Immigration is currently a hot-button national issue, but many Americans know very little about the immigrants in their own communities.
Recently, Wilkes’ Sordoni Art Gallery hosted a screening of the WVIA film “Making NEPA Home.” WVIA is the PBS and NPR affiliate for Northeastern Pennsylvania.
“Making NEPA Home” covers the experiences of immigrants and refugees in the region. The hour-long documentary premiered on Oct. 16 on the PBS station WVIA-TV. WVIA NEWS notes that “Making NEPA Home” is part of the station’s We Stand Against Hate programming, which “shines a light on stories of resilience, unity and cultural diversity.” The We Stand Against Hate initiative began with the special program “Holocaust Warnings: American Antisemitism and Extremism” that first aired in July 2023.
Filmmaker Kara Washington directed and produced “Making NEPA Home.” Washington serves as WVIA’s promotions coordinator.
“Making NEPA Home” focuses on four refugees in particular: Taras and Kateryna from Ukraine, Mwefu from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Josué from the Dominican Republic. When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Taras and Kateryna and their children left their Kyiv home. After the Congolese civil war, Mwefu spent two decades in African refugee camps. Josué made a dangerous journey across land and sea to escape police corruption. Each interviewee discussed the hardships of learning English and leaving their families behind.
All said that they felt safe living in the United States.
The documentary also featured local aid organizations. When the Trump administration cut federal funding to nonprofits nationwide, the groups suffered heavy financial losses. Volunteers explained why their work is so important. They teach English classes, provide free legal assistance, and generally help immigrants enter American society.
“Making NEPA Home” refutes the myth that immigrants are lazy or criminal. Taras and Kateryna, Mwefu, and Josué all shared their hopes for the future. They expressed both a longing for their country of origin and a desire to build a new life in America. The film ends on an optimistic note with Scranton’s June 2025 celebration of World Refugee Day.
After the screening, Kara Washington hosted a Q & A session.
“We began filming in January 2025. A lot has changed since then,” Washington said, noting the Trump administration’s ongoing immigration crackdown. “One woman we interviewed ultimately decided not to appear in the documentary because she was worried about her immigration status being jeopardized.”
Washington’s own experiences as an immigrant informed the project.
“I came here by choice, not out of desperation. But I understand the experience of leaving your homeland.”
She mentioned one surprising privilege of living in America.
“In the Bahamas, we import almost everything. There are no big-box stores. When my mom visits me here, she brings a second suitcase to go shopping at TJ Maxx. She has a collection of American nutcrackers.”
Washington concluded with some thoughts on the Bahamas.
“I miss the Bahamas and would like to return someday. But for now, I am staying here. The people are so kind because they are descended from immigrants themselves. NEPA is my home.”
“Making NEPA Home” is currently available under WVIA Original Documentary Films at wvia.org. It is also on WVIA’s Youtube page.