Original subtitles

Are you ready to continue, Mr Petrosyan?

Counselor Whitlow

I'll repeat the question

Mr Petrosyan,

were you or your family

ever victims of direct acts of violence?

Oh, no

Ohanna, help

Oh, no

No

Grigor, what happened?

Someone decorated my window with a brick

Are you okay?

Yes, I'm okay

Did you see who did it?

Local teens

Did you call the police?

Police don't care what happen to us

I'm sorry my friend

It's okay

No one was hurt

That's all that matters

Go home to your family

Tell my wife I'll be late for dinner,

but please, don't tell her why

No, no, no

I will stay here until we finish,

and then will walk you home

Okay Thank you

-Thank you -Of course

Okay, here

Can we have dolma for dinner?

It's your sister's night to pick

But she likes it too

She can tell me herself

-Bye -Oh, Principal Petrosyan,

please , this record needs your signature

-Can it wait until tomorrow? -I'm afraid not

Come on, Mom Let's go home I'm hungry

Thank you

The cat--

Sound this word out slowly

What sound does each letter make?

Climbed

-Climbed? -That's right Good

Mama

Yes

Hello

Her reading comprehension is coming along day by day

Oh, I'm so proud of you

-I'll see you tomorrow before school? -Yes

Good work today

Thank you for your help

Oh, it's my pleasure

-I know you studied, correct? -Yes, I did a lot, actually

-How'd you feel about that? -Good

Let's go get dolma

Yay Dolma

-See? -Did you tell her to say that?

Of course not

I miss dolma too

Mom, why does their signs say that?

What does the signs say?

-They say-- -Julia, we're leaving now

Mr and Mrs Sarkisian, what's with all the luggage?

We're leaving for Moscow

I didn't know you had family in Moscow

We don't, but it's safer there for all Armenians

Every few years or so,

Azerbaijanis and Armenians have a flare-up and things come right back down

This time, it feels different

Russia will not allow anything to happen

Open your eyes

The Soviet Union is crumbling

Russia has no resources left to protect us

We can't just leave This is our home

Is it?

Who wants to help prep the grape leaves?

-Me -Yes, and the minced meat?

No, it's not me

Why did the people in the streets have those signs today?

Don't you worry about that

What signs?

There were people in the streets with signs that scared Mama

Mama wasn't scared

Sometimes people say and write things they don't really mean

It's about war, isn't it?

-What war? -It's not a war

Yes, it is They talked about it in class today

Julia, watch your tone

There is a small conflict going on in the mountains right now

What are they fighting about?

A piece of land

that both Armenians and Azerbaijanis each claim as their own,

but this has been going on for many, many years, off and on

It's nothing new

Aren't you Armenians and Azerbaijanis?

Yes, that's right, sweetheart

Then whose side are we on?

We're on no one's side

We are Armenians in our blood, but Azerbaijan is our home

We have Armenians in our blood?

--No, what Mama meant

is that our families came from Armenia many, many years ago

before Mama and I were born

Oh

That's enough questions for now

Time for baths

No stalling

Let's go

Okay Good night

-Bye -Good night

-Are you going to tuck us in? -Of course I'll be right there

Are you going to tell me what those signs said?

"Death to Armenians"

Really?

I know,

but we've seen this before,

We can't just run and hide

every time there's a flare-up in the mountains

Someone vandalized Grigor's store today

My goodness

Was he hurt?

No

Fortunately

Russia said they would send troops

to protect Armenian neighborhoods if tensions worsen

Do you really think Russia is going to come save us?

I believe in Russia

I believe in the solidarity of the Soviet Union

and I believe in the Communist Party

We are brothers and sisters We do not fight amongst ourselves

Except when we do

What do you believe in, Ivan?

I believe in music

Seriously?

Seriously

I believe in you and the girls,

and I believe in love

Baby, have a good session, okay?

-Mrs Petrosyan -Hmm?

We cannot take Olga today

Why?

I'm sorry

What do you mean you can't take her?

Some men came by yesterday evening

asking for the names of all the Armenian children

What?

I'm sorry, but if Olga stays here, we cannot guarantee her safety

You're joking

I wish I was

They're just children

Mrs-- you have to go

We can't have any of you here anymore

Come on

Mom, you're hurting my hand

Sorry, baby

Where are we going?

You're going to spend the day with Mama

Yay

Have a good day, okay?

-Bye -Bye

You should go to my office

Those attendance records that I signed last night,

can I see them?

Someone came by and picked them up

Who?

I can't say

You can't or you won't?

I wasn't here I saw nothing

Why don't you draw a nice picture for Mommy, okay?

-Okay -There we go

Baku Research Center

Hi, this is Violetta Petrosyan

Has my husband Ivan arrived yet?

