Addressing Anti-Immigrant Bias with "Welcome to the New World"

GRADE LEVEL: Middle School

Overview

This graphic novel, Welcome to the New World, tells the story of the Aldabaan family. After escaping a Syrian prison, Ibrahim Aldabaan and his family fled the country to seek protection in the U.S. Resettled in Connecticut with little English, few friends, and even less money, the family of seven strive to create something like home. As a blur of language classes, job-training programs, and the fearsome first days of high school give way to normalcy, the Aldabaans are lulled into a sense of security. A white van cruising slowly past the house prompts some unease, which erupts into full terror when the family receives a death threat and is forced to flee and start all over yet again. The U.S. in which the Aldabaans must make their way is by turns kind and ignorant, generous and cruel, uplifting and heartbreaking.

In this activity, students will: 

• Build knowledge of the refugee experience.
• Identify manifestations of anti-immigrant bias through the events of Welcome to the New World and build their capacity to counter anti-immigrant bias.
• Recognize the importance of learning and sharing many stories of migration.