-- Hi, I'm.

-- Eric Ford for Made Here.

-- Braiding A New Life.

-- From Guilford, Vermont -- filmmakers.

-- Willow O'Farrell and Brad.

--Heck is a portrait of Sarah, --a Ghanian woman -- who is navigating.

-- Life in Brattleboro.

-- We are with Sarah and -her.

- Daily life in Vermont.

-As she learns to drive -!braids, her friend -Dora's hair -- chats on the local.

-- Radio station, -!listens to a Congolese -refugee -- band, and visits.

-- An African market.

-- This film was supported.

-- By the Media fund.

-- You can watch.

-- Braiding a New Life -- and other great made here.

-- Films -- streaming on our -!website.

- And through the PBS -app.

-- Enjoy the film.

-- And thanks for watching.

-- Hi Liv!

-- Hey, Sarah.

How are you?

-- I'm good.

-- How are you doing?

-- Good.

Thank you.

-- You look gorgeous.

-- Thank you, so do you.

--So, you know, you have -court on the 14th, -so we're doing our follow up -prep session.

-So I'm going to pretend -to be your attorney -and then I'll pretend to -be the DHS attorney.

-and then we're going -to go over a little -!how to work with the interpreter -in the court system.

-!- Sounds good.

- Okay, perfect.

-Ok, let's get started.

-!All right.

What is your name?

-- Sarah.

-- When were you born?

-- Born?

-I'm born in Ghana.

Kumasi.

-- When?

Like your birthday?

-When were you born?

-- I'm born in Ghana, Kumasi.

-On August 12, 1988.

-!- So youre a citizen of Ghana?

-- Yes.

-- Why did you come -to the United States?

-- I came here -to seek protection.

-!- So I am the Executive Director -of the Community Asylum -Seekers Project, or CASP -Which is a nonprofit, -located in southern Vermont.

-!And we provide social services -and legal services -to asylum seekers.

-And it's funny, though, -because when I started, -I would wear like this -blouse to the office, -just like a normal blouse, -from Anne Taylor.

-And they were like, - "that's so fashionable.

-I'm like, this is an office.

-Like, what am I -supposed.

to wear to work?

-It's very Vermont, -like people are like -in leggings -and a sweatshirt.

-Yeah.

-!I mean, -you know, my my family, -I come -from a family of -immigrants, -and I was not born in the US.

-and I think being a white -immigrant really has shaped -the way I view this work, -because it is just, -such a different - like I'm -not immediately identifiable -as an immigrant, -although I was on the bus -!the other day and I was talking -to one of our clients, in -!Spanish, and the man behind me -told me "to go back to my -country.

-And I turned around.I was -like, "Germany or Ukraine?

-And he was like, - "you were speaking Spanish!

-And I was like, - "people can learn multiple -languages.

-Like, yes, -- [INAUDIBLE] told me that -she was born in Mexico.

-[INAUDIBLE] -- And then she does like -- princess kind of thing.

-!- KATE: And so I first met Sarah -when Community Asylum -Seekers Project -got a call from a pastor, -a Dominican pastor, -in Plattsburgh, New York.

-I remember him saying to me -!on the phone, "Sarah is special.

-And that ended up, you -know, being very, very true.

-And Sarah is special.

-And Sarah is also not unique.

-She has an arrival story, -that is common -in it's tenacity -and common -in its number of maddening -and cruel obstacles -that have come up for her.

-So she, -had essentially gotten -stuck in Plattsburgh, -gotten to know -this man at his church, -and he called around -to all of the asylum -support organizations -he could find.

-And we said, "yes.

-You know, she had been in the -States, for a while at that -point.

-She had crossed the border.

-She had gotten -stuck in detention.

-She had been moved to a -different detention center, -making friends and allies, -and solidarity networks -at every step of the way.

-!- Dora, guess what!

I saw Paula.

-!Paula doing video on TikTok.

-- Who's Paula?

-!- Paula, the one who steal onion -and cabbage in her pants!

-- Oh yeah, with the salad?

-She's with the onion salad!

