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COMMUNITY PROFILE Majd Zuma has looked at immigration from both sides BY SARAH KITTLE Majd Zuma, like many Chaldean-American young adults, immigrated to the U.S. from Iraq as a child. On June 5, 2007, thirteen-year-old Majd and his family arrived at Detroit Metro Airport and a whole new world. They had come from Jordan, where “there was no hope,” Zuma recalls. As refugees in that country, Majd and his siblings were not allowed to attend school. He had finished fourth grade in Iraq but missed the next few years of schooling, a deficit that is difficult to make up. He knew no English and had to learn the basics, like the alphabet, in order to go on. “I credit my grandfather with emphasizing the importance of education,” Zuma says. His grandfather was a pharmacist in Iraq, and he shared his pearls of wisdom with young Majd. “Anybody can take anything from you, except your knowledge,” was a favorite saying. In his new country, Majd was placed in eighth grade, despite the holes in his learning. At Clifford Middle School in Commerce, he would work 3 hours on English as a Second language (ESL) classes before school started. There was only one other Chaldean kid in his class. “ESL kids lack confidence,” says Majd. “Immersion learning was definitely at play,” he adds, remembering movies and TV shows that he watched back then. Majd developed a list of goals at a young age. He knew the medical field was not for him, and he had no interest in exploring the world of mathematics, so what did that leave? His tenthgrade teacher, Alycia Chase, gave him the answer when she suggested he enroll in AP Government class. She had a law degree herself and she pushed him and expected a lot out of him. “I never knew I could survive a class like that,” Majd recalls. “It was a turning point for me; I found myself and my own interests.” A tenth-grade field trip to Washington, D.C. cemented the deal. Attending law school became one of his goals. “The U.S. gave me opportunities that my home country couldn’t give,” says Majd. He was always on the lookout for opportunities of service, which is how he ended up at the Chaldean Community Foundation, helping register people to vote and educating them on the voting process. “Hey You Vote” was one of the social media campaigns he worked on. He also helped create a numbering system for digital appointments and played a part in the expansion committee. Majd also had his hand in the music business. In high school, a band called “The Dollhouse” was looking for a third member. He brought them Chelsea Stone, and she became the first unofficial artist he represented. Years later, when Majd was working on a primary election campaign for Klint Kesto, whom Majd considers a mentor, he met (now Representative) Ryan Berman, who had connections in the music industry. “I wanted to experience something new,” Majd recalls, “I’ve always been into new talents.” So where is Majd now? In a little town on the Mexican border, working as a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer. As such, he processes applicants and goods for entry. He is the first point of contact for an immigrant crossing the border there. “I’ve gained so much knowledge and experience working for CBP” he says, “Looking back, I never would have thought I’d be on the other side” (of the immigration process). “It’s been a great experience so far,” he says, “although it is a major change for me.” Of course, he knew no Spanish going in but is in the process of learning, understanding the words better than he can speak them at this point. Law school may still be in the future for this enterprising young man. He respects the dignity and integrity of the profession, and he has proven he is willing to work hard to get what he wants. “No one’s going to do it for me if I don’t do it myself.” What is next for Majd? “The sky is the limit,” he says with a laugh. Always ready for a new challenge, Zuma sees his future laid out bright before him – with the FBI, HSI, ICE, maybe a deportation officer, who knows? “Always look for better” is the motto he lives by. 40 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2022
New Sales Requirements for JUUL Products Juul Labs, Inc. (“JLI”) has received authorization to sell JUUL Device and JUULpods. As part of its marketing order and sales and distribution restrictions, all JUUL retailers must commit to adopt Enhanced Access Controls (EAC) by November 9, 2021 and complete implementation and certification no later than March 9, 2022. EAC includes two requirements for every JUUL transaction: Advanced Age-Verification (ID Scanning) To ensure customers are of legal age, and that an ID is valid and not expired. Automated Product-Quantity Limits To ensure customers cannot buy in bulk to re-distribute to those under the legal age by automatically blocking transactions that exceed Juul Labs’ limits of 1 JUUL Device and/or 4 JUULpod Packs. How do I commit to EAC? Learn how to configure your POS system by visiting the Juul Labs Resource Center: https://www.juullabsretailer.com Contact the EAC Call Center: 1 (855) 780-7966 between 9 AM to 9 PM ET Please reach out to your Juul Labs Representative if you have any questions. To combat underage use of JUUL products, Juul Labs is working with retailers across the U.S. to implement EAC within pre-existing point-of-sale system technology. Thank you for being a responsible retail partner and helping restrict underage access to JUUL products. This information is for retailer use only and is not for advertising or promotional purposes or intended for a consumer audience. FEBRUARY 2022 CHALDEAN NEWS 41
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