Idaho Office for Refugees

“We can stay up late ... and in the morning, I'm making waffles.”

On his first day in office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order suspending the arrival of refugees in the United States, including those who had already been approved and were about to come to America. For one Afghan refugee in Idaho, this means a reunion with his wife and two young children has been put on hold, days before they were going to reunite.

“This is the crappiest club with the best people in it. Survivors … They're always so empathetic. They're so kind, so gracious, they're so thoughtful."

“The feeling of freedom … the feeling of humanity. The feeling to be American person… to be proud of yourself.”

Six years ago, a group of Afghan Refugees in our region started a soccer club. They hosted their first home game recently - a chance to feel at home in their adopted country.

Six years ago, a group of local Afghan refugees started a soccer club. Over the weekend, they hosted their first home game which they are hoping will inspire others to join.

Idaho’s resettlement program began in the 1970s as part of a national effort to receive refugees from Southeast Asia after the Vietnam War. Over the years, the world has become a bit more cruel but Idaho, and the Treasure Valley in particular, has opened its arms to men, women and children from the planet’s most dangerous hotspots.

A forum with Idahoans from refugee backgrounds who are contributing to Idaho’s vitality, diversity and economy.

Jane Chu is a New York-based illustrator and artist. She spent time as chairperson of the National Endowment for the Arts and now she travels around the country to share stories of refugees and immigrants.

Jane Chu’s story is all-American, which is to say that her roots are extraordinarily varied.