The Global Story: Abdi’s American Dream

The American Dream persists as a powerful global ideal, yet its promise faces significant challenges in contemporary society. Abdi Nor Iftin, a Somali immigrant who arrived in the United States via the diversity visa lottery, reflects on his decade-long journey from escaping civil war to navigating life in Maine. While he initially viewed America as a beacon of freedom and opportunity, his perspective has shifted due to increased political polarization and exclusionary rhetoric targeting immigrants. The loss of his job at a refugee resettlement agency and the suspension of the visa lottery program underscore a growing sense of alienation. Ultimately, the American Dream remains alive as a symbol of hope for those abroad, but its domestic health is compromised by rising intolerance and systemic barriers that threaten the nation's foundational promise of inclusion.