ALAIN:
Qui va me protéger?
Who is going to protect me?

Unable to continue to Europe and too frightened to return home, many African and Middle Eastern migrants have made Istanbul their transitional residence as they seek to become legally recognized as refugees from the violence and poverty in their native countries.   

As they wait, these migrants face another array of hardships that accompany the lack of residence permits or other identifying documents. The doors of hospitals and schools are closed to illegal residents and their families, and places of employment almost always turn away or exploit those without a work permit.  Without residence papers, even an exit visa is unattainable.  Each day becomes a struggle to find a job for the next month’s rent and the next week’s food. 

This is a collection of photos taken by six migrants over two months, documenting their lives in Istanbul.  The project was designed and undertaken by Corey Chao, a student at Haverford College, through a grant from the college’s Center for Peace and Global Citizenship. 

Photo by Corey Chao © 2008