"Fleeing war and violence, many refugees dream that moving to the United States will be like going to heaven. Instead, they enter a deeply unequal American society, often at the bottom. Through the lived experiences of families resettled from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Blair Sackett...

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Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Sackett, Blair 1990- (Author), Lareau, Annette 1953- (Author)
Format:	Book
Language:	English
Published:	Oakland, California University of California Press 2023
Series:	A Naomi Schneider book
Subjects:	Migration Kongolesischer Flüchtling > Kongo, Demokratische Republik USA Refugees / Services for / United States Refugees / United States / Social conditions Refugees / Congo (Democratic Republic) / Social conditions Refugees / Services for Refugees / Social conditions Congo (Democratic Republic) United States
Summary:	"Fleeing war and violence, many refugees dream that moving to the United States will be like going to heaven. Instead, they enter a deeply unequal American society, often at the bottom. Through the lived experiences of families resettled from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Blair Sackett and Annette Lareau reveal how a daunting obstacle course of agencies and services can drastically alter refugees' experiences building a new life in America. In these stories of struggle and hope, as one volunteer said, "you see the American story." For some families, minor mistakes create catastrophes-food stamps cut off, educational opportunities missed, benefits lost. Other families, with the help of volunteers and social supports, escape these traps and take steps toward reaching their dreams. Engaging and eye-opening, We Thought It Would Be Heaven brings readers into the daily lives of Congolese refugees and offers guidance for how activists, workers, and policymakers can help refugee families thrive"--
Physical Description:	289 Seiten
ISBN:	9780520379053 9780520379046