Susan J. Cohen - Journeys from There to Here: Stories of Immigrant Trials, Triumphs, and Contributions

PRAISE FOR

JOURNEYS FROM THERE TO HERE

Not numbers. Not faceless individuals. Each case a person. Her dreams, his pain, her ambition, his loves, her fear, his despair. We stagger as we try to understand our nations benefit from and yet deep fear of immigrants. This slender and uplifting volume guides us to new understandings of exactly what is at stake for our future. A must read, as important now as ever.

MARGARET H. MARSHALL, immigrant, and former chief justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court

Susan Cohens masterful case studies of the adventures of eleven of her immigration clients are rich in detail, but the book ultimately tells a single tale, shot like an arrow: Would-be immigrants to the United States can run a gauntlet of atrocities in their countries of origin, only to encounter unreasonable obstruction later from the inaptly named immigration and naturalization services of our own government.

The stories are poignant, terrifying, and maddening, evoking pity and terror in the mode of a Greek tragedy.

At the end of the day, however, the book is uplifting. The heartbeat of Susan Cohens narrative is the heartbeat of the immigrants themselves, intensely grateful for the opportunity to work hard to create a secure life for themselves and their children.

Anyone reading this book will find it a small wonder that nearly half of all Fortune 500 companies in the United States are led by immigrants or the children of immigrants as CEOs. By the time they raise their hand to take the oath of allegiance before a federal judge, many have passed through a crucible and have the strength and resilience of tempered steel.

WILLIAM WELD, United States attorney for Massachusetts from 19811986, governor from 19911997, and a law partner of Susan Cohen.

For renowned immigration lawyer Susan Cohen, each migrant has as a story to tell even though these stories are often tragically lost in the highly politicized immigration debate. The stories of these eleven brave people and their families are a powerful reminder that America must live up to its promise as a democratic beacon of hope for people around the world by welcoming immigrants and being a land where justice and compassion prevail.

JOHN SANDERS, former acting commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection

From the front lines of the fight for immigrant justice, one of the nations leading immigration attorneys, shares the stories of courageous immigrants she helps every day. Chapter-by-chapter, story-by-story, Susan Cohen shines light on the way our antiquated and, at times, cruel immigration system treats the stranger among us.

ALI NOORANI, executive director, National Immigration Forum

Behind every immigrant is a human story. Susan Cohen brings these stories to life with inspiring accounts of her clients, who braved many hardships to join, and help constitute our nation of immigrants. An essential antidote to the anti-immigrant rhetoric that too often dominates US politics.

DAVID COLE, national legal director, ACLU; author of Enemy Aliens: Double Standards and Constitutional Freedoms in the War on Terrorism

Susan Cohen has written an important book full of insight, honesty and wisdom. As an experienced immigration lawyer, she speaks from the front lines. The stories she tells will move you and remind you why immigration is so vital to Americas future.

BILL BRADLEY, former United States senator

Susan Cohens Journeys from There to Here puts names and faces to the headlines we read on Americas immigration and asylum problems. Too often we see only the numbersmore than 200,000 people apprehended at our southern border each month in mid-2021but miss the actual details of who these people are, why they come, and what they contribute to America if we welcome them. Cohen introduces us to remarkable people and the hurdles they face, not just to get here but to remain in the face of open hostility from some politicians. It will make you cry and smilebut most of all it will make you proud that we are a country that offers hope and promise for so many.

LINDA CHAVEZ, former director of public liaison in the White House under President Reagan and frequent writer on immigration issues.

This fascinating, challenging, and stimulating book by Susan J. Cohen with Steven T. Taylor truly helps others to walk a mile in immigrants shoes. A penetrating book with great insight and practical suggestions, this is a must read for CEOs of corporations, religious heads, and university presidents.

SUDARSHANA DEVADHAR, resident bishop, New England ConferenceUnited Methodist Church

In the moving and inspiring stories of these diverse immigrantsincluding refugees fleeing political, religious, ethnic persecutionthis distinguished immigration attorney has drawn on her vast experience and wisdom to paint a haunting picture of Americas dysfunctional immigration and asylum system. These stories compellingly portray the vast array of gifts and benefits that these immigrants, representative of the vast majority of immigrants to our country, have bestowed on America. And yet, the vivid depictions of their plights belie our biblical values of welcoming the stranger and show us that we must act now to improve our immigration systems and do better in opening our hearts to those seeking refuge and freedom when they come to our shores.

RABBI DAVID SAPERSTEIN, former US ambassador-at-large for International Religious Freedom; senior advisor for policy and strategy, Union for Reform Judaism

With remarkable clarity and unique insight, Susan Cohens Journeys from There to Here offers readers an important and unusual close-up connection with eleven of her clientstheir remarkable stories, extraordinary resilience, and harrowing pathways to citizenship. Emblematic of the thousands of immigrants who are essential members of our communities and our social fabric, Susan reminds that the vast majority of us are immigrants, and these immigrants personal stories are all of ours. Having worked and lived in many of the places from which the clients featured in this book have fled, and seen first-hand the circumstances that moved them to make the painful decisions that led them to the US, I was moved by the joys and losses this book shared through intimate and informed personal narratives. Susan elegantly illustrates their remarkable resilience and integrity and their social and economic contributions to our communities and to our democratic systems and the rule of law. With her deep understanding of the intricacies of US immigration law and the dangerous politicization of their plight, she shares our outrage and most importantly leaves readers with clear actions for how each of us can engage and support immigrants rights and those who heroically represent them at great personal sacrifice each day. An important read for all who care about social justice and believe in our common humanity.

ABBY MAXMAN, president and CEO, Oxfam America

This magnificent book tells the lasting story of this countrythe immigrant storythrough a banker, scientist, philosopher, musician, social scientist, educator, and refugees from Sudan, China, and North and East Africa, and their remarkable lawyer Susan Cohen. This is a book about immigrants of the world who are multicultural and grace our country with their immense talents and who chose a lawyer whose skills, dedication, and empathy transformed their lives and our citizenry.

IRA KURZBAN, author, Kurzbans Immigration Law Sourcebook; former president, American Immigration Lawyers Association

Susan Cohens narratives, from the first to the last, no doubt will inspire lawyers to step up and take on immigration cases pro bono. But the true resonance of her words is found in how she opens minds and hearts to the myriad ways in which immigrants strengthen our country.