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Journeys from There to Here
A famous writer exiled from Albania and Greece.
A Somali nomad-turned-multinational banker.
An Asian-born virtuoso violinist with perfect pitch, and many more . . .
In this eye-opening collection of immigrant trials, triumphs, and contributions, leading immigration lawyer Susan Cohen invites you to walk with her clients as they share their incredible journeys coming to America while overcoming unimaginable dangers and often heartbreaking obstacles abroad. Cohen masterfully uplifts marginalized voices, laying bare the remarkable realities of staggering hardships and inspiring resilience.
Sprinkled with amusing anecdotes, tense junctures, and heartwarming segments, you will sit front and center at the courtroom learning about US immigration policies and systems—which often become an immigrant’s greatest hurdle—while also discovering the ways unscrupulous American citizens take advantage of those not born in the States. As you ride the ups and downs and follow the zig-zagging twists and turns of their travails, you will discover the many ways immigrants from all over the world give back to their local communities and enrich the fabric of the nation. Finding yourself enmeshed in their stories, you will gain insight, grow in empathy, and come to understand what it truly takes to become an American citizen.
A Somali nomad-turned-multinational banker.
An Asian-born virtuoso violinist with perfect pitch, and many more . . .
In this eye-opening collection of immigrant trials, triumphs, and contributions, leading immigration lawyer Susan Cohen invites you to walk with her clients as they share their incredible journeys coming to America while overcoming unimaginable dangers and often heartbreaking obstacles abroad. Cohen masterfully uplifts marginalized voices, laying bare the remarkable realities of staggering hardships and inspiring resilience.
Sprinkled with amusing anecdotes, tense junctures, and heartwarming segments, you will sit front and center at the courtroom learning about US immigration policies and systems—which often become an immigrant’s greatest hurdle—while also discovering the ways unscrupulous American citizens take advantage of those not born in the States. As you ride the ups and downs and follow the zig-zagging twists and turns of their travails, you will discover the many ways immigrants from all over the world give back to their local communities and enrich the fabric of the nation. Finding yourself enmeshed in their stories, you will gain insight, grow in empathy, and come to understand what it truly takes to become an American citizen.
- GenresNonfictionEbooks
208 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 2, 2021
21 people are currently reading
1129 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 29, 2022
Oh, I struggled so much to finish this, and it's not even long. I was really looking forward to this book, and it's a genre I would normally speed through in a day or two, but it was nothing like what I was expecting.
Part political rant, part promotion of herself and her law firm, Cohen tells the story of 11 immigrants she has helped throughout her 3-decade career.
Trump is mentioned in this book 21 times. I didn't come here to hear about Trump; I came here to read the stories of immigrants to the U.S. Cohen complains about him and his immigration policies and yet, not once, do they ever pertain to any of the immigrants whose stories she shares in this book. In fact, one of the most harrowing bureaucratic screw ups (Samuel's story) happened during Obama's presidency. No blame was placed on Obama. Rightly so; it was not his fault. Similarly, rude immigration officers are not Trump's. Biden is praised for reversing many of Trump's policies. Conveniently, no mention of his border crisis is made.
Think about your audience for a second, Cohen. They either love to hate Trump, in which case, you nailed it with these people. Or they love Trump, and you lost them in the first chapter. For someone who promotes the humanity of immigrants and getting to know them and their stories, why would you alienate people who might actually be taking a step to learn more and become more tolerant? Or, like me, they are apolitical, and this experience just ruined the book for them. What would have actually been informative and beneficial is a chapter on immigration policies and how they have changed throughout your tenure.
Now, for the people she chose to write about...
1. Gazmend Kapllani, Ph.D. - Acclaimed author, received O-1 visa
2. Rana el Kaliouby, Ph.D. - CEO of Smart Eye, Author of Girl Decoded: A Scientist's Quest to Reclaim Our Humanity by Bringing Emotional Intelligence to Technology, received O-1 visa
3. Jamal Ali Hussein, MBA - Graduated from Harvard, extremely wealthy and successful businessman, currently writing a book about his life, granted political asylum
4. Helen Kim - Accomplished violinist, received O-1 visa
5. Nasir Osmani - Women's rights activist, received political asylum
6. Jacque Colon - Hard-working, single mother; received green card of behalf of her daughter, who is an American citizen
7. Peng - Peasant farmer, granted political asylum
8. Audrey Uwimana - granted political asylum
9. José Salgado, Ph.D. - Accomplished professor, received O-1 visa
10. Mariem Ayari - received VAWA green card
11. Samuel Bol - Brought to America as a refugee with nearly 4,000 other Lost Boys in 2001.
In 2015 (most recent data I could find), 13,865 O-1 visas were issued. Over 1.5 million immigrants settled in the U.S. in 2015. So, less than 1% of immigrants in 2015 obtained O-1 visas, and 36% of the people whose stories she chose to share in this book received an O-1 visa.
Not every immigrant is an acclaimed author, has a Ph.D. or is a CEO, and that is okay. Everyone should have a voice. This book missed a huge opportunity to give a voice to more people who haven't "made" it yet or simply don't have any extraordinary ability. You don't need to be extraordinary to be deserving of a green card. I wanted to hear more stories like Jacque's, Peng's and Samuel's.
For a book that is supposed to be about others, this was very self-serving and read more like a conceited memoir about rubbing shoulders with famous immigrants/an advertisement for her legal services. No doubt, she has done a lot of hard work, but the way it is represented is just not a good look. In fact, it would have been nice to hear about some cases she worked on that didn't work out in the end. Everyone has professional failures in addition to their accomplishments, and those people who had to go back to their war-torn or communist countries deserve to have their stories told too.
I received this book as a part of a giveaway, and this is my honest review.
Part political rant, part promotion of herself and her law firm, Cohen tells the story of 11 immigrants she has helped throughout her 3-decade career.
Trump is mentioned in this book 21 times. I didn't come here to hear about Trump; I came here to read the stories of immigrants to the U.S. Cohen complains about him and his immigration policies and yet, not once, do they ever pertain to any of the immigrants whose stories she shares in this book. In fact, one of the most harrowing bureaucratic screw ups (Samuel's story) happened during Obama's presidency. No blame was placed on Obama. Rightly so; it was not his fault. Similarly, rude immigration officers are not Trump's. Biden is praised for reversing many of Trump's policies. Conveniently, no mention of his border crisis is made.
Think about your audience for a second, Cohen. They either love to hate Trump, in which case, you nailed it with these people. Or they love Trump, and you lost them in the first chapter. For someone who promotes the humanity of immigrants and getting to know them and their stories, why would you alienate people who might actually be taking a step to learn more and become more tolerant? Or, like me, they are apolitical, and this experience just ruined the book for them. What would have actually been informative and beneficial is a chapter on immigration policies and how they have changed throughout your tenure.
Now, for the people she chose to write about...
1. Gazmend Kapllani, Ph.D. - Acclaimed author, received O-1 visa
2. Rana el Kaliouby, Ph.D. - CEO of Smart Eye, Author of Girl Decoded: A Scientist's Quest to Reclaim Our Humanity by Bringing Emotional Intelligence to Technology, received O-1 visa
3. Jamal Ali Hussein, MBA - Graduated from Harvard, extremely wealthy and successful businessman, currently writing a book about his life, granted political asylum
4. Helen Kim - Accomplished violinist, received O-1 visa
5. Nasir Osmani - Women's rights activist, received political asylum
6. Jacque Colon - Hard-working, single mother; received green card of behalf of her daughter, who is an American citizen
7. Peng - Peasant farmer, granted political asylum
8. Audrey Uwimana - granted political asylum
9. José Salgado, Ph.D. - Accomplished professor, received O-1 visa
10. Mariem Ayari - received VAWA green card
11. Samuel Bol - Brought to America as a refugee with nearly 4,000 other Lost Boys in 2001.
In 2015 (most recent data I could find), 13,865 O-1 visas were issued. Over 1.5 million immigrants settled in the U.S. in 2015. So, less than 1% of immigrants in 2015 obtained O-1 visas, and 36% of the people whose stories she chose to share in this book received an O-1 visa.
Not every immigrant is an acclaimed author, has a Ph.D. or is a CEO, and that is okay. Everyone should have a voice. This book missed a huge opportunity to give a voice to more people who haven't "made" it yet or simply don't have any extraordinary ability. You don't need to be extraordinary to be deserving of a green card. I wanted to hear more stories like Jacque's, Peng's and Samuel's.
For a book that is supposed to be about others, this was very self-serving and read more like a conceited memoir about rubbing shoulders with famous immigrants/an advertisement for her legal services. No doubt, she has done a lot of hard work, but the way it is represented is just not a good look. In fact, it would have been nice to hear about some cases she worked on that didn't work out in the end. Everyone has professional failures in addition to their accomplishments, and those people who had to go back to their war-torn or communist countries deserve to have their stories told too.
I received this book as a part of a giveaway, and this is my honest review.
January 26, 2022
As the daughter of one immigrant and the granddaughter of three, this book truly spoke to me. I know little of my paternal grandmother's immigration story, but things were different back in the 1940s. On my mother's side, however....
In the late 1960s, my mother and her parents lived a comfortable upper-middle class life in a coastal city in Northern Colombia. Opportunities were limited, however, and violence was on the rise. My abuela left her husband and daughter to come to the States and start the process to bring them north. She worked as a housekeeper, and my abuelo found a job as a janitor when he joined her in the early 1970s with their daughter. They left everything behind for an opportunity.
Yes, this book focuses on people with extraordinary experiences and abilities. Yes, it can be somewhat uncomfortably political. This cross-section of the population, however, serves to highlight the amazing contributions that immigrants can make in their communities, and how their experiences can motivate the next generation as well as those around them. Thank you for highlighting these personal stories, and thank you to the people who allowed them to be shared.
I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway, and am so thankful that I did.
In the late 1960s, my mother and her parents lived a comfortable upper-middle class life in a coastal city in Northern Colombia. Opportunities were limited, however, and violence was on the rise. My abuela left her husband and daughter to come to the States and start the process to bring them north. She worked as a housekeeper, and my abuelo found a job as a janitor when he joined her in the early 1970s with their daughter. They left everything behind for an opportunity.
Yes, this book focuses on people with extraordinary experiences and abilities. Yes, it can be somewhat uncomfortably political. This cross-section of the population, however, serves to highlight the amazing contributions that immigrants can make in their communities, and how their experiences can motivate the next generation as well as those around them. Thank you for highlighting these personal stories, and thank you to the people who allowed them to be shared.
I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway, and am so thankful that I did.
January 24, 2022
I wanted to like this book. However, like other reviewers mentioned, I expected it to be more about the immigrants’ stories than it is. I quit after about 20%. I wholeheartedly support immigration. I want to read uplifting stories about ordinary people. Instead this is a dense read about immigration law interspersed with quotations from immigrants about the process. It’s fine. It’s just not what I expected. I thought it would be more narratively written.
May 6, 2022
Totally biased
A carefully selected set of stories about immigrants that had a positive impact on American society. Ignoring all the bad things (rapes, assaults, murders) also done by immigrants. Also, in zero of the stories did her clients file for immigration from their home country. Also, some came here as “students” only to later need citizenship. I’m fine with immigration, just do things the correct way. Lastly, they claim that so many immigration lawyers abuse their position and do not provide adequate representation of their clients. No mention of turning them into the state bar or of any other actions taken to prevent this in the future.
The authors blamed a bunch of immigration issues on Trump that had been implemented and used by the previous administration but never honestly addressed that.
#GoodreadsGiveaway
A carefully selected set of stories about immigrants that had a positive impact on American society. Ignoring all the bad things (rapes, assaults, murders) also done by immigrants. Also, in zero of the stories did her clients file for immigration from their home country. Also, some came here as “students” only to later need citizenship. I’m fine with immigration, just do things the correct way. Lastly, they claim that so many immigration lawyers abuse their position and do not provide adequate representation of their clients. No mention of turning them into the state bar or of any other actions taken to prevent this in the future.
