
Oral History and Folklife Research has launched “Immigrant Voices,” a project allowing immigrants in Maine to tell the stories of their struggles and their experiences. The project is gathering the stories of immigrants from Iraq, Iran, Somalia, Vietnam, Burundi and other countries. Many of the narrators fled war and civil unrest in their countries, hoping to find safety and a new life in the United States, and in some cases have been greeted with suspicion and discrimination. In the midst of vigorous debate over the status of immigrants in the U.S., it is hoped the interviews will promote dialog and understanding between immigrant communities and the larger community in Maine, creating awareness of the cultural gifts immigrants bring to the country. Immigrant Voices is made possible by generous funding from the Delmas Foundation.