The Untold History of Yemeni Americans
The history of the United States is endowed by the contributions of immigrants and their descendants who, like Yemeni Americans enrich our ethnic and cultural mosaic. The social fabric of our strong nation is composed of the common people who have come from marginalized places. Yemeni migration patterns to the United States are no different than other waves of immigration. Whether trying to escape war, drought, poverty, persecution, or to seek better financial, and educational opportunities for their family; the reasons for leaving behind one’s home country is always a heart-wrenching though, necessary decision. Unlike other immigrant communities, including other Arab and/or Muslim immigrants, Yemenis have been deprived of their narrative, absent from history books and research, silenced and demonized by the media, as well as US governmental policies and laws.
The Wave of Yemeni Immigrant Contributions to the US Workforce
Yemen migration in America is unique because early migration waves were made up of mostly adult males of working age. The earliest recorded history of Yemenis coming to America was in 1890. Others were naturalized after serving in WWI and WWII. Most found their way to Yemeni migrant communities in New York, Michigan, and California. Drawn to work in the auto, steel, and farm industry, Yemenis usually settled in areas where other Yemeni or Arab communities lived. The jobs that immigrants often took were ones that required very little understanding and speaking of the English language. These jobs often consisted of hard physical labor for little pay and benefits. Because of this language barrier, they were ignorant of their rights as workers. Not to mention, the fact that most of these jobs were reserved for migrant workers only, many workers were victims to harsh conditions, abuse, and unfair practices.
Yemen migration in America is unique because early migration waves were made up of mostly adult males of working age. The earliest recorded history of Yemenis coming to America was in 1890. Others were naturalized after serving in WWI and WWII. Most found their way to Yemeni migrant communities in New York, Michigan, and California. Drawn to work in the auto, steel, and farm industry, Yemenis usually settled in areas where other Yemeni or Arab communities lived. The jobs that immigrants often took were ones that required very little understanding and speaking of the English language. These jobs often consisted of hard physical labor for little pay and benefits. Because of this language barrier, they were ignorant of their rights as workers. Not to mention, the fact that most of these jobs were reserved for migrant workers only, many workers were victims to harsh conditions, abuse, and unfair practices.
A Social Justice Award was issued in his name from the Orange County Democratic group. Yemeni, Nicaraguan, and Chinese janitors draw on him for inspiration when they unionized with the Service Employees International Union. More recently, New York City store owners, who joined in solidarity at the “Bodega Strike” at Brooklyn’s Borough Hall, looked to figures like DaifAllah to blaze a new path for themselves as advocates and agents of change.
The early approach of the Yemeni migrant worker, like other immigrant workers from Ireland, Mexico, and Germany, was to make enough money to support themselves and their families back home. Not until the 1970s, due to political upheaval and a dangerous insurgency, did Yemeni women and their children began to join their husbands and fathers in the states. Since then, Yemeni Americans have strived to contribute to our great society. Whether it be entrepreneurship, work ethic, resilience, and culture; and blending it with their newfound home, Yemeni immigrants bring a sense of pride and unity with them everywhere they settle.
Historically autonomous, Yemenis tend to pay homage to their heritage by vehemently holding on to traits associated with their ancestors: hard work, independence, hospitality and generosity. Visit any Yemeni-American community and you’ll witness senior citizens still working, young children taking on adult responsibilities, like grocery shopping, helping their siblings and parents with school work. Women carrying pots of hot food and beverages to share with neighbors and the willingness and openness to tell of their struggles and stories.
From Yemeni-Americans like Dr. Rashid Abdu, who established a comprehensive breast cancer care center at St. Elizabeth Health Center in Ohio to scientist Abdo Najy, who contracted polio in Yemen in the middle of the outbreak who is now part of a research initiative to find a cure for breast and prostate cancer after contracting Polio during an epidemic in Yemen, to Dr. Debbie Almontaser, who works tirelessly to bring a voice to the Yemeni, Arab, and Muslim communities through the founding of the Khalil Gibran International Academy, advocacy, cultural bridge building programs, and organizing others to push for policy change that will bring justice and humanity to not just Yemenis, but other marginalized communities in America.