One moment

-Violetta -Ivan

What's wrong?

Would it be possible for the girls and I

to come and meet you at your office and then go to Papa's house together?

Are you all right?

I'm fine, yes, we're all fine

Your tone tells me otherwise

We'll meet you this afternoon, right after school, okay?

-Okay -Bye now

♪ Happy birthday to you, ♪

♪ Happy birthday to you, ♪

♪ Happy birthday, dear, Yuri, ♪

-♪ Happy birthday to you ♪ -♪ -to me ♪

My father used to always tell me on days like today,

"We live in exile,

and it's your duty to remember where you're from

and to your children

who've never seen the snow on Mount Ararat

Remind them"

I'm Armenian

in my heart, my soul, my blood,

and I'm proud of it

I've never seen the snow on Mount Ararat,

but what have I seen?

The morning sun

shimmering off the Caspian Sea,

spring afternoons,

,

and the old city,

This is my city too

These Azerbaijani nationalists think it's only for them

I've sold tea and newspapers, and Prima cigarettes to them

for 50 years

The city is the only home I've ever known

To Baku

To Baku

To Baku

♪ Sitting in an open window, ♪

♪ And a songbird landed near, ♪

♪ It was sweetly singing, ♪

♪ Country, country home forever be ♪

♪ Country, country, home forever, ♪

♪ With the sky-- ♪

You're okay, Mama?

Your father and I are thinking

of going to my cousin Yana's place in Volgograd, Russia

just until the things settle down around here

That's why he was extra moody tonight

The invitation is open

Even if we wanted to,

there's not enough space at Yana's place for all of us

I know She knows of an empty apartment nearby

Mama, we're not leaving

It's getting more dangerous out there by the day

You and Ivan need to think of the girls

I love my job, Ivan loves his, and Baku is our home

We can just quit our jobs and leave everything behind

It's just temporary

Yana's phone number in Volgograd, should you change your mind

You worry yourself sick over everything all the time

The world is changing all around you,

yet you fail to see it

We won't need this, and you don't need to go to Russia either

No government, no political party, and no friends

are ever going to look out for you like your family

Take it

Mama

Why don't you and Ivan head back before it gets too late?

Just get them to bed Get them straight to bed

Okay

That's a good idea

-Papa? -Yes?

What's that sound?

I'm not sure, my angel

I will find out, okay?

No

Help

Ohanna?

Ohanna?

Help

Oh, no

Ohanna, help

Help Ohanna, help

-What is going on? -Oh, help

-I don't know -Help

-No, no -Shh, and keep quiet

- Nobody make a sound - Help

Help

No

Help

No, no, stay away from the windows

Stay away from the windows

-Why? -Do as I say

-Shh, shh, shh, shh -No

Oh, help

It's Grigor the noise

--No

No

No Please Please No

What do we do?

Shh, shh, shh, shh

No, no, no, please listen, listen,

no matter what happens, no matter what you hear,

nobody makes a sound All right

Do you understand?

Do you understand?

Shh, shh, shh

Open up

Ivan and Violet Petrosyan,

open the door

You're looking for the Petrosyans?

They left for Moscow last week

When they return, so will we

We have to leave here now

-Did you put my monkey in the bags? -No, just your clothes

-Did you, Papa? -No, my angel, I forgot

We have to go back and get it

Shh

Get down Get down

It's not safe to go back now,

but I promise, when we get back from our trip,

your monkey will be there, okay?

I want him to go on a trip with us

I know, my angel, but I promise you'll see him again

We have to move quickly

Let's go

I assume you've been briefed by your lawyer

about the process that will take place today

This is not a criminal trial

However, you did break United States law

by willfully choosing to skip your return flight back to Moscow

-and overstay your tourist visa -We did not mean to break the law

We applied for asylum

You will not interrupt when I'm speaking

Do you understand?

We apologize for speaking out of turn, Your Honor

I'm sorry

I'm sorry What is this?

These are our congregation in West Virginia

They came to support, as I told you

- Please - Did you mention this?

All right Will someone please tell me what's going on?

Okay

Your Honor, these are friends,

supporters, character witnesses from the Petrosyan's church

Petrosyan

Sure Yes Petrosyan

These witnesses drove in from West Virginia this morning

Counselor Owens,

the defense failed

to submit any witness lists ahead of this case this morning

Therefore, the court cannot and will not hear

any testimonies from any character witnesses

for this case

I must say that two interruptions in one morning are more than enough

If anyone else would like to disrupt this court today,

I will gladly hold them in contempt

Understood, Your Honor

Today's hearing will decide

whether or not the court believes

there is justification to grant you asylum

Now, if you cannot prove to this court that you qualify for asylum,

then you will be deported back to Russia immediately

Do we understand what's at stake today?

