There are many and scholars who were impacted by the initial ban, which covered all seven banned countries. These students are an important part of our community and their careers, families, and futures are all in limbo during this period of uncertainty as the news is changing daily. Overall, nearly 60,000 visas were revoked and over 700 travelers were detained during the initial ban implementation. While seemingly abstract numbers, each of these are people, who were traveling to see family or friends, reunite with loved ones, visiting to see their children graduate from college, or UNM students returning to start the spring semester.
Main aims
The concept was to show the daily life of people of that country who are now demonized in the Western media. We try to show those people who are labelled as evil, bad, terrorists, or dangerous are regular people who love their family, community and the world and have the same values as others. We tried to educate our community about the people that nowadays a marginalized in the USA and help refugees and immigrants.
Project summary
The project combined two complementary events: a Nowruz celebration and a photography exhibition titled ‘The True Face of Banned Countries.’ Together, these created a cultural and educational space aimed at challenging misconceptions and fostering greater understanding of countries affected by recent travel restrictions. The event featured Arabic and Persian food, creating a welcoming environment that encouraged dialogue and cultural exchange.
The exhibition showcased photographs taken by students from the School of Architecture and Planning, highlighting personal perspectives from Iran, Sudan, and Syria. Through images of daily life, architecture, and cultural heritage, the exhibition sought to move beyond dominant media narratives and present a more nuanced and human portrayal of these countries. Each photograph told a story, offering insight into the beauty, history, and lived experiences of communities often misrepresented or overlooked.
As part of the event, a speech was delivered addressing the human impact of the travel ban, emphasizing how such policies have affected countless individuals and families. Two students directly impacted by the restrictions also shared their personal experiences, adding powerful, firsthand perspectives to the discussion. Overall, the initiative aimed to create empathy, support affected communities, and encourage audiences to look beyond stereotypes and engage with the richness and diversity of these cultures.
Partners
- School of Architecture and Planning, University of New Mexico
- Department of Photography, School of Fine Art, University of New Mexico
- ACWAY
project evaluation
The project was highly successful, exceeding initial expectations. Participants from diverse backgrounds, including senior decision-makers within the university, attended and actively supported the initiative. The event played a meaningful role in raising awareness within the community about refugees and immigrants from the affected countries, while also fostering dialogue and empathy around their experiences.
On a personal level, the project served as a significant learning experience. It provided valuable insight into the histories and realities of the countries represented, while also developing practical skills in fundraising, networking, and project facilitation in an international context. The exhibition remained open to the public for a week and generated over $700 in photo sales, with all proceeds directed to a refugee centre in New Mexico.
The project also attracted wider institutional interest, including engagement with a state senator who expressed interest in visiting the exhibition or sending a representative. Overall, the initiative successfully educated audiences, amplified marginalized voices, and increased awareness of pressing community issues, leading to requests from other organisations to host similar events in the future.