-- Yes, with the onions -in her pants in detention.

-- And then officer -check her and say, -!

"What is here?

Pull it down!"

-You put the salad and onion, -they put!

-- Oh the Paula from -when you were in detention!

-- Yeah, when I saw her -live on Tik Tok -when I saw her I -started laughing!

-- You know -funny people like that -they survive the detention.

-- Yeah.

Yeah -- Just imagine, that place -smell of onion already!

-!Do you have to put onion there?

-That woman make me laugh!

-- Mine doesn't smell -like onion, O!

-- DORA: So, when I met her -for the first time, -I was happy to see -another African in Vermont.

-Yes.

-So for me, she wasn't only -the asylum seeker -I worked with at CASP -She became like a sister -for me.

-Yes.

I saw an innocent -young lady -not knowing where to go, -what to do, and -and I knew how hard it is -really to manage -life here by yourself.

-!Normally, she don't like gel, -!but I like it to make the hair s -Dora don't like it to -be attached with her hair -but this, the most thing -salons are using -in Ohio, some places I know.

-But she don't like it!

-It's good!

-It makes the hair beautiful.

-Hello, Miss Dora!

-- Hi, hi Sarah!

-When did you come back?

-- Oh!

[inaudible] -- I love this -This was really from Kate... -from New York.

-- New York.

-!So, do you know what I can do?

-Um, I'm gonna do this.

-Which color do you prefer?

-Very beautiful.

-Which one do you prefer?

-- I don't know -- This one, this two of them -is almost equal.

-So, when they come together, -it's good -Then this one will -be on the top, finally.

-- Sarah, I don't want to see -on my head, three colors -- They call it layers!

-Layers mean no one color.

-I will put other color -when I put it on top.

-- Sarah, I'll look crazy.

-!- No no no it will not be crazy!

-- Sarah, are you going to -braid all three packages?

-- You said that you -don't want it too big -like the way I used to -do for you.

-!- My head will gonna be heavy!

-- No!

It's not too much -!- Then you are right to mix it -Yeah...Even in my culture, -we do like... -Yeah, good things really -are like costly -Beauty costs!

-I don't know why -I did not do journalism, -but I love... -It's a dream I have -to have like a podcast -Do like um... -community connection -My first trip to Vermont -was 2007.

-!There's an event that happened -here in summer -- Mm-hm -- Where there is -parade downtown.

-- Mm-hm -- So my first time to see -cows doing parade -- Really?!

-- In Vermont!

-I laughed!

I say, What?!

-It reminds me of Africa -!Because I never knew that here, -Running in the streets, -- That would be funny!

-- ...making parade -- I came, um, -I didn't even know, -we have a state -called Vermont here -I know, God will not -come down to help me, Sarah.

-This, this, this... -!He pass through an organization -that they helped me to come, -which is, I know -you're gonna laugh, -I don't know how to -pronounce it well, -CAPS -- CASP -- Caps -- CASP -- CASP!

-- What challenges -you the most in, -in Vermont, especially?

-- The challenges I'm facing -about, uh...rides.

-Yeah.

-- Vermont really -public transportation... -- Transportation.

-If you know how to drive, -that one will be help you!

-Like me - if you don't -know how to drive, - -- Yeah -- I thought you were -learning how to drive.

-- I'm into it, -!but when we entered this winter, -I called Mr. Bert -I said hey, the snow -is gonna fall!

-- This is not a -good time to do driving.

-- Yeah.

-He said, it's gonna snow, -it's gonna fall -!As soon as he said, he told me, -within 30 or 45 minutes -I see my window, -it's falling like rain!

-I said, look at this snow!

-Why you want to spoil my day?

-- So cars had like.

-- 300 volunteers.

-- For asylum seekers, knowing -!how to drive is very important.

-So, CASP, it has like -300 volunteers.

-So we reach out -to volunteers -who were willing to provide, -like driving lessons.

-- Hello!

-- Hey!

-- Are you ready for a - -- I'm good!

How was work?

-- Driving?

Ok!

