Immigration Snapshot: Photo Stories By Oregon Refugees And Asylees

Abstract

A narrative can make or break a movement; the movement for immigration reform is no exception. Despite the frequent and heated discourse, significant immigration reform has not been passed in almost 40 years. A major cause of this policy stagnation is the disparity between the dominant narrative and the actual experiences of immigrants, refugees, and asylees. This inquiry aims to reignite momentum for policy change by contributing to ongoing efforts to bridge the gap between reality and the dominant narrative, centering immigrant, refugee, and asylee storytellers and the stories they want to tell. Inspired by the photo-voice methodology, this inquiry integrates storytelling, visual art, and narrative analysis by inviting six Oregon refugees and asylees to contextualize themselves and their communities through photo stories. Specifically, this inquiry centered around the questions: “What can photo stories from Oregon refugees and asylees tell us about their experiences?” and “How can photo stories from Oregon refugees and asylees complicate the dominant narrative around immigration?” Seven common themes emerged related to these phenomena of interest: Oregon, home countries, multiculturalism, hardships and challenges, resilience, helping others, and nature. From these themes three recommendations were also made: adapt to similarity and difference, lead with curiosity not judgment, and center immigrants, refugees, and asylees.