LIVING WITH THE MUSLIM BAN

On June 26, the Supreme Court upheld the Trump administration’s third Muslim ban. As a result, the United States currently bans nationals of five Muslim-majority countries — Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen — and a minuscule number of North Koreans and Venezuelans from coming to the country on most or all types of visas, even if they have spouses, children, parents, or other family members in the United States. We invited people to share how the ban affects their lives. Stories poured in from the United States and abroad; of families separated, weddings postponed, and lives uprooted. Communities across the country are grappling with what it means to be Muslim in the United States, living under a president who says that “Islam hates us,” and has spun that prejudice into actual policy.

"Those defending this executive order don't understand humanity and love."

Ardeshir

Our family has being impacted deeply by this unfair, inhuman and heartless executive order. My brother's relationship with an Iranian girl broke up after so many years, because they were so hopeless about bringing her to U.S. My brother has become U.S. Citizen recently but it didn't help too as we are treated like second class citizens that cannot get married to our loved ones. It hurt both families and has been bringing tears and sadness to both families. My brother is so upset and depressed and my parents feeling so helpless. I am not sure if my story would help or not but I am sure those defending this executive order don't understand humanity and love.

HAYA BITAR

Haya Bitar

I was born in the United States to Syrian parents, who sacrificed everything they had to ensure that I could live the life that they were not allowed to live. A life free from persecution and oppression. Now at 17, I am studying in the United States with privilege and in harmony, while Syria is facing a disastrous war that has torn my family to pieces. My Mom, Dad, and 14 year old sister are banned from entering the United States because of their nationality and religion. They are constantly discriminated against at airports, and are subjected to extremely unnecessary interrogational procedures when they apply for visas and other similar travel documents. It’s absolutely insane that a country that prides itself on its commitment to freedom and justice, can close its doors on refugees and immigrants seeking help. The country that I was born in not only betrayed me, but it betrayed my family as well. However, I will continue to voice my family and my cries for justice, and will not stop until all immigrants and refugees receive the treatment they deserve as human beings.

"We pray daily to be reunited as a couple."

Monica

Mohammed and I met in Iraq while we were both working for an international school. He is a Syrian refugee, and I am an American citizen. He came with his sister to live with their older brother and sister-in-law. I was a friend of the family, and spent many evenings with them. We grew close, and when he went to Turkey to escort his sister to her future husband, we kept in touch. A year later, we were engaged. He was not allowed to return to Iraq because he is an Arab. I was not allowed to stay in Turkey. So, we went through the K-1 Visa process. He had two interviews, but was told at the beginning of this year, 2018, that because of the President's proclamation, Mohammed cannot have a K-1 Visa. I visit him when I can, but waiting a whole year to be together for just a little while is hard. We pray daily to be reunited as a couple.

Rashad

Rashad

Benjamin Franklin once said, “They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” These words hit home for my wife and me who are Iranian-American citizens living in Los Angeles, CA. The ban has indefinitely barred our Iranian parents from visiting us at home. They have to spend the rest of their lives away from their children for whom they have sacrificed everything. Our first child was born in September of 2017 and our parents can’t wait to see their first grandchild. It’s heartbreaking to see them sending kisses over a video call, reading a book to their little grandchild, and only imagining what it’d be like to hold him. Our only chance to reunite with them is to visit them outside the US. As a full-time pharmacist and software engineer, that leaves us with a maximum of two weeks each year. My parents had visited us three times in the past ten years by going through extreme vetting processes. However, their last visa application was denied in January of 2018 after 15 months of waiting. They are 66 and 55 years old. As a pediatrician, my father has spent his entire life caring for families and children in need, and my mother is a passionate math teacher. How could anyone find that these individuals are a national security threat? The ban effectively treats us as second-class US citizens. It has posed undue hardship on our family by separating parents, children, and grandchildren, and taking away our simple hope to have family’s love and support in raising our newborn. It has forced a huge sacrifice upon our family only to score a political point.

"This ban is forcing me to choose between my family and the life I've tried to build here."

Mahnaz

I migrated to the U.S. 6 years ago through DV lottery program. I didn’t know anybody, and I didn’t speak very much English at the time. I came here to help build a better life for myself and my family. From when my green card was granted up to the time I became a U.S. citizen, the laws would have allowed me to apply for my immediate family members as one of the benefits of being a citizen. After almost a year of following the application process and paying many fees, I now know that my parents’ case is affected by the travel ban and that they will be denied due to the discrimination based on country of origin. My parents are old and retired and my mom has a very serious heart condition. Being able to have them near me where we can take care of each other is very important to me. I still haven’t told them they might never be able to visit me here where we can be a family. This ban is forcing me to choose between my family and the life I’ve tried to build here.