-- But you have to assume, -any place you are, -that there could be a -car coming the other way too.

-You always stay on the right.

-Yeah -How about in Ghana?

-It's on the right, right?

-Is it on the right?

-- So the situation I am, -I was like a--a--- -what do you call it?

-Umm -!Do I even notice those things?

-Because I never dreamed -!that I would have a car, before!

-- Oh yeah -- My life was something-- -just --struggle life!

-- Right.

-- Never even think that -I will drive someday -Or have a car someday.

-- I let this one go first -because I got there second.

-- Okay -!- See, it's a stop all around.

-Oh -All ways.

So you take turns.

-- uh-huh -- Whoever gets there first -should be the one to go first -- Go first.

Oh okay.

-You don't have to -in a hurry pass by -!Or, you - you - try to overtake!

-- No, no, no -!- In Africa, they like overtakin -- No, no competition -- I'm gonna make it -!like you're getting in the car -for the first time.

-!Turn it off, put on the brake.

-- Okay.

-- Just cuz it's good -practice for you.

-- Mm-hm -!- Yeah, you're good on that now.

-!You can feel a little bit of gas -Okay, we're good.

-- Mm-hm -I can also go straight -to the bank or no?

-- But - See, Do Not Enter.

-- Okay [Laughs] -- Yeah - there's a one-way.

-Yeah -Oo!

Oo!

Oo!

[Laughs] -Whoa whoa whoa!

-[Inaudible talking] -Stop at the corner -- You know what?

-!She has renewed that license - -learner's permit - twice -or three times -- No, not-!

-- Get your license!

-Wait till I answer.

-- No, I'm talking about the -learner one, which expired -they said I should let-- -- Nobody renew -learner's permit, O!

-- Really?

-- Do driver's test.

-- She can't really -do the test yet -- Since I don't know how - -!- That's so diplomatic Willow - -Willow's like, mm, -I don't think, mm -!- But Scott said I can do it!

-Scott said I can do it, Liv!

-!- Willow!

I don't encourage her -to keep renewing and renewing -!You better learn how to drive, -Sarah!

-- Then who is gonna -continue now?

-Bert is done with me.

-!- Sarah!

Don't pull me so much -!- It's not pull, look!

Just that -It's not pulling -- My head is really soft -!- I know, I know.

I didn't hurt -But definitely, you can't -do hair, you not feel it -You'll feel a little bit -- Ow!

You know... -- Oh my god -- Yeah -!Sarah, do you see how my hair -is all gray hair?

-- No -- I didn't even color it -I had the color, -but I didn't have time.

-You know how you get home -you are so exhausted -- So... -- So, tell me about -The hairstyle that -you're gonna make -- This hairstyle?

-- Yeah -- You reduce my rice -a little bit more.

-Please.

-- I'm talking about hair, -you're talking about rice.

-- Yeah -(Laughs) -Yeah, it is a hairstyle -This hairstyle, -we call it rasta in Africa -- Oh yeah yeah yeah -- Yeah, but America, -they don't know rasta!

-Rasta is Bob Marley -They call Bob Marley "rasta" -- Yeah -They don't know about -the hairstyle we call rasta -- Yeah.

-- Yeah, so, yeah -In my country, -!they call it "rasta tres fait" -When they are -small-small, small ones -- Mm -- Yeah -- Sarah, please -- It's not tight -- Yeah it is!

-- No!

-- Mm-hm -- You see?

It's shaking, -if something is tight, -it cannot hold -You see the down.

It's soft.

-That is I'm no... -!I'm not tightening it...too much -- What are you cooking?

-It smells good.

-- Yeah, I looked at it, -there's a... -Uh...What do you call it?

-A sardine -What do you call it -here in America?

-- Sardine -- Yeah, because, uh, tatos - -when I mentioned -they laugh at me, -because I don't know -how to pronounce it.

-I love that one -When you use it for food, -it's good.

-So I remember one day, -one day, and one man -this African, asked me, -!

"Hey, why, young lady, you are -going and stay in Vermont?"

-I see the man, -the way the man is talking, -!I see that Vermont is no good.

-And I say, -why are you saying that?

-"Yeah, it's good, -!but you can't stock on food..." -Yeah, I don't like this -bagel-bagel and those things, -I'm not enjoying it at all -All I want is to -get African shop, -Get my fufu stuffs -Get my smoking fish, -saltfish... -- Aww... -- It takes a long way -to go there, -because you use 45 minutes -or one hour, I think?

-- I think from here -to Springfield, Mass -is 45 minutes drive.

-- Yeah.

Yeah.

-Things that I want to make -my food and be eating -and feel myself, -that you are African, -still you see yourself there.

-Not that you are there, -but you see yourself there -!eating what they are eating ther -You are getting it here.

-I wanted to ask him - -!if it's millet, I will buy it.

-I want millet to make -a porridge in the morning -- Yeah, nice -- But I don't know, -I didn't see millet - -if it is millet, -they will write "millet" -- Yeah -But they might - -- Which one you are -buying for Dora?

-- I'll get this one for Dora -Unless I find a -bigger peanut flour.

-- Sarah, do you -need any of this?

-- No.

No, I have a lot.

-(Sarah and the shopkeeper -speaking Twi and Fante) -- Yeesh!

-Saltfish?

-- It looks like this?

-- Each one has a price.

-!

(Haggling, discussing products) -This is saltfish -Is this the saltfish with -the rough scales?

-- That's why I'm -showing it to you.

-Yeesh!

-- I'm giving you a hard time!

-What is this?

-- Keta Schoolboys -(a kind of small dry fish) -- keta schoolboys, -keta schoolboys... -Is it the salted kind?

-- No it's from Congo -- Oh, it's for Congo people -- Who is preparing a tea?

-John, you?

Are you a British?

-Did you come into the country -with your visa?

-- Let me come and take it.

-Ugh -I think I will take one.

-Yeah.

That's enough.

-- KATE: The determination -of who counts as a refugee -and who counts as an asylee, -which is an asylum seeker -who's been approved, -is largely -a political definition.

-And I think if you look -at the proportions -of who gets asylum -and who doesn't, -who gets refugee status -and who doesn't, -you can kind of draw -the lines of U.S. -interests around the world.

-People often, -you know, mistake this, -but there is no illegal -way to seek asylum.

-People show up at the -!border to save their own lives, -and that's -what they're supposed -to be allowed to do.

-- They arrive at the border, -or the port of entry, -ask for asylum, -you know, flag their fear, -to return home, -and then they're placed -in I.C.E.

detention.

-Some of them are released.

-Some of them have to -bond out.

-So to bond out, -you need a sponsor -that shows -that they can financially, -emotionally, etc., support -you and make sure -that you attend -your legal proceedings.

-And then after that, it's -difficult because you're -Unless you have family -or friends who they're able -to support you, -you're sort of on your own.

-And depending on the state, -!asylum seekers are not eligible -for a lot of benefits -and they're not able to work.

-They can't apply for their -work permit until 150 days -have passed -from filing their -asylum application, -and then they still have -to be processed.

-You have asylum seekers -who can't work for eight, -nine months a year.

-And you know, -!what are people supposed to do -in that situation?

-So people don't realize -that refugees -not to say that their -journey is whatsoever easy, -but that they have -access to, you know, -federally funded case -management and, -you know, relocation, -and like rent etc., -whereas asylum seekers, -have literally nothing.

-It's really up to individuals -and nonprofit organizations -that are not linked -to the federal government to -!provide those services for them.

-That's where CASP comes in.

-We try to, you know, support -those basic needs, -while theyre waiting for -their work permit.

-Ok. Let's say - -the judge is you, asking me, -"How did you get to America?"

-!- So, after Brazil, how did you -I would say, like, "a woman -helped me buy a bus ticket" -"to Peru to help -me escape Brazil. "

-"And then from there -!we went through these countries, -"I got to the -U.S.-Mexican border, --" -- Do you know these people!

-They want to prove/know -that you are really -telling the truth -that you passed through - -they want you to -count through the countries!

