Advertisement
Social Justice

Refugees visit Trump’s childhood home

Oxfam arranges hire of the house in Queens to make a point about immigration policy and looming travel ban

While President Trump was preparing to vent fury at the UN General Assembly in New York City, his childhood home across town played host to a unlikely group of guests.

Oxfam invited four refugees from Syria, Somalia and Vietnam to spend the day at the old house in Queens – a property available to rent daily after its current owner put it up on Airbnb for $725 a night.

Shannon Scribner, Oxfam America’s acting director for humanitarian programs and policy, said the stunt was designed to show “all people…have the right to a safe place to call home.”

“What makes America great is our diversity of experiences, ideas, talents, and the opportunity for anyone to succeed,” she explained.

“What better place to represent that than the former home of the President of the United States in Queens, NY – one of the most diverse communities in the world.”

One of those visited the home, Uyen Nguyen, said she feared “new immigrants aren’t given the same warm welcome” she received when arriving in the US.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Advertisement

Nguyen fled Vietnam when she was 10 years old. “I have never talked much about my journey, but I now feel it’s my responsibility to spread understanding of what it’s like for refugees – and hopefully open the doors for those who need our support the most.”

The US has abandoned its leadership role, leaving a vacuum in its place

Next month the US Supreme Court will hear oral arguments regarding Trump’s now infamous travel ban, part of which is designed to keep put vulnerable refugees.

Congress will consider how much funding to provide to critical programs that support refugees.

“Lives are hanging in the balance while we wait to see if President Trump and other world leaders will fulfil their duty to uphold the rights of refugees and other displaced people,” said Scribner.

“The US has abandoned its leadership role, leaving a vacuum in its place.”

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

SIGN THE PETITION

Will you sign Big Issue's petition to ask Keir Starmer to pass a Poverty Zero law? It's time to hold government to account on poverty once and for all.

Recommended for you

Read All
Here's why 49 Labour MPs still voted against Starmer's benefits bill: 'It's not the Labour way'
Liz Kendall
Disability benefits

Here's why 49 Labour MPs still voted against Starmer's benefits bill: 'It's not the Labour way'

Thousands of children find hope in tent schools in Gaza: 'We try to make the students smile'
Students at Gaza Great Minds
Gaza

Thousands of children find hope in tent schools in Gaza: 'We try to make the students smile'

Police could stop opioid deaths with this drug. So why do some UK forces stop officers carrying it?
A police officer administers nasal naloxone.
Drug deaths

Police could stop opioid deaths with this drug. So why do some UK forces stop officers carrying it?

MPs vote to take forward 'brutal' cuts to disability benefits: 'It will come to haunt this government'
Liz Kendall
Disability benefits

MPs vote to take forward 'brutal' cuts to disability benefits: 'It will come to haunt this government'

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue
4.

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue