Growing Old in a New World

As a Senior Program Manager with CRIS, part of my job is to help elderly refugees who resettle in the United States become U.S. citizens. This includes teaching fellow case managers and volunteers about the naturalization test, matching tutors with refugees who need assistance, providing study materials and reaching out to refugees who are eligible for citizenship.For elderly refugees, access to public cash assistance is often the most vital benefit of becoming a citizen, as many rely on monthly Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to pay for basic needs. Elderly refugees are typically unable to work due to health problems and limited English, and their family members are often unable to provide sufficient financial and emotional support.Under current federal law, refugees who do not obtain citizenship within seven years of living in the U.S. are no longer eligible for SSI and of his public benefits, so it is crucial that we assist them and let them know about the importance of naturalization.It is also critical that guidance is available to help refugees prepare to pass the citizenship test. In that regard, CRIS is focusing on widespread outreach particularly to elderly refugees from Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Bhutan, and Iraq.Refugees who fled the civil war from Somalia in 1990’s make up the largest group using CRIS' citizenship services in Franklin County. Many of them are now over 60 years old and know very little or no English. Not long ago I had the opportunity to work closely with a 72-year-old Somali refugee, Ahmed.Initially, Ahmed had little confidence and no formal educational background that he could pass the naturalization test. We studied together twice weekly for two months, doing mock interviews, practicing sentence dictation and reviewing American history and civics questions that are asked at random during the test. Even with practice, Ahmed remained nervous and spoke of study plans for a re-take of the test.  During our discussions Ahmed repeatedly tells me that America is heaven for the young and hell for the old. America has all these products that cater to children: toys, movies, video games, theme parks. For the old there's only isolation and loneliness.However, with the help of CRIS case managers Ahmed was able to pass his naturalization test and the biggest impact in his life is that, he now teaches his Somali folks to pass the test. He is now a role model. On the afternoon following his naturalization interview, Ahmed stopped by CRIS' North office with great news: he had passed the test! A huge celebratory cake in hand and a wide grin on his face, he offered his thanks and gave me a hug. Two months later, Ahmed helped his friend pass the test. Ahmed is now very proud to be an American citizen and he encourages his refugee friends to do the same.While Ahmed’s success story was a huge relief for him and his family, the challenging circumstances of his experience are not uncommon; it has been difficult for several of his elderly refugees CRIS assists to pass the test. Some refugees who receive disability waivers are allowed to take a much simpler version of the test -- and usually they pass and become naturalized -- but many of these with no waiver are left to struggle.Aside from the general difficulties of retaining new information as they age, many elderly refugees also suffer from severe Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. This can add even greater stress to high-pressure situations. Some refugees who received extensive tutoring still became overwhelmed with anxiety during citizenship interviews, causing them to forget or mix up the dates and detailed historical facts they learned in tutoring sessions.Mr. Ahmed has been working at CRIS since 2006 and, like the refugees he helps, lived in the world’s largest refugee camp called Dadaab in Kenya.  Mr. Ahmed is now the Senior Program Manager at CRIS, helping older adults remain independent and participate in the opportunities of the mainstream.  Mr. Ahmed also founded the only Somali radio program in Ohio through WCRS FM’s Simply Living and volunteers as a co-host of the program.