-!They did to me in Immigration.

-"How many countries did you -pass before Mexico?"

-I started counting.

-From Peru, Ecuador.

-Ecuador, Colombia.

-Colombia through the forest, -From the forest, Panama -!Panama, Costa Rica.

Costa Rica, -to Nicaragua!

-- I think you can say that -- -- Nicaragua, Honduras.

-Honduras, Guatemala.

-From Guatemala to -Mexico, Tapachula!

-- The fact that the -asylum journey -is so long and arduous -and that there's -no support for people -until they get to a place -like Brattleboro, -means that it can be -very, very difficult to build -a case as legally robust -as is required.

-Sarah traveled from Ghana, -where her life -was in danger, to Brazil, -where she was trafficked -for labor, -to the United States.

-She essentially went -from Brazil -to the United States on foot, -with some bus trips.

-You know.

-Can you imagine along the way -bringing a dossier -of paperwork to justify -your asylum case?

-You'd - you know, she didn't -have a camera, right?

-She didn't have a -recording device.

-There were some things -that Sarah had in her pocket, -when she was crossing -various rivers -on her way from South America -to the U.S borders, -that were damaged by water.

-You know, you lose stuff.

-And and the journey -!doesn't translate automatically -to the court room.

-And so, you know, -if Sarah's case is denied, -does it mean that she didn't -have a robust case?

-Does it mean that she -doesn't deserve asylum?

No.

-Okay, so let's ask again.

-So I'm the DHS attorney -!You might have a nice attorney -You might have a -mean attorney so -I'm going to go in the middle -and see -- I got you -It's good to open my mind -- You were in Brazil -for how long?

-- For two years -- So in two years you never -!asked for asylum in Brazil, why?

-- Why?

I don't go out.

-- What do you mean -you mean you don't go out?

-- I don't go out because -they know, if I go out, I may -I may met somebody -!who can understand my language -the English that -I can express myself to -- Why does that matter?

-- It matter that, um -I have no - I have no anyone -to talk to as a friend -that I can explain -what I'm passing through.

-Open up to someone, -!open up what I'm going through -to someone -Because if I'm able -to have a friend, -I can sit the friend down -and tell, hey, -!this is what I'm passing through -I need to seek asylum.

-- And so at this point, -the attorney would say, -!

"Judge, this is not responsive."

-- Okay -- You're not answering the -question that they asked -well, let's try it again.

-Why do you feel -you were trafficked?

-- I didn't know the language!

-I don't speak Portuguese.

-I don't have friends.

-So who am I going to answer - -- But also you were being -held against your will.

-- You are making asylum -as if it's a social event!

-- But, that's most -people's answer.

-!- You don't know the language, -you don't have any friends.

-That's why you didn't -seek asylum in Brazil?

-!They made me work in the salon -from morning to evening -- to night!

-- without feeding me -- Yes!

-!- without me talking to anybody -- Without me having -access to my documents -- Not even going outside -!And they even kept my passport.

-- It's called forced labor.

-- Period!

-- Yeah, period.

-- Because I was working -as a servant!

-Because I was a servant.

-In those two years, -!were you allowed to go outside?

-- No.

-- Short answer, done.

-Boom.

-- What!?

-- Boom.

-- I guess it's just a -question of like, -remembering that the -whole story matters, -!but it doesn't matter to them.

-You know, it matters to us.

-- KATE: Immigrant justice -isn't a question -of fighting for other people.

-It's really a question -of fighting for all of us.

-Whether or not all of us know -that we're going to need -those rights to be protected -in our future, -or our children's futures, -or our grandchildren's -futures.

-- I would hope that -if I were facing something -that was a threat -to my life or my -children's life, -that someone would help me.

-No one wants to leave -their home, their family, -their culture, -unless they really have to.

-And I don't think any of us -would either.

-- My wish is that Americans, -seeing refugees -and asylum seekers -not as a problem.

-Putting a narrative there -that all these people -who come in the country -are illegal, are criminals.

