

Jean-Paul Kakweni Kingwala talks Wednesday about his journey from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where he was a Red Cross worker before fleeing the country. He is staying at an emergency shelter for asylum seekers in Portland with his pregnant wife and one of his three children. The other two children were left behind.
A young girl dances during a performance Wednesday by Pihcintu, a Portland-based African teen singing group, at the emergency shelter for asylum seekers at the Portland Expo.
Nyawal Lia, 24, dances with children of asylum seekers at the Portland Expo on Wednesday after a performance by Pihcintu, a multicultural teen singing group from Portland.
A young boy sits with a baby Wednesday at the emergency shelter for asylum seekers at the Portland Expo.
A woman eats lunch with her young daughter Wednesday at the Portland Expo.
Children dance to music after lunch Wednesday at the Portland Expo.
Melissa Paoula Ononye laughs as rolls on the floor of the Portland Expo during a lunchtime performance by Pihcintu, a Portland-based African teen singing group.
Melissa Paoula Ononye laughs as she is tickled by volunteer Julie Haddad of Scarborough at the emergency shelter at the Portland Expo on Wednesday.
Two children sit on one of the cots set up for asylum seekers in the emergency shelter at the Portland Expo on Wednesday.
Volunteers serve lunch to asylum seekers Wednesday in the emergency shelter at the Portland Expo.