6 days ago
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FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) - As the conversation astir migration intensifies, a Fresno-based histrion says helium is grateful to beryllium allowed to enactment successful the United States aft the agelong ineligible process that brought him and his household here.
Khetphet Phagnasay, a Clovis High School postgraduate and histrion champion known for his roles successful shows similar Dahmer and Interview with a Vampire, precocious opened up astir his puerility flight from Laos.
“This state has fixed maine truthful galore opportunities,” Phagnasay said. “If I screw up, that’s connected me. If I’m successful, I’m blessed. But I besides privation to contribute.”
Born successful a tiny Laotian village, Phagnasay vividly remembers the travel opening erstwhile helium was conscionable six years old.
In a caller blog station titled "My Refugee Journey: A Legal Path to America," helium retraced each measurement of the process, detailing however his household reported to Thai police, endured interviews, and were held successful detention centers earlier being transferred to Thailand, the Philippines and yet the U.S.
Throughout the ordeal, Phagnasay says his parents were meticulous astir keeping each their documents safe, taping them cautiously to sphere them during travel.
That documentation, on with years of interviews and processing, helped the household legally settee successful the U.S. and yet helped Phahnasay summation citizenship.
Phagnasay says the crushed he’s telling his communicative present isn’t to dwell connected the past, but to connection anticipation to others.
“I’m not a victim, I’m a survivor,” helium said. “You’re a survivor. You crossed miles to get here, present what are you going to bash with it? That’s the question. Everybody has their ain answer.”
Phagnasay hopes his reflections punctual radical that not each exile stories are the same; some, similar his, unfold "step by step, insubstantial by paper, assignment by appointment."
"I'm not a victim, I'm a survivor. You're a survivor: you crossed X magnitude of miles and you survive. What are you going to bash with it? That's the question, and everybody has their ain answer."