Plight of Yemeni Americans and Their Family Members in 2018
The United Nations has declared that the impact of the silent war in Yemen has resulted in the world’s worst man-made humanitarian crisis.The United Nations has declared that the impact of the silent war in Yemen has resulted in the world’s worst man-made humanitarian crisis. Before the combined missile strikes from Saudi Arabia and its allies, Yemen was always in need of humanitarian aid, and now with the attacks that seem to carry on, on a daily basis the people of Yemen are in the worst and absolute critical condition. With malnutrition, viral diseases, lack of resources, thousands of Yemeni men, women, children, and elderly are dying of treatable illnesses. Yemen, the country that is hospitable to its neighbors, and visitors is now the country that is turning to a graveyard, where a father or mother, or child is forced to bury their loved ones, are forced to accept that they may not survive another night and are on continuous fear of attacks from other countries and ground soldiers.Yemen has been in the news for the wrong reasons, travel ban that has prevented innocent Yemeni people from escaping the war, famine, and disease and left them stranded in countries that cannot help them. It’s been on the news for having the worst Cholera crisis in history, a treatable disease that with help and resources can save tens of thousands of lives.The Yemeni perspective, especially that of Yemeni-Americans, is absent from most stories on immigration, civil rights, and even Yemen. The Yemeni perspective, especially that of Yemeni-Americans, is absent from most stories on immigration, civil rights, and even Yemen.
The Muslim Ban has in effect wrongfully denied visas to families of US citizens fleeing war who are currently trapped in unfamiliar temporary countries waiting to be reunited with their relatives in America. Wives have been separated from their husbands leaving children and mothers trapped in places like Malaysia, Egypt and Djibouti because the United States since the US Embassy in Yemen closed in 2015. They can’t return to a home ravaged by a US-aided war and can’t afford to await uncertainty or denials in a foreign land. Yemeni lives are effectively in purgatory. Those fortunate enough to have made it to America live with the fear and anxiety of never seeing their loved ones again.
The Muslim Ban further punishes Yemenis and their American citizen loved ones by separating families and leaving others trapped with no recourse. Those trapped in foreign countries awaiting a waiver to circumvent the ban are taking every legal route to reunite with their families. The ban has a real human cost, creating inhumane hardships on families, children, aging parents, and even siblings separated from their families, some waiting for years, and spending thousands to be reunited with family
A father waiting for his wife and children has to leave the US to join them in Djibouti as they await their appointment at the US Embassy. The youngest child has a US passport while the wife and other children need visas that would have been approved prior to the ban. Does he send his family back to war? Should he bring some children and leave others with their mother in a foreign country only equipped to provide safe haven temporarily? A tiny one-bedroom apartment in Djibouti with no air conditioning (temperatures often exceeding 105 degrees Fahrenheit) goes for $926 USD if one is lucky. With basic utility costs exceeding what most families can afford, these temporary countries aren’t long term solutions for the problem.
Bringing the undeserved plight of hard working, patriotic Yemeni-Americans to center stage is one of many steps in rescuing our narrative as we strive to bring the real face of Yemeni-Americans to light.Our stories are told by non-Yemenis and this exhibit seeks to take back our legacy, our story, and unveil the real face of the Yemeni-American: the teacher, neighbor, shopkeeper, entrepreneur, engineer, scientist, mother, dreamer, activist, athlete, friend and doctor.
It’s time to hear our story, to reclaim our account and dispel the many negative views, stereotypes and inaccuracies impacting our lives as Yemeni-American citizens, especially how the Yemeni-American community has been targeted by unjust laws like the Muslim Ban. Our aim is to tell our story, highlight our contributions, give a voice to the voiceless, empower our youth and mobilize to serve our country by ensuring that our founding fathers’ legacy of liberty and justice for all is truly for all people of this great nation.
REFRENCES
Staub, Shalom. Yemenis in New York City: The Folklore of Ethnicity. Philadelphia: Balch Institute Press, 1989
Friedlander, Jonathan, ed. Sojourners and Settlers: The Yemeni Immigrant Experience, Salt Lake City, University of Utah Press, 1988
Yemen Webdate, American Institute for Yemeni Studies (AIYS) Blog
Abraham, Sameer Y., and Abraham Nabeel, 1982. Arabs in the New World: Studies on Arab-American Communities. Detroit, MI: Wayne State University Center for Urban Studies
Bisharat, Mary. 1975. “Yemeni Migrant Workers in California.” Arabs in America; Myths and Realities, 202-9
Bisharat, Mary. 1982. “Yemenis Abroad: A Study of Farmworkers in California.” California State University, Sacramento.