-It creates hate in the other -people's heart and, -and the more -they create fear in people, -the more I don't trust -my neighbor.

-Socially, it is -destroying community -than building community -You know, life is its a, -it's a learning journey.

-Yeah.

That's why I always -say, get to know people, -!visit them, share with them food -This is not your enemy.

-Is your neighbor.

-And so get -to know them, welcome them.

-And I know Vermont, -really are welcoming people.

-Hi everybody -- Hi!

-- You're most welcome and -I'm so grateful to -see you all and -I'm so grateful to be here -!to do all this with my brothers.

-Yeah, it's amazing.

-Yeah, I just lack words -to express how -much I'm so excited -For this is the first show -we're having in -the United States -!and it's happening in Vermont.

-Is this Vermont?

-- Yes!

Yeah!

-I'm so happy that -you're the first audience -to listen to the kind -of music that we play -We come from a country -called DRC Congo, -It's in Africa.

-in hard times you try -to pick up something cool -to keep yourself smiling -and that's why we do -all what we do.

-- DORA: Vermont itself -People in Vermont -are welcoming.

-They are more liberal.

-Yeah.

-So they know, really, that -anybody who comes here -is a new Vermonter -needs community.

-So for me, whenever -I meet a new person, -I always want to know -who the person is.

-And I always invite people -!learn how to know these people.

-!What do they have to teach us?

-It's always integration, -!I always say it's not one way, -its both ways.

-So if you know me, -and I know you, then yeah, -you have to teach me, -and I have to teach you and -what a relationship -is all about.

-- KATE: A borderless world, -I think, has to guide -our vision.

-We have to start -thinking about -!what is the most climatically -stable part of the world -and how can those -parts of the world -do everything they can to -welcome -as many people as possible?

-Vermont has seen -historic flooding -in the last couple of years.

-in the last couple of years.

-You know, -we are getting displaced.

-Our people, -are getting displaced.

-And so as people at the top, -of of the economic pyramid, -hoard, more and more -and more wealth, -and more and more resources, -and more and more safety, -and security -for themselves, -all of us stand to lose, -and all of us stand.

-to be the people in need, -the people who need to move, -you know, -the people who need, -to be allowed to move.

-And the need to cross -a border is a human need.

-It's a need of all life.

-And it's just patently -crazy that we have decided -that we can decide who -gets to save their own lives -and who doesn't.

-- Yeah, this color -is really nice... -Mm-hm -!- When I did the end like that, -If you are losing it, -nobody around that you can... -!You can easily get to loose it.

-That's why-- -Hey-y-y!

-There is a good news -!I said I will tell both of you!

-- Mm-hm?

-!- I don't know if it's good news -or it's something like -funny-good-news -- Yeah?

-- Yesterday I wake up -No, in the night-evening!

-!I see envelope.

Brown envelope -on my door.

-- What is in it?

-- I say, what is in -that envelope for?

-What is it for?

-!Now I'm done with immigration?!

-What is it, this letter for?

-!- You are done with immigration?

-Not yet!

-- Ah, okay -Because they give my paper, -!that's my certificate saying -- -- But working paper is -not asylum, my dear.

-- So, I open it, I say, Ah, -why, why, who's going -to send me this?

-!I see it's not immigration.

Ah!

-Vermont Adult Learning!

-!I see on the paper it was that.

-I open it -- Certificate?

-- "Congratulations for your -'citizenship learning' " -- I wish it could be like, -"Congratulations for you -!becoming an American citizen!"

-- Aww, that's what -I'm tellin you!

-I say, Ah!

What -this thing doing?

-!- It will come, it will come.

-- The certificate is like -when I finished hairdressing -- So - Let me ask you some -question they ask.

-How many states do we -have in the US?

-- How many states do we have?

-- Yeah -- Yeah.

52.

-- Isn't it 53?

-- DORA: She has this talent -of braiding hair -And I used to go to -Springfield, Mass -for hair.

-Drive one hour.

-Sat for hours, -and then come back.

-So it was really, like, -Easy for me -to have her around here -and then whenever, -!yeah, I wanna really do my hair, -she did.