SARVIN HAGHIGHI

Sarvin Haghighi

My name is Sarvin Haghighi, born and raised in Tehran, Iran, moved to Dubai in 2006, climbed Kilimanjaro in 2011 where I met my future husband, Andy and got married and moved to Chicago in 2013. I was on a trip visiting my family in Australia when the first muslim ban came into effect. Within minutes, my future as a legal permanent US resident were unclear, my green card did not have any meaning as long as my birth of country was Iran. We all spent a week in stress, uncertainty and fear. My husband started a campaign in Chicago to bring me back home and after one week which felt like years, I was able to come back to Chicago.

S.W.

S.W.

The worst thing is waiting years for something so big and that will impact your life in so many ways and just before you are about to get what you have wanted, no need, a guy who claims he is "Making America Great Again" destroys it all. How is destroying US citizens' lives who strive for America and work for America making America great again? I haven't seen him for 2 and a 1/2 years and he's never seen our 2 yr old daughter. I applied 2 and a 1/2 years ago and for 4 months he was under "administrative processing" waiting for his visa to be printed. For 4 months every hour of every day, that's what I was constantly checking-his visa status- to see if it has changed. On Dec 4, everything changed for me, for our daughter and for my husband, for the worse. He has been in Djibouti for six months waiting and in the end he will have to go back to Yemen empty handed, not to mention the war and the current chaos in Yemen. He couldn't finish his education because he had to travel to Djibouti for his visa interview. He can't apply here in the US, because he didn't receive a visa. I can't start college until he comes here because I won't be able to pay for college, attend college and raise a child on my own. My daughter and I can't even travel to Yemen because it is unsafe. It is even unsafe for him to go back and can't live in Djibouti any longer because of how expensive living there is, and the list goes on... of the things that changed because of the travel ban. Not being able to travel is how Trump and his supporters see this ban, but for people who have been affected by it, it's not just to ban travel. It banned living a normal life, liberty and happiness.

FAISAL R. KHAN

Faisal R. Khan

I’m an American Muslim and proud of my faith and proud of being part the American social and democratic fabric of this country. With all the darkness and negativity related to current political hate and bigotry, I will continue to stand up and speak up for all communities of all backgrounds who are being affected by current xenophobic and Islamophobic policies. It is incumbent upon me to defend and protect our constitutional principles and values. Strength of our nation is in our diversity and tolerance. We are strong when we are united.

I am begging you to help us free our parents and our families from the Travel Ban."

