More from Sarah Elzas
Gay parents in France - on the fringes of the law
(00:28:30)
From: Sarah Elzas
Same-sex couples who want to have children face many hurdles, more than one might imagine
Baking Christmas in August
(00:03:39)
From: Sarah Elzas
In the heat of the summer, pastry chefs look ahead to the busy Christmas season
Homophobia still strong in Romania
(00:03:14)
From: Sarah Elzas
Romania is the most homophobic country in the EU, according to EU surveys, which highlights the problems with conforming to an EU culture of tolerance.
On board with the Greek Coast Guard
(00:10:39)
From: Sarah Elzas
Greece is struggling on the front lines of immigration into Europe
Pet Cemetery
(00:03:52)
From: Sarah Elzas
Our curious relationship with our pets, even when they die.
Adopt a Child, Save a Life
(00:11:59)
From: Sarah Elzas
An operation to evacuate orphans from Darfur, and bring them to France
Where are the Iraqis in France?
(00:10:54)
From: Sarah Elzas
Why are there so few Iraqi asylum seekers in France?
Piece Description
Asylum seekers are often wary of talking publicly about their experiences, which is one reason why their stories are often left un-told. American Purgatory is a rare look into the asylum process from start to finish through the eyes of an asylum applicant. The documentary takes listeners into the process of applying for asylum through the eyes of "H", an asylum seeker from a former Soviet country who came to New York in 2005. H was represented by lawyers from a large New York law firm that took on his case pro bono (free of charge). Very few asylum seekers are lucky enough to have lawyers. H goes through the process with their help, but throughout, he struggles to pay his rent and support himself without financial assistance or the legal right to work. H's journey is surrounded by stories from others who have been through the asylum process (some without lawyers, some who were in detention) along with people involved in the system, including asylum officers, lawyers, advocates and critics, as well as the US immigration service and Homeland Security. Through the voices of asylum seekers, asylum advocates and those responsible for enforcing U.S. asylum laws, American Purgatory explores the contradictions of a process that is there to protect people in distress, but also has to vet fraudulent applications and infiltration by terrorists. Keywords: refugee, asylum, immigration, terrorism, security
Transcript
http://www.americanpurgatory.org/listen.html
This is American Purgatory, political asylum in the age of terrorism, produced by Olivia Bueno and me, Sarah Elzas.
Imagine that you're in an airport in the US- any airport. You've just arrived from another country. You get off the plane, and head towards the passport inspection line. American citizens on one side, everyone else on the other
If you're not a citizen, an official in a uniform takes your fingerprints and a photo, asks you a few questions, stamps your passport, and you're on your way
But let's say that this is not a vacation- or a business trip:
Asylee: I was obliged to leave Cameroun because I was getting involved in political activity and the government of my country didn't like it. I was fleeing for my life. I wasn't planning to ask for asylum anywhere- I wasn't thinking the United States or another country- I was just wan...
Read the full transcript
Timing and Cues
There is 54 minutes of audio, intended to be broadcast as a 59 minute program with a 5-minute news hole. Segments are:
- Teaser (60 secs)
- Part 1 (25:25, w/60 secs music bed at the end as station break)
- Part 2 (27:35)








Daniel Costello
Posted on May 21, 2008 at 11:47 AM | Permalink
Review of American Purgatory: Political asylum in the age of terrorism
A careful examination of the difficult issue of political asylum and how it has changed since the September 11th attacks. Well written and structured, it is strengthened by the personal stories of several asylum seekers and makes a complicated issue approachable and understandable.