The authors blamed a bunch of immigration issues on Trump that had been implemented and used by the previous administration but never honestly addressed that.
#GoodreadsGiveaway
March 29, 2022
Disclaimer: I received this ebook from Goodreads giveaways in exchange for an honest review.
Way too much Trump bashing for my taste.
I wanted to read this book to hear the stories of people coming to America in search of a better way of life, not to hear about how the author felt about Donald Trump and how he is to blame for everything that is wrong with anything.
Way too much Trump bashing for my taste.
I wanted to read this book to hear the stories of people coming to America in search of a better way of life, not to hear about how the author felt about Donald Trump and how he is to blame for everything that is wrong with anything.
January 16, 2022
Nothing like I thought it would be. I thought it would be legit stories about folks journey's to America, their lives about their homelands, etc. Instead it is nothing but a political view about if immigrants should be allowed to stay in America (legally or illegally). We have rules and laws for a reason. Anyone can come here but do it legally.
February 20, 2022
If you hate Donald Trump, you'll love this book. I wasn't expecting a political statement, but rather an objective of.history. No objectivity here. I couldn't finish the book, my opinion is don't even start it .
March 25, 2025
Because immigrants and their rights are near and dear to my heart, I rounded this up from a 2 1/2. To say this was a disappointment is an understatement. With potential to make this something remarkable, the author seemed to focus more on the attributes of her firm than on the seriousness of the situations presented by these highly accomplished immigrants. This reader would have loved to see some attention given to those survivors with potential yet achieved. Not every immigrant is an acclaimed author, has a Ph.D. or is a CEO. This book missed the chance to give a voice to more people who haven't made it yet. One does not need to be extraordinary to be deserving of a green card.. For a book that is supposed to be about others, this seemed more self-serving and read more like a conceited memoir, rubbing shoulders with famous immigrants/an advertisement for her legal services. Just saying.
January 20, 2022
Political
When I started reading this book, I expected more personal stories rather than so much politics. I wanted more background, what life was like before deciding to immigrate. I realize, however, that the authors may not have had that information. They are attorneys first. This also explains the inclusion of politics that effected their clients. I enjoyed the stories. I found the politics repetitive and tedious, but I'm not much into politics. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys political books. I also recommend it to those who are interested in immigrants and immigration. In some places, I recommend taking notes.
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
When I started reading this book, I expected more personal stories rather than so much politics. I wanted more background, what life was like before deciding to immigrate. I realize, however, that the authors may not have had that information. They are attorneys first. This also explains the inclusion of politics that effected their clients. I enjoyed the stories. I found the politics repetitive and tedious, but I'm not much into politics. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys political books. I also recommend it to those who are interested in immigrants and immigration. In some places, I recommend taking notes.
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
February 26, 2022
**Give away book**
VERY educational and eye opening.
I enjoyed all of the stories and learning about the hardships that immigrants go through. Some of them were no fun to read because of the various unfortunate events and mistreatments each person had to go through. This being said the book was easy to read and no to Lawyery...lol
There are a couple stories that made me tear up so heads up on that.
There is some legal jargon that didn't really compute or some bigger/unfamiliar words I had to highlight on my kindle so it would define it for me. Otherwise very straightforward and easy to read each person's story.
VERY educational and eye opening.
I enjoyed all of the stories and learning about the hardships that immigrants go through. Some of them were no fun to read because of the various unfortunate events and mistreatments each person had to go through. This being said the book was easy to read and no to Lawyery...lol
There are a couple stories that made me tear up so heads up on that.
There is some legal jargon that didn't really compute or some bigger/unfamiliar words I had to highlight on my kindle so it would define it for me. Otherwise very straightforward and easy to read each person's story.
March 19, 2022
A Great Empathetic Read
PLEASE NOTE: I received a Kindle edition of this title from a GoodReads giveaway. The opinions in this review are my own and have not been influenced by any other person.
