Stateless People

Over 99% of the world's population is a citizen of some country. However, approximately 0.06% lack citizenship in any country. The United Nations estimates that 4.4 million people worldwide are stateless. They've fallen through the cracks in a system either by mistake or by malicious intent. And for that small minority of people, life can be exceptionally difficult and dangerous. Learn more about stateless people on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily. So good, so good, so good. New spring arrivals are at Nordstrom Rack stores now. Get ready to save big with up to 60% off Rag and Bone, Marc Jacobs, Free People, and more. How did I not know rack has Adidas? Because there's always something new. Join the Nordy Club to unlock exclusive discounts, shop new arrivals first, and more. Plus, buy online and pick up at your favorite rack store for free. Great brands, great prices. That's why you rack. Have you ever wondered what it's like to be buried in an avalanche? Weird foreign feeling of despair. Or how it feels to crash a skydive. I remember feeling my body hit the ground. These are the stories you'll hear on the podcast called What Was That Like? True stories told by the actual person who went through it, and you'll hear actual 911 calls. 911. There's a man at my backdoor trying to get in. Search for What Was That Like on any podcast app or at whatwasthatlike.com. We should start this episode by defining exactly what a stateless person is. A stateless person is not considered to be a citizen of any country. A stateless person has no nation to turn to for travel documents or legal certification. A stateless person is not the same as someone who is not a citizen of the country they are currently in. For example, a Japanese engineer could be working in Italy under a visa arrangement and would not have the protection of Italian citizenship, but the engineer would have legal protections in Japan and would always be able to turn to them. Being stateless is also not illegal immigration. Even if you are in a country illegally, you would still be a citizen of your country of origin. Being stateless in the modern world can produce tragic consequences. Stateless people cannot obtain official proof of their existence or residency. The stateless are outside of the most fundamental apparatus of the country in which they reside. Most national laws mandate that stateless people live without a birth certificate, driver's license, or passport. Without the most basic documents, the stateless endured great hardships and are trapped in their tragic circumstances. Many governments deny stateless children access to education. Public schools and the funding that supports them are directed towards legal residents and citizens of a state. Stateless children cannot prove their identity, so their participation in school is severely limited, as nearly every school system in the world requires a birth certificate to participate. Without an educational path, …