My clients understand, Your Honor

Let's begin

I give the floor to Counselor Whitlow

Thank you, Your Honor

I would like to call Violetta Petrosyan to the stand first

Please raise your right hand

Do you solemnly swear

to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth,

-so help you God? -I do

You may sit, Ms Petrosyan

Good morning

According to documents received by the court,

you and your family fled Azerbaijan due to targeted ethnic violence

during the 1988 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

First, you went to Armenia

and then shortly after that, you landed in Volgograd, Russia

where you were permitted to live with refugee status

That is correct

Ivan's cousin invited us to Armenia,

but when we got there,

we were treated as foreigners because we were born in Azerbaijan

We do not speak Armenian

We could not find any work, so it became impossible to stay

Russia became your home after that?

I wouldn't call it home

You were given residency in Russia,

-correct? -Yes

Free to stay as long as you like for the rest of your life?

Yes

Why would you and Mr Petrosyan decide to leave a country

that welcomed you with open arms

only to apply for asylum in a brand new country

hoping this one would also welcome you with open arms?

We weren't exactly welcomed with open arms in Russia

Is this a pattern for you and your husband?

Do you like to take vacations to other countries

and then stay when you see

it's just a little bit better than the one that came before?

Of course not That is a lie

What's next?

Cayman Islands?

-Objection, your honor -Sustained

Counsel needs to tighten up her line of questioning

We may have been allowed to stay in Russia,

but we'll never have a real life there

Can you elaborate for the court?

I don't like this neighborhood

We won't be here forever

Ivan, how much further?

We're almost there

How did you find this place?

Your grandmother told us about it She knows someone who lives here

Why can't we live with Grandma?

Because they don't have the space for all of us

This building looks scary

It's not scary

We have nothing for you Go away

Yana sent us

Yana? She said you'll be here in the morning

Our bus was late, I'm sorry

Well, come in quickly

Come on, come on, you're letting the cold air in

Where's the bathroom?

Common, all toilets down the hall

Papa, where are the beds?

You'll get beds

We can't fit two beds in here

We'll figure it out

Is there no heat?

Yana's brother will come by tomorrow then work on it

You have blankets right there

How long we have to stay here?

We don't know, darling, but we're safe right now

That's what's important

I don't like this place

I want to go home

I miss my monkey

Come here

I know

this place doesn't look like much right now,

so we're going to make it cozy and beautiful just like our home, okay?

We're going to make it much better

Where are we going to sleep?

I'm going to make you a bed so we don't get our clothes dirty

I'm hungry

It's okay, baby, I brought some things

Okay, come on

♪ Sleep, daughter, sleep, ♪

♪ The moon above is shining ♪

♪ The Earth below is turning, ♪

♪ Just as my love ♪

♪ Sleep daughter, sleep ♪

You are Yana's brother?

Yes

-Hello -Hello

-I'm Ivan -Sasha

Feels like Siberia in here

We didn't realize there would be no heat

And no furniture

The main thing right now is the heat

Yes, the heat

It's always the heat

Should be fixed, the leak, and get connected to the waterline

I would've tried to fix it myself, but I had to leave my tools behind

No problem My tools, my job, my pleasure

Thank you

You wouldn't happen to know anyone around here who might be hiring?

What kind of work do you do?

I'm a rocket scientist

Oh, you're a comedian

No really, what kind of work do you do?

I'm a rocket scientist

I specialize in spacecraft propulsion

Serious?

I've worked at the space program, the Soviet Research Institute in Baku

My friend,

I'm afraid you won't find anything like that in Volgograd

I will do anything to take care of my family

All right I will ask around

Okay Thank you

You're welcome

Oh, do you know if there is a bakery or a market open at this hour?

Yes, it's just around the corner to the left,

and I am going to get my tools

Okay

If you need something to do,

I need you to go to the for this thing

-if it's only four of them -Okay, good

Yes? Thank you

Is this Violetta and Ivan's place?

Who's asking?

I'm a friend of your mother-in-law, Annette

Hello

I'm Ivan

--Vova

Annette said you might be short on some items for the apartment

Where should I put this?

Over there, I guess

Okay

I'll leave it right here

You are American?

My New York accent gave it away

I'm Duane Nice to meet you

I heard all about your family from your mother

We have some more boxes

That's right

We'll be back

The rest of the--

Do you know them?

-Hey -Hello

Oh

Grandma and Grandpa

I thought we'd never see you again

- Oh, woah - Look at you, my love

We'll help you set up in this apartment

-Don't worry -Girls, come with me,

we have more things outside

Here's something--

All right Here we go

-Another box for you -Thank you

These are my friends from church

Mommy, you go to a church?

