Lutheran Immigration & Refugee Service

Forced out of Sudan in 1987 when he was just 8, Amal spent his youth in refugee camps in Ethiopia and Kenya, getting by at times on just one meal every other day. In fleeing the fighting and persecution, Athieu became a part of one of the world’s most famous groups of refugees—the Lost Boys.

Amal began his journey in the cattle fields of his village. When Janjaweed soldiers burst upon his tribe, he and other children fled the violence and lived in the wild for months as they sought safety and protection. Read more.

Over the last 10 years Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service has resettled thousands of Burmese refugees in welcoming communities throughout the United States. One child, 16-year-old Cin Mung, showed his appreciation for his new home in the form of a letter. “I’m really glad to come here…I have more opportunity…I feel thankful,” it reads. Accompanying his words are two pictures, one of the United States flag, and the other of the Burmese flag. These symbols represent Cin’s new dual identity, shaped by the powerful experiences of flight and newfound freedom. Cin, along with his three siblings and parents, came to the United States in August 2008.

Amanda, a 15-year-old girl from Central America, received an invitation to come work at a restaurant in a U.S. city. When she got here, her “employers” held her hostage and told her she would have to work as a masseuse and provide sexual favors to clients. Remarkably, she was able to borrow a cell phone and call her mother. Authorities acted quickly, tracing the call and rescuing her within days. She was placed in the custody of the United States government until an appropriate placement could be identified for her. Staff at LIRS received the referral to find a home for Amanda, and a family was identified that could meet her needs.  Read more.

Luis

Luis is the oldest of three siblings. His mother still resides in Honduras, but his father was killed in his home country. Luis was a witness to the murder. Although the family relocated after this incident, Luis and his family continued to receive constant threats. This prompted Luis to flee to the United States where he had relatives. At sixteen, he left his home country and met up with a group of other immigrants who were travelling to the United States. The group became lost and Luis eventually turned himself into U.S. Border Patrol. He came into the shelter system and was placed at a facility in Arizona. Read more.

Isabelle

Isabelle was just 12 years old when her parents consented to her moving out of their home and into the home of her 35 year old boyfriend. However, not only was Isabelle regularly sexually assaulted by her “boyfriend,” but she immediately learned that this man was married to another woman. Eventually, Isabelle got word to her siblings who were living in the United States about her situation and they immediately began saving money to pay a smuggler, or “coyote,” to bring her across the border and into the United States. Isabelle was apprehended by Border Patrol but was released from federal custody after a short stay in foster care. She was reunited with her adult brother and sister. Read more.

Aung 

Aung is from Burma and at the age of 15 he was beaten and forced to serve as a porter for the Burmese military. The soldiers were abusive and forced him to travel to villages that were a great distance without adequate food or water. As a result of this abuse, Aung fled Burma and sought refuge in Malaysia, a long and difficult journey. After seeking safety in Malaysia, he was accepted into the Unaccompanied Refugee Minor Program and resettled to the United States in December of 2008.  Read more.