Refugees

Speaking Up About Violence In A "Forgotten" Country

Brady Carlson — Mon, 13 May 2013 22:00:47 +0000

It may be the largest war in the world that we don’t hear about. The death toll of what is now called the Great War of Africa likely stretches into the millions.

Group Looks To Counter 'Misinformation' About Refugee Resettlement Efforts In N.H.

Todd Bookman — Wed, 08 May 2013 15:44:37 +0000

Lawmakers and members of the public met in Concord today to learn more about refugee resettlement efforts in New Hampshire. The breakfast gathering was organized by Lutheran Social Services, a non-profit that offers new refugees a range of services including short-term housing and English-language training.

The Story of the Bhutanese

Brady Carlson — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 15:00:00 +0000

For the past few years they’ve been our state’s largest incoming refugee group with hundreds coming every year. A new documentary explores their journeys from nearly twenty years in refugee camps to new lives in the Granite State. We’ll hear their stories, their challenges and hopes for a new life in America.

Guests

Beatrice Munyenyezi's Retrial May Be As Complex As the First

Brady Carlson — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 21:07:24 +0000

Manchester resident Beatrice Munyenyezi goes on trial on charges she lied about her involvement in the Rwandan genocide to come to the United States and obtain US citizenship.

If that sounds familiar, that's because Munyenyezi was on trial earlier this year on the same charges, but the jury couldn't agree on a verdict and the judge declared a mistrial.

Neighborhood Stained by Graffiti Rallies

Taylor Quimby — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 21:00:33 +0000

A rally was held in Concord today in reaction to racist graffiti discovered last weekend on the home of Somali refugees in the city’s South End.

Mayor "disturbed" by latest hate crime

Rebecca Lavoie — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 20:35:47 +0000

Concord’s mayor Jim Bouley says the city isn’t going to tolerate hate crime against its refugee residents. On Sunday morning, a racist message written in black permanent marker appeared on the house of a Somali family in the city’s South End. Bouley stopped by NHPR to talk about this latest incident, which was nearly identical to graffiti that appeared on three refugee homes last fall.

Teaching Refugee Students: Challenges and Rewards

Brady Carlson — Fri, 25 May 2012 17:12:00 +0000

As part of our year-long series on New Hampshire's Immigration Story, we've looked at what it's like for a refugee to arrive in New Hampshire, speaking a different language, and having to learn new customs.

For young refugees who enroll in New Hampshire schools, the challenges can be even greater - and the same goes for teachers working with them.

New Hampshire's Immigration Story: Culture Clashes

Laura Knoy — Wed, 23 May 2012 16:37:22 +0000

As part of our series on New Hampshire’s Immigration Story, we look at what difficulties tend to come up, again and again – also, how different people draw the lines between assimilation and maintaining their culture.

Refugees Start Fresh on the Farm

Todd Bookman — Tue, 22 May 2012 21:31:43 +0000

As a farmer in Bhutan, Laxmi Narayan Mishre provided food and stability for his family.

But when ethnic tensions flared in the small Himalayan country, his land was seized.

With his wife and ten children, Mishre would spend the next two decades living in a cramped refugee camp in neighboring Nepal. Rumors swirled about a possible resettlement to America, and what life would be like here.

North County Reps Evenly Spilt On Vote Reviving Refugee Moratorium Bill

Chris Jensen — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:44:17 +0000

North Country representatives split along party lines in voting Tuesday on a bill that would allow towns and cities to have a one-year moratorium on having refugees settle in their jurisdictions.

Seven were in favor. Seven against. Two were excused from voting.

As NHPR has reported the bill previously passed the House but had trouble when it reached the Senate.

Senate Committee: No to Refugee Moratorium

Sam Evans-Brown — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 19:14:45 +0000

A senate committee has voted to send a bill that would allow communities to ask for a one year moratorium on refugee resettlement for further study.

The committee voted 3-1 to refer the bill to interim study, with Senator David Boutin from Hooksett dissenting. That vote is a polite way of asking the full senate to let the measure die quietly.

Committee Chair Senator Jack Barnes says he doesn’t think the state legislature has the authority to pass this bill.

Opponents Blast Refugee Moratorium Bill

Sam Evans-Brown — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 20:49:48 +0000

A bill that would allow communities to ask for a one-year moratorium on refugee resettlement has made it to a Senate Committee, but critics of the bill are piling up.

Most North Country Legislators Favored Refugee Resettlement Bill

Chris Jensen — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 15:02:10 +0000

North Country representatives overwhelmingly voted in favor of House Bill 1405 which would allow jurisdictions such as Manchester to ask for a moratorium on refugee resettlement.

As NHPR reported: “Under the bill New Hampshire towns could ask for a one-year moratorium on new refugee resettlements, which opponents say the state doesn’t have the authority to do.”

NH House Passes Refugee Moratorium Bill

Sam Evans-Brown — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 20:49:25 +0000

The New Hampshire House of Representatives voted today to pass a bill that would allow the city of Manchester to ask for a moratorium on refugee resettlement.

The bill is a seen as a victory for Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas, who has been calling for a moratorium since last July.

How the Darjees Pay the Bills

Keith Shields — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 21:00:00 +0000

As part of our series “New Hampshire’s Immigration Story”, Keith Shields is following one Bhutanese refugee family, the Darjees, as they adjust to their first year living in the Granite State. Today he learns how they pay the bills.