Between everything and nothing : the perilous journey of Seidu Mohammed and Razak Iyal and the quest for asylum

A New York Times Book Review Editor's Choice, this harrowing true story of two young men from Ghana and their quest for asylum highlights not only the unjust political system of their homeland, but the chaos of the United States’ failing immigration system. Long before their chance meeting at a Minneapolis bus station, Ghanaian asylum seekers Seidu Mohammed and Razak Iyal had already crossed half the world in search of a new home. Seidu, who identifies as bisexual, lived under constant threat of exposure and violence in a country where same–sex acts are illegal. Razak’s life was also threatened after corrupt officials contrived to steal his rightful inheritance. Forced to flee their homeland, both men embarked on separate odysseys through the dangerous jungles and bureaucracies of South, Central, and North America. Like generations of asylum seekers before, they presented themselves legally at the U.S. border, hoping for sanctuary. Instead they were imprisoned in private detention facilities, released only after their asylum pleas were denied. Fearful of returning to Ghana, Seidu and Razak saw no choice but to attempt one final border crossing. Their journey north to Canada in the harsh, unforgiving winter proved more tragic than anything they had experienced before. Based on extensive interviews, Joe Meno’s intimate, novelistic account builds upon the international media attention Seidu and Razak’s story has already received, highlighting the harrowing journey of asylum seekers everywhere while adding dimension to one of the greatest humanitarian concerns facing the world. Joe Meno brings a novelist's eye to the true story of two young men from Ghana and their journey from the unjust political system of their homeland through the chaos of the United States' failing immigration system Based on extensive interviews with Seidu Mohammed and Razak Iyal, Joe Meno's nonfiction debut recounts the harrowing journey of two Ghanian asylum seekers hoping to build a better life in North America. Long before ever meeting by chance at a Minneapolis bus station on December 23rd, 2016, Seidu and Razak had already endured more injustice than most. Forced to flee the inhumane social policies of their native Ghana, both men separately embarked on perilous odysseys that took them through the jungles and bureaucracies of South and Central America. Like countless immigrants before, they arrived at the United States border with high hopes and the reasonable expectation that their worst days were behind them. But instead of finding asylum and the American Dream, Seidu and Razak became trapped in a nightmare as detainees in a private detention facility where a byzantine and cruel plea process stripped them of their humanity and treated them like criminals simply for wanting the chance at a better life. Unable to return to Ghana and with the rise of anti-immigration sentiment extinguishing any lingering hopes for a happy outcome in the United States, Seidu and Razak set their sights on Canada. Crossing the Canadian border would prove to be riskier and more tragic than anything that came before. Seidu and Razak's perilous journey has already received international media attention for the way it typifies the uncaring and exploitative immigration crisis at our southern border and beyond. With this intimate and heartbreaking account, Joe Meno brings to life the horrors of the global asylum industry, adding a much needed personal dimension to one of the greatest humanitarian concerns the world now faces. "Between Everything and Nothing is an epic, nonfiction narrative based on Seidu Mohammed and Razak Iyal's true-life journey from the unjust political system of their homeland in Ghana through the chaos of the United States' failing immigration system. Before ever meeting, both men fled the inhumane social policies of modern-day Ghana, making the perilous odyssey through the jungles of South and Central America on their own, only to arrive at the United States border and face detainment in a U.S immigration detention facility for nearly a year. Both men eventually lost their asylum pleas and were released while awaiting deportation. By chance or fate, these two men met in a Minneapolis bus station on December 23rd, 2016, and agreed to cross the Canadian border together, a trip that risked both their lives and led to tragic consequences. Seidu and Razak's experiences speak directly to the immigration crisis within the United States and Europe, which is one of the greatest humanitarian concerns the world now faces"--. Provided by publisher