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The Immigrant Experience: A Reflection on Albania’s Past and America’s Present

Immigration is a topic that has always been at the heart of our Albanian communities in America and the diasporas that extend across the globe. Yet, in light of recent political events—specifically, the election of convicted felon Donald Trump for a second term—I’ve been struck by a growing sense of disconnect within our communities. I find myself asking, Did we learn nothing from our past?

Lessons from Albania’s Communist Regime

Albania’s history is one of relentless hardship and suffering, as the country endured the crushing grip of communism from 1947 to 1992. For nearly half a century, the Communist Party suffocated its people, leaving a legacy of fear, deprivation, and lost freedom. After the fall of communism, we faced a chaotic and unorganized government, marked by political instability and economic ruin. For many of us, the memories of these struggles are still alive, passed down through generations.

I often reflect on the stories my father shares with me, stories that have shaped my understanding of survival under an oppressive regime. As we talk almost daily, each conversation serves as a reminder of the harsh conditions he endured growing up. Maybe it’s the “older daughter guilt” kicking in, but hearing his experiences always hits me deeply.

Born during the communist era, my father grew up surrounded by crushing poverty and a lack of basic necessities. His childhood was marked by the constant fear of speaking out against the regime—knowing that even thesmallest dissent could have dire consequences. The struggle to survive was not just about food and shelter, but about navigating an oppressive system that controlled every aspect of life.

For many Albanian families, food was scarce. My father recalls eating nothing but bread dipped in salt, and, at just 9 years old, he was responsible for herding the few sheep my grandparents were allowed by the state. His childhood was spent sleeping in the mountain trees to protect himself from wolves, walking two hours each way to school, and knowing that seeking medical help meant traveling a full day to reach the nearest hospital.

But the most haunting part of his memories is the constant fear of punishment for any dissent against the Communist regime. Speaking out could lead to imprisonment, exile, or even death. These were the realities my father faced—and so many others like him.

The Struggles of Albanian Immigration

Fast forward to the early 1990s, a time of great political change in Albania. In 1990, student protests led to the legalization of political parties, and the regime fell. But even after the fall of communism, Albania’s economy remained unstable, and the country was plagued by poverty. My father, along with many others, sought a better life abroad.

This part of my father’s story is personal to me. He illegally crossed into Greece with his brothers and cousins, desperate to escape the dire economic conditions. They hiked through the mountains for days—sometimes in freezing temperatures—seeking work and survival. At just 20 years old, my father was determined to carve out a future. Yet, when he arrived in Greece, he faced intense hostility. Albanians were vilified, labeled as thieves and criminals, and the racism was palpable.

This was a time when many Albanians, like my father, were seen as little more than scapegoats for Greece’s economic woes. It’s a familiar narrative, isn’t it? Today, immigrants across the world face the same stigmatization and fear-mongering. In many ways, the hate my father faced in Greece mirrors the anti-immigrant sentiment we see in America today.

The Disconnect: History Repeating Itself? If you’re Albanian, you’ve likely heard similar stories—whether from your parents, older relatives, or family friends. These stories are deeply ingrained in the immigrant experience. Yet, I’m troubled by a sense of disconnection I see in our community. How is it that those of us who lived through—or heard the stories of—these struggles can stand by as immigrant lives are dehumanized once again?

The state of America today is a reminder of the fear and insecurity my parents must have felt throughout their lives. I think about how, as a child, I would go months without seeing my father, all because he was working tirelessly to create a better life for our family. I remember the anxiety, the longing, and the quiet hope that kept him going.

Now, as an adult, I look around and feel a deep sense of concern. I see people in my community—people who have lived through this history or heard it firsthand—becoming indifferent to the struggles of other immigrants. I feel disconnected from those who seem to forget the sacrifices our families made to escape oppressive regimes, the racism we faced, and the trauma of being labeled as “the other.”

Have We Forgotten Our Roots?

The immigrant experience is still real for so many. Yet, in today’s political climate, we’re seeing history repeat itself. Fear of the “other,” racism, and xenophobia are once again on the rise, and it’s deeply concerning to witness this, especially as an immigrant myself.

I can’t help but wonder: Have we, as Albanians and as immigrants, learned nothing from our past? Did we forget the struggles our families endured to escape oppressive regimes? Did we forget the sacrifices made by those who fled in search of a better life? The disconnect I feel within our community today is troubling. How can we stand by while immigrants are demonized and marginalized, when we know all too well the pain of being rejected and dehumanized?

We must remember the lessons of our history—not just to honor those who came before us but to ensure that we don’t repeat the mistakes of the past.