We met them shortly after we arrive

They have been helping many of Armenian refugees

Duane's been visiting and volunteering for a while now

Why would you leave your home and come all the way to Volgograd, Russia?

Our church back in the States actually helped stock Vova's church,

and I wanted to make regular trips

To do what exactly?

Anything that I could do to be useful

We heard about your furniture situation,

so a few of us from the church will be stopping by later on

to help with that as well

What are you expecting in return?

-We don't have much to offer -No, no, no, we don't expect anything

We don't want anything

We're just really happy to be able to help you

I don't know what to say

Contrary to what you said earlier,

you were welcomed with open arms into Russia

You had a new apartment, new friends, relatives nearby,

and it sounds like home

We may have found some support through friends and family,

but we soon discovered

that everything else would be very difficult

Everything else?

The government may have allowed us to stay,

but the people of Russia did not accept us

I expected some level of racism towards Armenians in Russia,

but what we encountered was something beyond that

As far as looking for work, it was very difficult for us both

A bus driver?

Maintenance too, not just driving

I want to ride a bus too

Me too

Well, it's not free

You have to pay

You work with calculations, engineers, propulsion systems

You don't drive buses

Think of it

as a different kind of propulsion system

propelling people through the streets of Volgograd

Okay

How about you?

Did you get the interview at the school?

-Tomorrow -Good

It's not administration It's a teaching position

Very low pay

At least it's something

It's something

What are you drawing?

Ooh

Oh, I love it

I'm sorry,

could you run down to the store and get us a few more potatoes?

- Sure - Thank you

Do we need anything else?

-No -No

Hey,

everything's going to be okay

Great

How come she's not doing a cartwheel?

Hey

You Come on

Me?

What do you think you're doing around this neighborhood?

I live right here

Show us your papers

Papers?

So you're deaf and dumb, huh?

I don't have any papers

You're not White

You're not Black,

and you're not so Brown either,

so what are you?

I'm Armenian

from Azerbaijan

I just moved here with my family

We given refugee status

Armenian

There's too many of you stinking up our city

It's just temporary

until things calm down back home

Vadim,

would you like to show what happens to foreigners who don't have their papers?

Hey, hey, Dimitri

Vova

Stop It's okay

I know this man

Vova, you know this scum?

Ivan is a good man

He has family

Very, very, very good people

Please let him go

How can I take you for your word?

You are a hardworking officer, certainly you deserve something nice

On me

Please

Educate your Armenian friend here

about the dangers of not carrying his papers

Yes, of course

You're okay?

Do you know those guys?

Yes, my brother with Dimitri

The shorter one

He's lovely

Whenever you see him, go the other direction

-Noted -Please carry your papers at all times

He wouldn't be the only one to harass you

That goes for Violet too

I will let her know

Thank you

-Bye -Bye

Come by the church sometimes to say hello

Your mother-in-law has the address

I'll think about it

See you around, friend

Take care

Thank you, friend

Mrs Petrosyan, in here

I understand

you've had trouble finding work since you arrived in Russia

It has been more difficult than I expected

That's because no one likes to give a Russian job to a foreigner

unless we have to

In this case, we are understaffed, so we have to

I would be very grateful if you hired me

You are a Communist Party member?

My whole life

You'll start Monday, 7:00 AM

Thank you very much

Just because you are going to work here doesn't mean you are one of us

I'm sorry?

I need you to repeat something after me,

"I am quieter than water and lower than grass"

What?

If you want this job, I suggest you repeat after me right now

Okay

I am quieter than water-

I am quieter than water-

-and lower than grass

-and lower than grass

One more time

I'm quieter than water and lower than grass

One more time

I'm quieter than and lower than grass

Yes, you are

Recite this to yourself every day when you enter the doors of my school

because this is your place here

Get out of my office

We are all very sorry to hear that, Mrs Petrosyan

I can only imagine

what a difficult moment that must've been for you

I had never been so humiliated

How was the rest of your experience during your time teaching at that school?

I did as I was told

I never attempted to make friends

I just tried to maintain the distance

from the school director and rest of the faculty,

but I was always the target for humiliation

Why was that?

It was not only because I am Armenian,

but because I started to attend my mother's church in Volgograd

Despite being a Communist

-at the time? -Correct

I obviously had no interest in attending at first,

but I started to notice some positive changes in my mother's life

after she started going, and

she wasn't so worried about everything all the time anymore

She had this new sense of peace

despite our circumstances

I'm sorry, I don't know, I suppose I was looking for that too,

so we started to attend, myself, Julia, and Olga

The more I listened,

the more I changed the way I carried myself

Well, maybe you could give us an example

Jesus's teachings on the concept of forgiveness

When the faculty at the school would say or do mean things to me,

I would forgive them

and try to be even kinder to them the next time I saw them,

but unfortunately, this only made me stick out even more at the school

Your relationships at work were negatively affected

by the fact that you had started to develop this new faith?