Yeah.. -!- When I get home I will dry it -!- Oh!

I like your mix of color!

-Look at the way it looks.

-The colors -Beautiful -- What is 'Thank You' -n Ghana language?

-- Medaase -- Medaase?

-- Medaase -- Medaase -- Medaase -- Medaase -- For me she's really -like a sister.

-And I love her.

-And... -I'm happy and I hope that -this master hearing, -that she's having.

-Yeah I'm hopeful -that it will come really -successfully and -leave all the stress -and the trauma behind her.

-- Yes.

Dear God -we thank you this morning -for the gift of life.

-Thank you for this journey.

-Thank you for connecting -us with Sarah.

-I want you Lord to show -Sarah that you are with her, -and may her open her mouth -and you speak to the judge.

-May you bless them -when they go, -and when they come back.

-Lord, we want to hear -good news from this.

-You have been with Sarah from -the journey from day one.

-So.

And today, -you are the Lord that see -the end and the beginning.

-So we declare victory.

-We want to hear good news -when they come back.

-May you favor them.

-May you cover them.

-!May your protection be with them -Go ahead of them -and come back with them -with the good news.

-And in Jesus name.

-We pray and believe.

Amen.

-- This is when she finds out -If she'll be able to remain -in this country permanently.

-With an asylum grant.

-So, you know, -she's been waiting -about five, six years -for this moment.

-And, you know, -she's very nervous.

-All of us who work with her -are very nervous for her.

-And we're hopeful -that theyll grant.

-Amen.

-I can see you're -stressed out already.

-- Many, many people -with very meritorious claims -that exactly fit -the letter of the law -are not granted asylum.

-Many, many, many.

-For all the obstacles -that are baked into the process -And it's my hope -that Sarah's story, -I mean, it's my firm belief, -that Sarahs story, -is is what the system -was designed to protect.

-You know.

-She absolutely, -fled her country of origin -to escape persecution -based on membership -in particular social groups, -which is exactly what, -!you know, the asylum system is -designed to protect.

-!- So they're not going to ask -you these questions exactly -like they are.

-And it depends who -the DHS attroney is.

But -DHSs job is to find -holes in your story.

-To prove that, you know, -!you shouldn't be granted asylum, -or that, oh, -this story isn't true.

--Okay.

-!- KATE: You know, concerns are -that the system will work -as I believe -it was designed to work, -which is to exclude people -from safety.

-I hope that they grant her -the asylum that she deserves.

-- And I said No.

-- He said, "If you're gonna -!bring a curse on these Idols?"

-"I don't care if you die.

-I don't care."

-"You are little thing to me.

-I don't care if you die."

-!So that one thing that he means -to do whatever -Even if he kill me.

-He don't care.

-So that thing is in my mind -I was panicked to die -Feared to die -So that's why I said, NO!

-Nobody to help me, -So it depend me and God -How I can escape -!Something is telling my heart, -just run -Don't look back -!I wasn't look back, if somebody -is chasing me, -I just run.

-- So I'm here... -And I'm prepared for them.

-- How are you feeling?

-- I think today I'm... -Ok than a week ago -Or three days ago -My head is blossom -But now -!With you lovely ones around me?

-!I think, oh, that burden is gone -!Now I'm free, I'm okay, I'm okay -No panic, no fear -I feel like...

I'm going -for interview -Like a job interview, -or something -!They're gonna ask me questions, -I need to be answering.

-That's what I feel within me.

-!So my spirit is comfortable now, -not like before, -I used to feel, yeah, -not like yester-night!

-I was not thinking, -but the sleep is not coming!

-I asked myself, why these -eyes are not closing?

-But, I don't know, -maybe I'm thinking -what God has for me... -Why they put my court date -on the 14th?

-Why?

I ask myself.

Why?

-- Yeah!

It's Valentine's Day!

-- Maybe the Judge decided -to put it that way, -to show me love?!

-That's crazy!!

-!- The judge is proposing to you!

-- Do you want some water?

-- Thank you -- I hope -I hope so, yeah