Immigration Rundown Archives

By Alyssa Van Hook Jan 15, 2021

Immigration Rundown

Iraqi Translator Becomes U.S. Airman

In 2003, Airman 1st Class Saeed Shnawa was not Airman 1st Class Saeed Shnawa. He was a 21-year-old Iraqi student...

By Chad Menegay Jan 4, 2021

Immigration Rundown

Freedom and Opportunity: A Togolese-American story

In West Africa on the Gulf of Guinea stands Lomé, a port of trade and transportation hub that is the...

By Tony Valdovinos Dec 21, 2020

Opinion

I dreamed of becoming a Marine my entire life. Then I learned I was undocumented

"I couldn’t work legally. I couldn’t get a driver’s license. Worst of all, I was prohibited from defending my country."

By Meredith Mathis Dec 7, 2020

Immigration Rundown

War after the war: The long fight to bring our unsung heroes home

Only time will tell if we will make good on those promises.

By Sgt. Jessica DuVernay, U.S. Army Nov 9, 2020

Immigration Rundown

Pledging allegiance from Iraqi interpreter to US soldier to American citizen

"I didn't have a normal and safe childhood ... I did this so my kids could live, and be safe"

By Esther Bergdahl Oct 23, 2020

Immigration Rundown

Meet the refugee who escaped civil war and became an American soldier

At 20 years old, Army Spc. Poe Hsee understands selfless service more than others. Born into the ethnic Karen minority...

By Alun Thomas, U.S. Army Oct 9, 2020

Community

From Mexico to the US Army, this recruiter excels at serving his adopted country

Staff Sgt. Roberto Morales, a recruiter for Superstition Recruiting Station, Tempe Recruiting Company, was born and raised in Mexico until...

By Staff Sgt. Steven Tucker, U.S. Air Force Oct 8, 2020

Community

Immigrant Guardsman helps community while activated for COVID-19 response

U.S. Army Spc. Juan Herrera, 142nd Area Support Medical Company combat medic, helped spearhead a grassroots effort to deliver food...

By Tech. Sgt. Samantha Mathison, U.S. Air Force Oct 7, 2020

Community

A former war refugee lives the American dream as a Reserve airman

As a result of the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina, an estimated 40,000 Bosnian refugees immigrated to St. Louis, Missouri, in the...

By Capt. Travis Mueller, U.S. Army Oct 1, 2020

Immigration Rundown

Deployed soldier becomes US citizen

U.S. Army Spc. Daniel Rivera Romero, a CH-47 helicopter repairer currently deployed with Bravo Company, 628th Aviation Support Battalion, 28th...

By James Clark Sep 28, 2020

Entertainment

Holocaust survivor, Korean War hero, and one-man wrecking crew: New comic celebrates MoH recipient Tibor Rubin

A new comic book pays homage to Cpl. Tibor Rubin, a Holocaust survivor whose battlefield bravery during the Korean War...

By Esther Bergdahl Sep 8, 2020

Community

He was born in a village in Sudan. It took joining the Army to find his home

Seven years before he was granted U.S. citizenship at a federal district courthouse in Des Moines, Pfc. Fortytwo Chotper was...

By Esther Bergdahl Sep 8, 2020

Community

He came to America to join the military. Then he sacrificed his life and became a community hero

On that fateful December night in 2017, he could have easily escaped the flames unharmed, but Emmanuel Mensah's overwhelming sense...

By Travis Weiner Sep 8, 2020

Immigration Rundown

I was in the wrong fight in Iraq. As an immigration lawyer, I found the right one

Editor's note: this post first appeared in November, 2016 I can’t remember the exact moment (if there even was one)...

By James Clark Sep 8, 2020

Immigration Rundown

The Taliban drove his family out of Afghanistan when he was a child. Now he wants to go back as a Marine

23 years ago, the Taliban drove Pvt. Atiqullah Assadi and his family from their home in Afghanistan. Now, he's a...

By James Clark Sep 8, 2020

Immigration Rundown

She was born in a Russian prison and became a trailblazing infantry Marine

18-year-old Maria Daume’s path to the yellow footprints of Parris Island, South Carolina, which will culminate in her graduation on...

By Jesse Paul and Natalie Weber, The Denver Post May 31, 2018

Immigration Rundown

One State Wants To Help Refugees And Immigrants Who Aided US Troops Abroad Pay For College

Maytham Alshadood came to the U.S. and Colorado in 2008 after years of serving as a combat interpreter for American...

By Maj. James King Feb 14, 2018

Immigration Rundown

In ‘8 Seconds Of Courage,’ A Soldier Investigates The Moment That Earned Him The Medal Of Honor

On Aug. 8, 2012, I lost a friend, four families lost their husband and fathers, and the country gained a...

By Jared Keller Jan 29, 2018

Immigration Rundown

7 Immigrant Service Members Who Perfectly Capture The Spirit Of Military Service

On Jan. 11, a frustrated President Donald Trump allegedly posed a jarring question to the bipartisan group of lawmakers gathered...

By James Clark Jun 9, 2017

Immigration Rundown

He Was A Terp For Recon Marines In Helmand. Now He’s Headed To The School Of Infantry

For three years, Mohammad Nadir served alongside infantry and reconnaissance Marines, police advisers, and coalition forces in volatile districts like...

By Chris Hernandez Oct 8, 2014

Immigration Rundown

Why The Military’s Plan To Accept Illegal Immigrants Is A Smart Idea

The headline jumped at me like a Bouncing Betty: “Department of Defense Planning to Let Illegal Immigrants Enlist.” The words...

Immigration Rundown

News

Featured in Immigration Rundown

Iraqi Translator Becomes U.S. Airman

Freedom and Opportunity: A Togolese-American story

I dreamed of becoming a Marine my entire life. Then I learned I was undocumented

War after the war: The long fight to bring our unsung heroes home

Pledging allegiance from Iraqi interpreter to US soldier to American citizen

Meet the refugee who escaped civil war and became an American soldier

From Mexico to the US Army, this recruiter excels at serving his adopted country

Immigrant Guardsman helps community while activated for COVID-19 response

A former war refugee lives the American dream as a Reserve airman

Deployed soldier becomes US citizen

Holocaust survivor, Korean War hero, and one-man wrecking crew: New comic celebrates MoH recipient Tibor Rubin

He was born in a village in Sudan. It took joining the Army to find his home

He came to America to join the military. Then he sacrificed his life and became a community hero

I was in the wrong fight in Iraq. As an immigration lawyer, I found the right one

The Taliban drove his family out of Afghanistan when he was a child. Now he wants to go back as a Marine

She was born in a Russian prison and became a trailblazing infantry Marine

One State Wants To Help Refugees And Immigrants Who Aided US Troops Abroad Pay For College

In ‘8 Seconds Of Courage,’ A Soldier Investigates The Moment That Earned Him The Medal Of Honor

7 Immigrant Service Members Who Perfectly Capture The Spirit Of Military Service

He Was A Terp For Recon Marines In Helmand. Now He’s Headed To The School Of Infantry

Why The Military’s Plan To Accept Illegal Immigrants Is A Smart Idea