psychological toll. Many reported feelings of depression, anxiety, and hopelessness. In particular, interviewees felt burdened by uncertainty about their future in the United States. A Romani woman stated that her son, who was born stateless, asks: “W hy should we go on living?” Some felt powerless with respect to their situation. One noted, “Lawyers tell me that they can’t do anything for me because my case is pretty much closed. The verdict is there and there is no way for you to turn around the verdict. Now I’m stuck like this for the rest of my life. If I can’t go anywhere, the taxes I’m paying will not … provide me benefits, or social security, or pension, or anything. I mean what am I here for? I was brought as a child.” Some stateless persons must face these challenges while coping with trauma and scars resulting from persecution or violence in their home countries. In these circumstances, the prospect of eventual deportation exacerbates feelings of anxiety and despair. Challenges Facing Refugees and Lawful Permanent Residents Stateless refugees who have obtained permanent residency face fewer challenges than undocumented stateless persons. Unlike the undocumented, stateless refugees can lawfully work, travel, access government benefits, and sponsor family members for green cards. Nonetheless, these stateless refugees face their own unique challenges during their journey from refugees to citizens. Barriers to Adjustment of Status or Naturalization That said, there is no guarantee that stateless refugees will be able to secure US citizenship. Many have very limited education. Some are illiterate in their native languages. As a result, many interviewees — particularly Rohingya from Myanmar — expressed fear that they would never be able to pass the citizenship test and thus would remain stateless forever. One Rohingya man stated, “I don’t have the belief that I can get US citizenship because I don’t have enough education.” “I don’t know how to read or write,” said another. “For me to be able to learn English and to pass tests, it’s a challenge. Even if I go to ESL class, it’s still hard for me. I cannot understand what the teacher says. My husband can’t even go to English class. He was just a farmer person taking care of sheep and cow so he doesn’t know about school or English. My husband and I don’t have any hope to pass the test.” Travel Restrictions Although resettled refugees have access to US government-issued refugee travel documents, they nonetheless face challenges in travelling abroad despite having legal status in the United States. One man of Eritrean descent noted that he and his wife had been detained and questioned at airports by officials unfamiliar with refugee travel documents. He also noted that it can be difficult to secure visas to travel internationally without a nationality, as some countries do not recognize the refugee travel document as a valid form of travel document. In addition, refugees who have not acquired citizenship lack consular protection if they travel abroad. 74