This book is a tremendous sampling of people that an immigration lawyer has served over many years. It indeed helps the reader to understand the challenges and obstacles many immigrants face as they seek to live legally in our country. I especially appreciate the call to action section at the end of the book. As a school librarian, I realize that this book would be a valuable addition to a high school library.
PLEASE NOTE: I received a Kindle edition of this title from a GoodReads giveaway. The opinions in this review are my own and have not been influenced by any other person.
This book is a tremendous sampling of people that an immigration lawyer has served over many years. It indeed helps the reader to understand the challenges and obstacles many immigrants face as they seek to live legally in our country. I especially appreciate the call to action section at the end of the book. As a school librarian, I realize that this book would be a valuable addition to a high school library.
April 8, 2022
The author is an immigration lawyer in Boston who writes about 11 of her immigrant clients. She describes their many accomplishments, their difficulties with immigrating to the US and the legal battles that she fought to allow them to stay in the US. The book is informative regarding such difficulties and for those of us living in the West, reminds us of the many freedoms that we take for granted.
While I respect what the author is trying to do, I did not enjoy the book or find the book engaging. I ended up skimming through most of it.
Thank you to the author and publisher for a complimentary copy of this book; my review is an honest one.
While I respect what the author is trying to do, I did not enjoy the book or find the book engaging. I ended up skimming through most of it.
Thank you to the author and publisher for a complimentary copy of this book; my review is an honest one.
November 24, 2021
I knew before reading this book the immigration process in the US was hard. Reading about it from someone on the frontlines was Wow! It is so much harder then I thought. I feel for everyone who has gone though or is going though the process. It makes me ashamed that these individuals come here to a place that is suppose to be the land of the free etc.. But in reality has it's own way of demoralizing and harming.
January 21, 2022
I enjoyed this book and the political tie ins. I think it’s important for people to gain an understanding of the reason some people vote the way they do. I liked the different perspectives of different immigrants. I also enjoyed the author’s narration. Even though there was a lot of legal discussion, I felt it was easy to follow.
June 1, 2022
*won in Goodreads giveaway*
As a child of immigrants, I get the message, but this was not engaging. The writing was just not for me. A lot of information was repeated over and over in different ways, and there is a lot of self promotion. I care more about the people in the stories then the lawyer.
As a child of immigrants, I get the message, but this was not engaging. The writing was just not for me. A lot of information was repeated over and over in different ways, and there is a lot of self promotion. I care more about the people in the stories then the lawyer.
June 17, 2022
Basically a novel length advertisement for Cohen's legal practice. Even in retelling the stories of these incredible people, she managed to make it about herself and the ways in which she personally contributed to their success. Got about halfway through and gave up.
December 16, 2022
I perhaps wish the stories were a bit more diverse but that's a ridiculous wish. Cohen does a fantastic job telling the stories of immigrants as well as highlighting issues in the immigration system and immigration politics.
Wherever you are on the political spectrum, this is good reading.
Wherever you are on the political spectrum, this is good reading.
January 3, 2024
Thought provoking
Enjoyed the short story's of each immigrant challenge and their strength to get to their goals. Very uplifting and eye opening involving struggles and triumphs through life.
Enjoyed the short story's of each immigrant challenge and their strength to get to their goals. Very uplifting and eye opening involving struggles and triumphs through life.
June 3, 2022
I enjoyed this book a lot. As other reviewers mentioned, it's not exactly a "collection of stories," it is more of a series of essays reminiscing on a career in immigration law (and some of the most remarkable people she represented). I found this very interesting and liked the book very much. If you're looking for a sappy patriotic book about how great the USA is and how amazing immigrants are and how amazing the USA is for them - this is not it. It's an insider's view of the system that reveals a lot of the injustice, cruelty, and bureaucratic indifference that is rotting the immigration process from the inside out. It also shows how that system can save the lives of people suffering in all sorts of circumstances in other countries. Overall, I found it balanced and enjoyable to read.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews