In 2012, the Center for the History of the New America (now the Center for Global Migration Studies) established the Archive of Immigrant Voices to collect stories of the experience of migration. The purpose of the archive is to create, accumulate, and preserve a repository of memories that will not only reveal living history and features of the recent past, but will also document the fine lines of social change that might be otherwise ignored or lost to history. These stories will provide the basis for understanding how newcomers adapt to challenges and successes.

The Archive unites the Center's mission to advance scholarship and teaching while enhancing the Center's connection to migrant communities by capturing, recording, and preserving the experience of migration, dislocation, and community formation as immigrants, asylum-seekers, refugees, and other newcomers themselves understood it. In addition to housing these oral interviews, the Archive also contains further information on the history of immigration, educator resources, and tools for conducting oral histories.

Interviews represent a way to capture and preserve the stories of recent immigrants to the United States as a source for scholars, a classroom tool for teachers, and a resource enabling immigrants themselves to share their experiences and memories. If you would like to donate your stories to the Archive, please contact us at globalmigration@umd.edu.

Featured Content

  • ItemOral Historycivil warcultural transition...5 more

    Interview with Lizzett Contreras

    This interview between Daniela Lopez and Lizzett Contreras explores Lizzett’s experiences growing up in El Salvador, her family dynamics, and the reasons behind their immigration to the United States. Contreras provides vivid insights into her childhood, education, and the challenges her family faced due to the political unrest in their home country.

    This interview was conducted as part of an undergraduate final project for the University of Maryland, College Park course HIST 465 (Spring 2024). This course was led by Professor Anne Rush of the Department of History, College of Arts and Humanities, and was sponsored by the Center for Global Migration Studies.
  • ItemOral HistoryChildrencivil war...4 more

    Interview of Jeannette Gasca

    This interview between Diego Plazas and Jeannette Gasca discusses Jeannette’s experience immigration from Columbia to the US in the 90s amidst a civil war. Jeannette talks about her career path and how she had to change careers due to the language barrier in the US. Jeannette also talks about life in Columbia when she was a child and what Columbia is like for her family still there now. Jeannette emphasizes the importance of education for everyone.

    This interview was conducted as part of an undergraduate final project for the University of Maryland, College Park course IMMR 400 (Spring 2022). This course was led by Professor Robert Chiles of the Department of History, College of Arts and Humanities, and was sponsored by the Center for Global Migration Studies.
  • ItemOral HistoryCOVIDfamily...4 more

    Interview of Stella Averbukh

    This interview between Elana Morris and Stella Averbukh explores Averbukh’s experiences as a Jewish refugee emigrating to the United States in 1992 from the Soviet Union. Averbukh discusses her first few months adjusting to American culture, as well as the jobs she and her family took to make money, including working at a movie theater and as a parking attendant. Averbukh’s interview recalls the experience of learning English as an introvert, the expectations she had of the United States before her emigration, the role of systemic antisemitism in the Soviet Union as an obstacle to success, and the sacrifices she and her parents made for future generations. During the interview, Stella’s (I believe) daughter was singing; listeners might be able to hear her voice in the background.

    This interview was conducted as part of an undergraduate final project for the University of Maryland, College Park course HIST 428M (Spring 2021). This course was led by Professor Anne Rush of the Department of History, College of Arts and Humanities, and was sponsored by the Center for Global Migration Studies.
  • ItemOral Historyacademiacrisis...4 more

    Interview with Lasitha Weerakoon

    This interview between Julian Torres and Lasitha Weerakoon details the journey of an academic from Sri Lanka to the United States. As a PhD student at the University of Maryland, College Park, Lasitha explains the intricacies of being able to come to the US from a foreign country as well as the inherent adversities that come with such a journey. Furthermore, the interview provides an anecdotal perspective of the ongoing crisis going on in Sri Lanka, and the implications this has had on the life of both Lasitha and his wife. As someone who has overcome such hurdles in his life, Lasitha’s story is one of persistence, optimism, and merit.

    This interview was conducted as part of an undergraduate final project for the University of Maryland, College Park course HIST 465 (Spring 2023). This course was led by Professor Anne Rush of the Department of History, College of Arts and Humanities, and was sponsored by the Center for Global Migration Studies.
  • ItemOral HistoryeducationEthiopia...5 more

    Interview with Amy N. (pseudonym)

    Through Amy's and Michael’s interview, we gain insight into the resilience of immigrant students that seek to escape danger and pursue a better life through education. Her story highlights the need for compassion in educational settings, for students that are fleeing difficult circumstances elsewhere. Through Amy's narrative, researchers can emphasize the importance of providing tailored support and essential resources for the triumph of immigrant students. Furthermore, her story serves as a catalyst, inspiring society to invest in the education and well-being of students, ensuring their successful integration into new communities in America. Amy’s journey serves as a compelling example of resilience, prompting a deeper understanding of the complexities faced by immigrant students and encouraging stakeholders to actively contribute to their flourishing.

    ***This interview transcript is restricted to the University of Maryland College Park's campus. For more information, contact the Center for Global Migration Studies (globalmigration@umd.edu).***

    This interview was conducted as part of an undergraduate final project for the University of Maryland, College Park course HIST465 (Spring 2023). This course was led by Professor Anne Rush of the Department of History, College of Arts and Humanities, and was sponsored by the Center for Global Migration Studies.
  • ItemOral Historyfamilyfriends...4 more

    Interview with Salome Mamatsashvili

    This interview is with Salome Mamatsashvili, who was a young immigrant from the Republic of Georgia. She immigrated here when she was six years old, a few years after both of her parents immigrated. She talks about her educational opportunities as well as general experiences she's gotten to have since being a U.S citizen and this interview is just a broad interview talking about her experience in the U.S.

    This interview was conducted as part of an undergraduate final project for the University of Maryland, College Park course HIST 465 (Spring 2023). This course was led by Professor Anne Rush of the Department of History, College of Arts and Humanities, and was sponsored by the Center for Global Migration Studies.
  • ItemOral HistoryBasquecivil war...4 more

    Interview with Juan Uriagereka

    This interview between Samantha Osborne and Juan Uriagereka explores Juan’s experiences as an immigrant from Basque, Spain. Juan immigrated to the US in 1984, pursing a PhD at the University of Connecticut. Juan describes his experiences of growing up in a rural community, as well as the difficulties of living in a marginalized community during the transition of power following the death of dictator Franco. Juan links all his experiences, both past and present, to a continued love of learning and education that was fostered from a young age by his parents. He emphasizes the importance of both teaching and learning, and how continued education is more than just reading books, but rather talking and listening.

    This interview was conducted as part of an undergraduate final project for the University of Maryland, College Park course HIST 465 (Spring 2023). This course was led by Professor Anne Rush of the Department of History, College of Arts and Humanities, and was sponsored by the Center for Global Migration Studies.

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