Yes

One could even call it religious persecution

Did your husband, Ivan, attend this new church with you?

He wasn't interested in going

He was fine with us attending,

but he wouldn't let us go alone because Volgograd is not a very safe city

My challenge for you for this week is simply this,

love your neighbor

Who is your neighbor?

That's everyone you come in contact with,

no matter who they are

Yes, our world is divided

Nation fragmented, family torn apart

by opposing political ideologies,

but Romans 15 says

to accept one another as Christ has accepted us,

and John 13 says

to love one another as Christ loved us

If you can do that for me this week--

Papa

Oh, my angels

I guess they ran a little late in there today, huh?

Yes, but when are you going to join us?

No, no, I like it out here where I can see the door to the street,

keep an eye on things, make sure everyone is safe

Like the angels in the Bible

Ah, but unlike the angels in the Bible,

your papa is real

and he's right here in front of you

where you can see him physically and hug him

Do it

You too, do it

You know, there is a chair in the sanctuary

next to the girls'

with your name on it

Oh, thank you

This bench is comfortable enough for me

Then I will set it in the front row next Sunday

Nice try, my friend

Who's ready for lunch?

-Me -Me too

And me three

Okay, let's go

I'm sorry, Annette

I'm not going to be able to join you for lunch

My shift starts soon

Not even for a quick bite?

Well, if the pastor had finished his service on time,

maybe I can join you next time

-What? -It's true

-Okay Goodbye -Bye

-Bye, girls Have a great day -See you tonight

Goodbye, my love

Hello there?

Hello

Are you the Armenian?

Can you believe they let Armenians drive buses these days?

We hear you run from Azerbaijan

because the people weren't very nice there

Enough

Oh, he speaks

Yes, he speaks,

and he carries a hammer

Now leave me alone

Not while you're in my country

It might be your country,

but there is something you all seem to forget

Enlighten me before I cut you open

This world has been trying to eradicate Armenians for over 100 years

We have been stabbed

and shot

and burned alive,

dragged onto death marches

We survived a genocide,

and yet we are still standing,

but for some reason, you all seem to forget

that a man who has been driven from his home

and stripped of everything he has ever owned

and backed into a corner

has nothing left to lose

My question to you three is,

what do you have to lose today?

Lighten up, big boy

See you around

Is this going to be our life forever?

At worst, always looking over our shoulder

At best, always visitors, never neighbors

Will we ever be accepted anywhere

till we ever find home again?

The church accepts us

The church?

Listen to yourself

Forever it was your duty to communism

Now it's Christianity

You're always clinging to some other community out there

when you should be focused on your own family in here

All I do is think about the family

I degrade myself every single day at that school

so our family can have a chance at survival

I bring the girls to church so they can listen to stories of hope,

and I support you, my husband, no matter what you do and believe

So don't you ever, don't you ever question my duty to it

I am not questioning your duty to our family

I just don't want you to put all your hope

into some other cause that's just going to let you down again

Go in peace

and God be with you

What else can you fix

or your skill set is limited to door hinges?

No, I can fix many things

Plumbing, flooring, heating units?

With the right tools, yes

If you are going to continue to spend time here every week

without joining in our services,

you might as well get paid to be here

Paid?

What if we employed you part-time to give us a hand?

This building is very old

and it's a lot of things need fixing around here

Can I ask you a question?

Yes

You're Russian, correct?

Born and raised

Why are you so nice to us

when it seems no one else in this country wants us here?

Jesus was a refugee too

and He could also fix a lot of things

You accept my offer?

Yes, I accept your offer

What offer?

Ah, I'll let your husband explain

Dwayne is coming back in a couple of weeks with a team from the States

Maybe you can lead them on the maintenance projects around here

I would be happy to

Great

-Thank you -Thank you

Well?

Well,

it looks like I'm

the new part-time maintenance man for the church

-Really? -Yes That is wonderful

God bless, we could use the money

How are we doing on time, Ivan?

Soup's on the stove at home

Seems like someone gave over the message

I have just under 30 minutes before my shift starts

Okay So let's get you fed

I'm so hungry I could eat two last suppers

You found a job in education again and your husband found two jobs

Although, yes, I understand, they weren't in his typical line of work

Your children found a community at church

Is that correct?

Yes

That's wonderful

Earlier in the trial, your attorney said

that all of these individuals behind me are friends

Yes

It's a shame they can't testify on your behalf

It was really kind of them

to come all the way to DC for your hearing

They wanted to be here to support us

Is the church in West Virginia connected

-to your church back in Volgograd? -Yes

They helped start the church in Volgograd

and continue to make many trips out to volunteer

Is it fair to say

that the church in West Virginia financially supports

the church back in Volgograd?

