"In the '70s I was in exile; every time I went back I wondered if they'd take my passport away"

This quote by Tahar Ben Jelloun speaks to the experience of being in exile, a feeling of displacement and unpredictability. In the 1970s, Ben Jelloun remained in exile, living away from his home country. Each time he returned, he was filled with anxiety, questioning if his passport would be eliminated. This quote speaks with the fear and insecurity that includes being in exile, as well as the sensation of being an outsider in one's own home. It also speaks with the power of federal governments to manage the movement of people, and the sense of powerlessness that comes with it. Ben Jelloun's quote is an effective tip of the struggles dealt with by those in exile, and the value of defending the rights of those who are displaced.