Humans of New York- refugees

(credit: Humans of New York)

TROY, MI-- President Obama responded Wednesday evening to a post on Humans of New York's Facebook page about a Syrian refugee approved to move to Troy, Michigan.

President Obama wrote from his personal Facebook account:

(7/7) “I still think I have a chance to make a difference in the world. I have several inventions that I’m hoping to... Posted by Humans of New York on Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Humans of New York, a popular photo story telling project, recently visited Jordan and Turkey for a project titled 'The Syrian Americans.'

HONY founder Brandon Stanton interviewed twelve Syrian families that had been cleared for resettlement in United States, a handful of which were headed to Michigan.

The man, who is a scientist and holds a Ph.D., tells his story through 7 photographs.

"I have no life, no respect, and my children aren't going to school. I have a PhD but I'm not allowed to work without a residence permit. There is a university here that is teaching with a book I wrote, but still won't give me a job," he said in one post.

The man and his family, who left their home in Syria and have lived as refugees in Turkey for two years, were recently approved to immigrate to the United States.

"I learned today that I'm going to Troy, Michigan. I know nothing about it. I just hope that it's safe and that it's a place where they respect science. I just want to get back to work. I want to be a person again. I don't want the world to think I'm over. I'm still here," he said.

(6/7) “I had no problems before the bombing. I think the cancer came from my sadness and my stress. It’s in my... Posted by Humans of New York on Tuesday, December 8, 2015

(5/7) “Everything that wasn’t destroyed in our house was stolen over the next two days. We left with nothing. I can’t... Posted by Humans of New York on Tuesday, December 8, 2015

(4/7) “I was overseeing a project outside the city when the missile hit my house. Nobody was around to help, so my son... Posted by Humans of New York on Tuesday, December 8, 2015

(3/7) “I built this compound for my family. I saved the money for it, I designed it myself, and I oversaw the... Posted by Humans of New York on Tuesday, December 8, 2015

(2/7) “Our marriage wasn’t arranged. We married out of love. We met when we were students at university. She was... Posted by Humans of New York on Tuesday, December 8, 2015