A Refugee Finds His Home

For as long as he can remember, current PVCC student Ahmed Al Srya, 26, was a refugee. He went from being a Palestinian refugee growing up in Iraq to finally arriving in Charlottesville on July 7, 2010, at the age of 19. He officially took his Naturalization Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America Feb. 10.

“When I became a citizen, this is the first time in my life that I have a country and that I’ve become a citizen somewhere,” said Al Srya.

Prior to the Iraq War breaking out in Baghdad, Al Srya had a normal life growing up. He and his family lived in a house and city similar to Charlottesville. 

“When I was a kid, I went to a shop with my mom and I saw a t-shirt with an American Flag on it and [I] was like, ‘Mom, Mom, Mom,’ and my mom, she bought this shirt for me. I never knew one day that I’d be an American. I liked the shirt. I was wearing an American flag because I like flags. When I was a kid, I had a dream that I would live here. So, I guess the dream has become a reality now,” Al Srya said with a smile. 

However, once the war broke out and intensified, he and his brothers could not go to school anymore and that is when they tried to flee to Syria. They were not allowed to enter Syria so they lived in a refugee camp on the Syria-Iraq border.

“We lived there for four years. It was really difficult conditions. There were fires, flooding, scorpions, four years in the desert living in a tent…,” Al Srya said, referring to his time in the refugee camp.  There was a nearby U.S. Army camp who came by and listened to the refugees’ stories. Later representatives of the U. N. came and offered care to those that needed it. While living there, Al Srya had the opportunity to meet a celebrity. 

“Angelina Jolie came to the camp. I got to see her and talk to her. I wish I took a picture with her. She was crying and wanted to let us know to be patient and that we’d get help,” he said. 

Before his family finally arrived in America, they went through a multiple year vetting process. “I had to go through five different U.S. departments before getting here. So, when people say our borders are open, believe me, they’re not,” said Al Srya. His vetting process included the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense, the Department of State, the United States Intelligence Community, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the FBI.    

Al Srya currently works at Best Buy and attends PVCC part time. An unfortunate accident happened at his previous job that gave him time to spend six months focusing on his English trying to get into college. 

“I didn’t pass my first test to get into PVCC by two or three points. I tried and I tried again. I tried so many times to get into PVCC. Your education is so important, and so I finally got in and I’m so happy here at PVCC.”

When not at PVCC or Best Buy, Al Srya can be found volunteering for the International Rescue Committee (IRC) where he interprets and other community service work helping incoming refugees settle.  “I know how they feel when they come here, so I’m helping the IRC to help these people. After all these years of living in a tent, they cry when they see we’ve helped them get a life here,” said Al Srya.

When thinking about finally being able to call America his home and earning his citizenship, Al Srya commented on the people that have helped him to this point and offered a little suggestion for those that question letting refugees in: “The Statue of Liberty, they put it there for a reason, you know. It means something, right? It presents America. America is diverse, this is what makes America great. Plus, Americans are wonderful people who try to help. If we took the time like this and shared stories and understand each other, the world would be much better. But if we just judge people based on their beliefs or politics we will not be successful.”