Well, yes, they do

Would you say that communism was like a religion to you?

It used to be, but not anymore

Now that you've converted to Christianity?

Yes

I'm a Christian now

That's convenient, isn't it?

Now that you've left communism behind,

would you say that you're a capitalist as well?

No system is perfect,

but I can say, firsthand, that capitalism is a better option

But wasn't it your Jesus who said

that it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle

than for a rich man to get into heaven?

Mrs Petrosyan, it seems like you're just a bit all over the place

You move to Russia,

and you tell your new communist employers that you are also indeed a communist

Then you move your family to the United States,

and you convert to a religion

that seems, at least to me, to be a bit anti-capitalist,

despite your newfound acceptance of capitalism

From my perspective,

I am standing in front of a woman who doesn't seem to know herself

Someone who lacks conviction

Someone who will take whatever better path is in front of her

whenever she pleases

The difference between who I was and who I am now

is that I finally made a choice

I was born into communism

I was born an Armenian in Azerbaijan,

and both my country and communism failed me

They left my people to die in the streets

They left us without the chance to better our lives

I did not have a choice what I was born into,

but I chose Jesus, I chose Christianity, and I choose this country

When the United States government offers asylum and a path to citizenship,

it is usually because of one or two reasons

One, you and your family are in imminent danger of being killed,

or two,

you face religious persecution at such an insufferable rate

it becomes impossible to stay in your home country

It doesn't sound like you will be in any imminent danger

if you return to Russia,

and I don't believe you were ever seriously threatened

for your new found Christian beliefs

Maybe you were treated a little differently in the workplace,

experienced a bit of harassment,

but no one ever laid a hand on you

Just because no one laid a hand on me yet doesn't mean it won't happen

The threat is always there,

not just for me and my husband, but for our girls too

I can tell you as a parent

that that fear is the greatest threat of them all

My girls are safe here

They are happy

I can help them build a better life for themselves here

Do you understand?

Do you have children, Ms Whitlaw?

I'm not the one on the stand, Mrs Petrosyan

None of the evidence

that you've provided today convinces me

that your life in Russia would be any different

than your life here in America

With all due respect, Ms Whitlaw,

why don't you go put on a dark wig and dark eye contacts

and slap a dark tan on that light skin of yours,

and you go to Russia, and you tell me how you are treated?

No more questions, Your Honor

You may take your seat, Mrs Petrosyan

I'd like to call Ivan Petrosyan to the stand next

Please raise your right hand

Do you solemnly swear

to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth,

-so help you God? -Yes, I do

You may be seated, Mr Petrosyan

According to your wife's testimony,

you and your family experienced

certain levels of racism and harassment in Russia

Is that correct?

Yes, that's correct

People in every country experience racism and harassment,

including this one,

doesn't mean they should be granted asylum

every time things get a little bit difficult

I understand

Were you

or your family

ever victims of direct acts of Violence?

Mr Petrosyan?

Yes

Did you hear my question?

Yes

May I go to the bathroom, please?

Can it wait?

No, it can't wait

The court will take a five-minute recess

-Pops -Hello, my angels

Olga, can you put your coat on, please?

-Okay -Hello, darling

-Mm -How many spare rubles you have?

-Spare? None -Well, how many rubles do you have on you?

What for?

Don't worry It will be worth it

What are you doing?

Don't worry Help your mother Olga

Are you going to tell me what's going on?

-No Bye -Bye

Okay, look straight Look straight Don't peek

-What are you doing, Papa? -You'll see You'll see

Cover your eyes

Okay

Ready,

and open

- My monkey - Can you believe it?

He came all the way here just to be with you

Love you, monkey

I love you, monkey

Love you, Papa

Aw Okay

He took very good care of him

So let's pay him so we can show monkey our new home, huh?

Hello, my Armenian friend

I thought you said your stay in Volgograd was temporary

It is temporary just until things calm down back home

I don't like liars

I'm not lying

-Are you planning to buy that doll? -Of course

I have the money right here, and I have my papers

We don't need to see your papers

Did you steal that money?

Of course not

I have a job

Ah

So you took a job from a hardworking Russian

and put him and his family out into the street?

No

This is a donation for the hardworking families of Russia

Please, don't do this

We can arrest you for stealing

But I haven't stolen anything

You can't purchase that doll without any money,

so it seems you're planning to steal

Okay I understand

I'll put it back

-No, he's mine -We have to--

Sorry, my Angel

-We have to put him back -You promised

I know, my Angel I'm sorry Papa made a bad mistake

-Okay, please? Let go of the monkey -No

-Shut her up now or we will -Give me one sec

You have one second

-to get this shrilling rat out of here Okay

-I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry -before I stomp-

Go

I'll repeat the question, Mr Petrosyan

Were you or your family ever victims of direct acts of violence?

