Witness History

The book that changed Norway’s view of immigrants

Aug 20, 2025
A young Russian woman's book reshaped Norway's attitude towards undocumented immigrants, igniting a government crisis and policy reform. Her family’s perilous journey from North Ossetia highlights the struggles of navigating life without asylum. The narrative dives into the hardships faced by those living in fear of deportation and showcases the power of storytelling in activism. It emphasizes resilience in the immigrant experience and touches on entrepreneurship, as the author ventures into tech with AI software amidst shifting immigration landscapes.
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ANECDOTE

Child Refugee Who Built A New Life

  • Maria Amélie fled North Ossetia as a child and arrived in Norway with her parents in around 2000.
  • Her family lived in an asylum centre and their application was rejected while she attended local school.
ANECDOTE

Studying With A Master's And No Papers

  • Maria earned a master's degree at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology while undocumented.
  • She worked cleaning houses and lived with constant fear of reporting and deportation.
ANECDOTE

A Book That Put Her Life On The Line

  • Maria chose to write a book exposing life as undocumented to create impact despite the risk of deportation.
  • The book, Illegally Norwegian, became a bestseller and many readers confided similar experiences to her.
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