The sun shines through the window, but the air in the classroom feels heavy. The school assignment is to record a podcast. At the front of the class, the student Muzgan Batoori, 20, shares her story. Classmate Jakob asks questions from a script that the class has written together. Muzgan tells of a journey to Sweden filled with fear and hope.
– It was my mom, me, and my two brothers, says Muzgan.

The journey began in Afghanistan, where war and uncertainty tore the family apart and forced them to flee. The family is Hazara, an ethnic group that has been persecuted by the Taliban. Muzgan's oldest brother and her father were the first to leave Afghanistan, several years before Muzgan's mother and the younger children could flee. The father and older brother were granted residence permits in Sweden.
– Then we left Afghanistan because our family wanted to live together, says Muzgan.
 

Traveled in a rubber boat

Her oldest brother, who was in Sweden, saved up money so that Muzgan, who was then 14, along with the other two younger siblings and their mother, could flee to Europe.
– We drove by car from Afghanistan to Iran and then walked over the mountains to Turkey, says Muzgan Batoori.
– It was difficult all the way with smugglers and the roads. We were three children and only our mom.

How did you get in touch with the smugglers?
– By phone.

So, you just called a smuggler and said you wanted to leave?
– Yes.

How much did it cost?
– I don’t know, I was too young to think about that.

Muzgan says she believes they were in Iran for about two weeks before they managed to continue to Turkey.

What did you do in Iran?
– Nothing. We just sat and waited for the smuggler to come and say 'Come, now you have to go.

From Turkey, they traveled in a rubber boat along with 50–60 other people. Despite the dangers during the journey, they all made it. They were in Greece for two years before they were granted asylum. Shortly after that, something terrible happened. Muzgan's mother passed away.
– My mom got sick, and then we went to the doctor, who said your mom has a brain hemorrhage.

But the doctor couldn’t do anything. After her mother died, her father traveled directly to Greece to bring Muzgan and her younger brother to Sweden. One brother chose to stay in Greece.
– We landed at Arlanda and then drove to Deje, says Muzgan.

How was it to come to Sweden?
– It was good at first because we started school, studied, and made friends. But now it’s not good.

Muzgan's future is threatened. The Swedish Migration Agency has said that Muzgan and her younger brother cannot stay and are to be deported to Greece, where they first arrived. Not knowing what will happen is very hard, says Muzgan.
– I feel really bad. I am scared and keep thinking about what will happen.

Being deported to Greece would be difficult – the language is unfamiliar, and they already have a life in Sweden.
– Then I would have to start all over again. I don’t want to go to Greece, says Muzgan.
Her dream is to work in a pharmacy in Sweden.
– I want to try studying and then get a good education and job. Get my driver's license.
She also dreams of living in a townhouse.
– Now, I live with my brother and my dad in an apartment.

What’s the best part about living in Deje?
– That I get to live with my family. I’ve lived here for almost three years. I don’t want to go to Greece, but if I can't stay in Sweden, I have to go.

Why is Muzgan's father allowed to stay in Sweden, but not Muzgan?
– We can confirm that he has a residence permit in Sweden, while she has a residence permit in Greece. They have not been able to prove that it is likely they are related.
 

Why hasn’t a DNA test been done to determine if Karim is Muzgan’s father?

– I’ve tried to find an answer to that in the systems but unfortunately haven’t been able to find a clear explanation.

What can we as a class do to help our classmate?
– Show warmth and love to them, of course, in this difficult situation. Beyond that, we live in a democracy, and whether one wants stricter or more generous legislation, it’s at the political level you need to advocate for change. That’s decided on election day. As for this case, it has been appealed, so it’s really just a matter of keeping your fingers crossed for now.