It's an easy question, Mr Petrosyan

Were you or your family ever shot with a gun?

No

-Stabbed? -No

Beaten?

No

Then you and your family were never victims

of direct acts of violence?

Somehow, by the grace of God, no

Okay

Your Honor,

I would like to speak with the Petrosyan's lawyer privately

I have an offer

10 minutes

I'm not sure but it could be a good thing

Doesn't mean she won't blow it up, but let's see

Okay, let's hear it

Mr and Mrs Petrosyan, I empathize with your plight

You may not believe me, but I do

That being said,

nothing I've heard in this courtroom convinces me

that you're going to qualify for asylum

I know this judge and he sticks to the letter of the law

I think you and your girls

are going to be on a plane back to Russia tomorrow

But I am willing to make you a deal,

a special status called withholding of removal

That means

there will be no more threat of deportation

But?

But it means no asylum,

no petition

to bring additional family members to this country

and no path to citizenship

It also means

that should circumstances change in Russia or Azerbaijan,

the United States government, at its sole discretion,

can send you back to either country

Do you understand?

Wait, what?

If we accept this offer

and then we settle into a new life here with new jobs and schools, a home,

you could just send us back whenever, even 5 or 10, 20 years from now?

If conditions improve in your home country

No, absolutely not That will not work

Violetta, listen

I represent more families than I can count right now

Some of them with conditions far worse than yours

I think you should consider it

No, absolutely not Right?

How can we be expected to build a life

when we don't know from one day to the next,

if tomorrow is the day we will be pulled from our homes

and sent right back?

From my perspective, this is a win for you

No, it isn't

I agree

We can't live with this level of uncertainty

If it is meant to be, the judge will grant us favor today

You're both making a mistake

Let's finish this hearing

Okay, then we're not done

See you on the stand

When the prodigal son returned home,

the father gave him a robe, a ring, and sandals

The robe stands for honor,

the ring for authority,

and the sandals were a reminder that he was a member of the family

That's what God wants to give us,

no matter where we are in life

The true emphasis in this story

is not on the prodigal son

and what he went through on his journey of coming home,

but the emphasis is instead on the Father

He wants us to come home

because he wants nothing more than just to be with us

-Hello? -Hi

Mr Dwayne, you don't have to do this

Good

It's what I'm here for

I don't understand you

Any of you actually

What do you mean?

You could be home or somewhere in comfort,

but you all decided to come here to Volgograd

to serve total strangers in the middle of nowhere

Yes, I suppose we could

Who are we to you?

No one is forcing you to be here

Well, I can't speak for the others

I was brought up in New York

It's where I grew up

Then I was given a scholarship to play football in West Virginia

Total fish out of water,

homesick all the time

When I was over there, I met this incredible woman, Charlotte

Whenever I was with her, it felt like home

Eventually, we got married

Happiest day of my life

The first time Charlotte got pregnant, she had a miscarriage

You think one miscarriage is enough to rip your heart out?

Try three more

I'm so sorry, my friend

They found a very aggressive form of ovarian cancer

Less than six months later, she was just gone

I raged at God for many years

I did many things

that I'm very, very ashamed of,

but one Sunday morning,

I stumbled into some church,

and the pastor,

he was preaching a sermon

about what a new life in Christ could look like

At the end of the service,

he said they were looking for volunteers

to help out with a new church they started in Russia

Every single time that I come back here,

that pain in my heart eases up just a little bit

I don't know if it'll ever go away,

but this is where I'm meant to be right now

Here

I'll help you finish my job

Let's get this done

Okay, keep them closed

Now I know this is not your monkey,

but open

I love him, Papa

Thank you

Opa

Aw

Yes, I understand

-It's complicated -Hey, can I ask you guys something?

What's that?

How would you like to come to West Virginia,

meet the church, share your story?

Come to America?

Yes

You, Ivan, and the girls

What do you mean, share our story?

If the folks back home could meet you,

learn about your journey,

see the impact that this place has had on you,

they'd see the benefits of their own financial support

I'm not very good at public speaking

Violetta can do all the speaking

Me?

What do you think?

So you were invited to America?

That's correct

So it wasn't a premeditated decision on your part

to just leave Russia behind and settle in the United States?

No, of course not

If I were to ask members of your church the same question,

would they give me the same answer under oath?

They're right there behind you

You should question them

They will tell you, we only packed our bags for one week

Hurry, we don't want to be late

Will we get to meet Mickey Mouse when we're in America?

