paul Mugisha [Sound Recording 01]

Session 1, Part 1. This oral history interview with Jean Paul Mugisha was conducted in two sessions by Sankar Raman on April 30, 2017. 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 the first session, Mugisha discusses his early life in a refugee camp in Rwanda after his family fled from their home in the Democratic Republic of the Congo when he was 3. He describes living conditions in the camp, including his education. He then talks about attending Kigali Institute of Science and Technology, where he majored in electrical engineering for a year, before his family was resettled in the United States. He describes his last day in the camps, the journey to the U.S., and his first days in Portland, Oregon. He talks about navigating the American education system to continue his studies in electrical engineering at the University of Portland, and his plans for the future.

Mugisha, Jean Paul

Oral history interview with Jean Paul Mugisha [Sound Recording 02]

Session 1, Part 2. This oral history interview with Jean Paul Mugisha was conducted in two sessions by Sankar Raman on April 30, 2017. 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 the first session, Mugisha discusses his early life in a refugee camp in Rwanda after his family fled from their home in the Democratic Republic of the Congo when he was 3. He describes living conditions in the camp, including his education. He then talks about attending Kigali Institute of Science and Technology, where he majored in electrical engineering for a year, before his family was resettled in the United States. He describes his last day in the camps, the journey to the U.S., and his first days in Portland, Oregon. He talks about navigating the American education system to continue his studies in electrical engineering at the University of Portland, and his plans for the future.

Mugisha, Jean Paul

Oral history interview with Jean Paul Mugisha [Sound Recording 03]

Session 2, Part 1. This oral history interview with Jean Paul Mugisha was conducted in two sessions by Sankar Raman on April 30, 2017. 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 the second session, Mugisha discusses the Rwandan genocide, the conflict that led his family to flee Congo in 1997. He talks again about his education in the refugee camp and being resettled in the United States. He particularly talks about the Portland-based NGO, These Numbers Have Faces, that helped him go to college in Rwanda. He describes his college experience at the University of Portland; reflects on the factors that led to his current success; and discusses his cultural and ethnic identity. He closes the interview by talking about his family, and his activities mentoring immigrant students.

Mugisha, Jean Paul

Oral history interview with Jean Paul Mugisha [Sound Recording 04]

Session 2, Part 2. This oral history interview with Jean Paul Mugisha was conducted in two sessions by Sankar Raman on April 30, 2017. 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 the second session, Mugisha discusses the Rwandan genocide, the conflict that led his family to flee Congo in 1997. He talks again about his education in the refugee camp and being resettled in the United States. He particularly talks about the Portland-based NGO, These Numbers Have Faces, that helped him go to college in Rwanda. He describes his college experience at the University of Portland; reflects on the factors that led to his current success; and discusses his cultural and ethnic identity. He closes the interview by talking about his family, and his activities mentoring immigrant students.

Mugisha, Jean Paul

Oral history interview with Jean Paul Mugisha [Sound Recording 05]

Session 2, Part 3. This oral history interview with Jean Paul Mugisha was conducted in two sessions by Sankar Raman on April 30, 2017. 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 the second session, Mugisha discusses the Rwandan genocide, the conflict that led his family to flee Congo in 1997. He talks again about his education in the refugee camp and being resettled in the United States. He particularly talks about the Portland-based NGO, These Numbers Have Faces, that helped him go to college in Rwanda. He describes his college experience at the University of Portland; reflects on the factors that led to his current success; and discusses his cultural and ethnic identity. He closes the interview by talking about his family, and his activities mentoring immigrant students.

Mugisha, Jean Paul

Oral history interview with Cindy Muñoz [Sound Recording 01]

Session 1. This oral history interview with Cindy Muñoz was conducted by Ricardo Nagaoka and Sankar Raman on June 3, 2017. 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, Muñoz discusses her early life in Oregon. She talks about dealing with racial discrimination, and describes several incidences of racism at her high school. She closes the interview by sharing her thoughts about "The American Dream."

Muñoz, Cindy

Oral history interview with Cindy Muñoz [Sound Recording 02]

Session 2. This oral history interview with Cindy Muñoz was conducted by Ricardo Nagaoka and Sankar Raman on June 3, 2017. 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, Muñoz discusses her early life in Oregon. She talks about dealing with racial discrimination, and describes several incidences of racism at her high school. She closes the interview by sharing her thoughts about "The American Dream."

