Roza fled the Chechen-Russian conflict and was granted refugee status in Poland. In spite of the anxious period she spent appealing the rejection of her asylum claim, she was determined to integrate into Polish society and now works as a doctor at a local school. 

Maia lives in Spain with her son and has begun to rebuild her life after the tragic death of her husband, following the family's transfer from the Netherlands under the Dublin Regulation.

Ali is a qualified engineer from Chechnya who fled to Poland with his family in 2003. He was granted tolerated status, but feels insecure and alienated from Polish society.

Fema arrived in the Netherlands in 1998 with her husband and three children, fleeing persecution in Sudan. The family endured a long asylum procedure and were finally granted refugee status in 2003.

Mahdi was tortured by Iran's secret police and fled to the Netherlands in 2000. His asylum application was rejected and in fear of being sent back to Iran, he fled to Denmark. He has since been returned to the Netherlands and is now living without status. 

Nadezda fled political persecution in Ukraine in 1996. She applied for asylum twice in the Czech Republic before finally being granted protection seven years after her original claim. 

Natalia sought asylum in the Czech Republic with her husband and two children in 2001, escaping the oppressive regime in Belarus.

In his late fifties, Solomon escaped political imprisonment in Ethiopia 13 years ago. He eventually found himself in Malta, where he was detained for eight months and has since been denied refugee status.

Barry fled political persecution in the Democratic Republic of Congo and claimed asylum in Belgium. When his application was refused he was detained with his wife and small baby.

James is a qualified science teacher volunteering at the UK-based charity 'Education Action'. He fled Sierra Leone four years ago and is still waiting for a decision on his case.