-Not on this trip, My Angel -What about Michael Jordan?

I don't think Michael Jordan lives in West Virginia

-Oh, no -What?

I forgot my teddy bear

Oh, not again

-Are you serious? -We have to go back and get it

No, no, no All of you get inside the taxi

I will run back and get it We're not going through this again

-Make it quick -Go, go, go

Hey, looking for me?

You okay?

Here you go

Thank you, Papa

We should go

I became tired of running

It wasn't until we actually landed in America

that I began to wonder

what our lives could be like if we actually settled here

I just wanted my family to live in a place

where they could rest their heads at night in peace

Where we're not constantly looking over our shoulder,

always reminded that we will never be accepted

Mr Petrosyan,

when someone comes to the US and overstays their visa,

that is illegal

We only overstayed our visa because the asylum process took so long

You broke the law

Pure and simple

If we broke the law, we certainly didn't mean to

Whether you meant to or not,

breaking US law is not a great first step towards seeking asylum

My family has waited so long for this day to come,

to be in this room to share our story

Thank you for hearing us

No further questions, Your Honor

Mr Petrosyan, you can take your seat now

I'll allow the attorneys to present your closing arguments

We're behind schedule, so keep it brief

Counsel Owens, you're up

Thank you, Your Honor

I will not take up much of your time here

I believe the Petrosyans' testimony today speaks for itself

They have endured way more than any of us could ever imagine

They faced rejection in every new place they stopped

They were not accepted

They still face constant threat and insult back in Russia

Most importantly,

they have not known peace in a very long time,

the kind of peace

that all of us in this room just take for granted

All that Mr and Mrs Petrosyan are asking of us

is that we give them a chance

to finally settle into a place where they are accepted for who they are

A safe place

where they can raise their daughters without having to worry

about the dangers lurking around every corner,

sometimes literally

A life lived without constant fear should be the most basic human right

In light of that,

I ask the court to rule in their favor

and grant the Petrosyan family asylum today

Thank you

Counselor Whitlaw

Thank you, Your Honor

Mr and Mrs Petrosyan, I believe your story

I don't deny that they face challenges,

but the Petrosyan story has done very little

to prove

that they face imminent danger of life-threatening violence

if they return to Russia

To the contrary,

they have shown that they have an intimate community

of friends and family, and church members in Russia

Therefore,

I ask the court to deny this asylum claim today

Enough

No, it's okay

It's not okay

I've heard enough

Mr Petrosyan, please sit down, you had your chance to speak

Haven't you heard anything we've said here today?

How much will it take?

How much more must we endure for you to think it's enough?

Mr Petrosyan, please

It's in here all the time,

everyday voices saying, "Watch your back

You don't belong here Go home"

Where is home? Where is it?

Where is supposed to be home?

Okay, okay

We'll take a 15-minute recess,

and then I will come back and read my judgment

What if the judge denies us?

-We can't go back -I know

I refuse to bring our girls back to that place

It's out of our hands, Ivan

Why don't I give the two of you a minute?

-No, they deserve a good life -I know

We have to give them a chance

If it is meant to be, it'll be

If not,

we'll give them the best life we can offer them

I want them in the courtroom with us

-No, Violet We said Ivan, please

No matter what the judge decides,

we should be together as a family

Okay

If that's what you want

Do you guys want to go in the courtroom with us?

We're going to find out where

All rise

You may be seated

The court found this to be a very tough case

Counselor Whitlaw, you made a very strong case

I commend your work here

Mr and Mrs Petrosyan,

you've been through a great deal,

there is no denying it

I have to admit

I've seen a lot of people come through here

Some of them have experienced direct incomprehensible violence

Their very lives would be at stake

if they returned to their country of origin

I agree with Counselor Whitlaw that there are more egregious cases

That the Petrosyans clearly have a semblance of community back in Volgograd

just as they clearly have a community here

What I heard from you both, Mr and Mrs Petrosyan,

is utter exhaustion

It's that insidious nature of racism that's quiet but persistent and known

The daily suspicions,

the accumulation of tiny humiliations that are more menacing than anything else

It reminds me of that poem located at the base of the Statue of Liberty,

and it states,

"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses

yearning to breathe free

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore,

send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door"

It reminds us

we should strive to be a nation of freedom, enlightenment, and compassion

A democracy that gives hope to those who have lost all hope,

a land of refuge

but I found nothing in your case

that compelled me to believe

that you would be in great physical danger if you returned to Russia,

but I have to ask you,

and I ask everyone else in this courtroom today,

haven't they been through enough?

It is my privilege as a servant of this court

to be the first person to welcome you home

I hereby grant your family asylum

on the grounds of accumulated mistreatment