Muñoz, Cindy

Oral history interview with Naw Bi Tha Aye La [Sound Recording 01]

Session 1. This oral history interview with Naw Bi Tha Aye La was conducted by Sankar Raman on May 13, 2017. 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, Naw Bi Tha Aye La discusses her family background and the circumstances in Myanmar (also known as Burma) that led to her family to seek refuge in the Mae Ra Moe refugee camp on the Thai-Myanmar border. She describes living conditions in the refugee camp, including the polluted water they used, raising their own food, and her education. She also talks about her Karen ethnic identity. She talks about the process of resettling in the United States, including her last day in the camp and settling in Portland, Oregon. She discusses her education in Portland, including learning English as a second language. She talks about her interest in theater, her grades, and her friends. She also talks further about her cultural and ethnic identity. She closes the interview by discussing her plans for the future.

Naw Bi Tha Aye La, 2000-

Oral history interview with Franklin Tokam-Powell [Sound Recording 01]

Session 1. This oral history interview with Franklin Tokam-Powell was conducted by Rachel Ramirez on April 30, 2017. 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, Tokam-Powell discusses his early life in Cameroon, including his family and education. He talks about feeling like he was different and being bullied; his close relationship with one of his older sisters; and his experience as a Jehovah's Witness. He discusses how he realized as a teenager that he was gay and that he would have to leave Cameroon, where homosexuality was criminalized. He talks about moving to Ukraine to attend the Ternopil Ivan Puluj National Technical University, including the culture shock he experienced, learning Ukrainian and Russian, and joining a band as a vocalist. He then talks about touring with his band in China in 2009; moving to China after earning his bachelor's degree in 2012; and moving to South Korea to study public policy at the KDI School of Public Policy and Management in Sejong City. He also talks about passing as straight, being outed to his family, and their subsequent rejection. He discusses becoming ill while in China, and his determination to live life as himself after he recovered. He talks about his experience in South Korea, including the racism he experienced, and how he met his future husband, Tristan Powell. He talks about the process of applying for a fiancé visa to the United States, his marriage to Powell, and his life and career in Oregon. He closes the interview by discussing his current relationship with his family; describing the political situation and the roots of homophobia in Cameroon; and his thoughts on American politics at the time of the interview in 2017.

Tokam-Powell, Franklin B. (Franklin Bobino)

Oral history interview with Dominic Vu Nguyen [Sound Recording 01]

Session 1. This oral history interview with Dominic Vu Nguyen was conducted by Rachel Ramirez on July 9, 2017. 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, Nguyen discusses fleeing Vietnam near the end of the Vietnam War, relocating to the Philippines, and finally settling in upstate New York. He talks about his early life in New York, including adjusting to life in the United States and his education. He also talks about overcoming stereotypes. Nguyen discusses getting into fitness after the birth of his son in 2011, and about competing to appear on the television show American Ninja Warrior in 2017. He closes the interview by describing his 1990 reunion with his father, who had been unable to leave Vietnam with the family, as well as his father's death in 2016.

Nguyen, Dominic Vu, 1973-

Oral history interview with Victor D. Bencomo Acevedo [Sound Recording 01]

Session 1. This oral history interview with Victor D. Bencomo Acevedo was conducted by Kristin Cole and Sankar Raman on May 4, 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 the first session, Bencomo Acevedo discusses his family and early life in Venezuela. He talks about his college experience, his opposition to the government of Hugo Chávez, and the oppression he and his family experienced. He discusses studying economics and working at Benesco Banco Universal. He describes dealing with food shortages in Venezuela; the attempts on his life by Venezuelan paramilitary groups, known as the “colectivos,” including the kidnapping of his sister, as a result of his attendance at a protest; and his escape from Venezuela in 2014. He talks about studying business English in Portland, Oregon, as a student through the Kaplan International Institute, receiving word that he had been officially declared a traitor to Venezuela, and the plight of his family still in Venezuela. He discusses the process for applying for asylum in the United States; the mental toll of his experiences; and the community he has found in Portland.

Bencomo Acevedo, Victor D. (Victor Daniel), 1987-

Oral history interview with Victor D. Bencomo Acevedo [Sound Recording 02]

Session 2. This oral history interview with Victor D. Bencomo Acevedo was conducted by Kristin Cole and Sankar Raman on May 4, 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 the second interview session, Benecomo Acevedo discusses the risks involved in sharing his story, his sister’s kidnapping by colectivos, and the safety of his family at the time of the interview in 2018.

Bencomo Acevedo, Victor D. (Victor Daniel), 1987-

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