For his entire life, my friend Maysam has lived in Dubai. His parents are from Syria, a place he hasn’t visited since he was a young child. If you ask him, the UAE is his home. But on paper it isn’t, and likely never will be. So what happens when the only place you know as home in your heart can’t be your home forever?

I co-produced this episode with Hebah Fisher. Editorial support from Razan Alzayani, Lilly Crown, Laura Saab, Jackie Sofia, and Percia Verlin. Sound design by Fady Garas.