Between Borders (2024) Movie Script
1
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.
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.