Shaghayegh Ansari

My name is Shaghayegh (Shad) Moalemzadeh Ansari, 28 years old, born and grew up in Kerman, Iran and now living in Tucson, AZ. I am writing to you to share our story of last 11-12 months and how Travel Ban, all versions of it affected our lives. I moved to US 4 years ago with 100 percent support of my family, especially my Dad who's dream has been always being coming to US, because he loved this country so much and he believed that US is one of the places on earth where you can achieve what you deserve and try for! I did it despite of all difficulties we faced in Iran economically that time, and my family sacrificed many dreams to help me. I remember my elder brother sold his gold coins for me, I remember my Mom gave me her gold chain at the airport, I remember my elder sister gave me her savings, I remember my Dad crying when we were doing Skype video calls, because he loved us more than himself and it was so hard for him to not see us everyday at home. I finally did it, and on January 12th 2017, I've got my green card and I knew that moment all I wanted is being with my family more, I wanted to bring my Dad for a visit to see where he has been dreaming to see since he was at my age! But Travel Ban version 1 announced and we were not sure if it will be the best idea, so I decided to buy a ticket and go to see them after almost 2 years. I arrived on March 18th 2017, and we were so happy to be with each other for Persian New Year that I missed for last 3 years, even still Iranians were not sure if it is ok for them to leave US. As we all do not know what will happen next, doctors diagnosed my Dad with Stage 4 Brain Cancer named Glioblastoma Multiforme known as GBM ten days after I arrived, 5 days after new year! We were informed that we might not have much time with him, so I decided to stay there for his surgery and treatments which I am so grateful to be granted that chance, because, Bourn Companies in Tucson as my employer, supported me to stay with my family as much as my family and I would need. During his Radiotherapy in May, we've got the best possible news while we were facing hard days that my sister's fiance won Diversity Visa Lottery! You can not imagine how happy my dad was, and how my sister got more hope in her life knowing that they may have a chance to live with me in US despite of what would happen later, because we all knew my Dad's cancer does not have a cure! So they got married sooner than what they planed in Tehran where we were staying for my dad's treatment, because he wanted to signed their marriage certification as a witness!! After all, my dad got worse during next 7 months, I had to come back because I know I should be the bonafide relationship waiver for my sister’s immigration case because of Travel Ban 2, so it was better for me being in US, continue to live and work. They've received their embassy interview letter for Dec 5th 2017 at US Embassy at Yerevan,and with all our difficult situation at home, taking care of my dad who was not functioning more than 40-30 percent at that time, they went to get their interview done. Three hours to their interview for 9 AM, Armenia Time on Dec 5th 2017, US Supreme Court announced that Travel Ban 3 can be fully effected!! Now imagine how our lives turned to be disappointed, helpless and stressed since then. I was not as much happy for myself as I was for my sister, because I knew she needed that light at the darkest time of her life more than anyone else does! But they did not get their visas as their case is required an Administration Process which takes 60-90 days or even more! So at the end they received an email from Embassy that under Presidential Proclamation 9645 they have rejected and we have to wait to see what will happen at the end. But what if they won't be able to have their visas by Sep 30 2018 which is the deadline for DV Lottery visas after all. What if all this hopes will be taken from them at the end. Right now that I am writing this to you, I heard my Dad got worse and maybe so close to the time that we should say farewells to him, and I am getting ready to go to Iran. But all I want from God is give me a chance to bring my Mom to US with me after all hard times she went through. She and my Dad are my true heroes, and if I will be able to do something for this country some day, it is all because of them whom have been teaching us to be strong, kind, help humans as much as we can, and in one word be a good and useful person for our society and our families! I am begging you to help us free our parents and our families from Travel Ban, and help me do not lose what I lost with my Dad, so I will be able to get a Visa for my family, especially my Mom to come to US and see my life here, so she can be proud of all hers and my Dad's sacrifices. I've been always an optimistic person who believes in this country, and I am so proud to call myself an Iranian-American! I believe in this country not because of governments who come and go, I believe in this country because of its spirit of freedom and welcoming, its people and its foundations. I am still hopeful that I can make my Dad's last and only dream come true, and have my family see this country.

ANWAR

Anwar

After the long and terrible war in Yemen, I won the lottery visa. Traveling through the war to get to Djibouti was very hard and expensive. In order for me to get to where I am today, I had to sell and leave everything behind. I was turned away after spending $1,320 for visa fees at U.S. embassy than turned around and was given a refusal letter. It was unclear to me. I’m seeking help to get my family safely to America. I can’t see how I can go back and raise my two children in the middle of war torn Yemen.

"His life and future are on hold."

Niloofar Hajibeiklou

My parents applied for their permanent residency in 1998. By that time my brother was only 11 years old, however, when in 2010 finally it was the time for their case to be processed, my brother was 24 years old and had aged out. We knew this is going to be a long period of separation but we believed in the immigration system and that if you follow the law and wait, your case will be processed and United States system cares about family values. My parents applied for my brother one week after they came to United States in 2010, they sold their life back in Iran, moved here and started the very long waiting period so the family can be united again. Finally after seven years of waiting and being apart from my only brother we received a letter from National Visa Center that his case will be processed in February. The new travel ban bans the issuance of any immigrant visa to Iranians indefinitely. We have always followed immigration laws and my brother have been waiting for seven years now. I have not seen him in the past nine years and my parents are waiting for seven years to be reunited with their only son. His life and future are on hold. He is waiting to start his life here for seven years now. He holds a Master’s Degree in Architecture.

ROYA

Roya

My mother and father-in-law cannot visit us here. We never had a wedding waiting for them to come to the US. They will not meet my family. They probably will not get a chance to meet their future grandchildren.

"I've been concerned for my baby and the society he will be growing up in."

Reyhane Karbasi

My name is Reyhane Karbasi. I have been living in US since 2008 with my husband, and we now have a 1-year old baby boy. We are from Iran. I went to school here and am currently working at three health care facilities where we serve patients with the highest standards of ethics and without any kind of discrimination, including nationality, race, and religion. I learned these virtuous qualities during my schooling in the US, and I stand strongly by these values. Moreover, I am the voice for not only myself, but for thousands of people who have been affected by the travel ban. This travel ban is not only tearing apart new families; but by disconnecting family members, it is also tearing apart long married couples and their children, as well. There are many cases, including my own, where parents are being deprived to visit their children, and this disconnect has been tremendously difficult. I applied for an immigration visa for my parents in late 2015. All of the documents were approved, including the petition and affidavit of support which were required for getting approval from USCIS. My parents went for an interview in February 2017. At the end of the interview, the officer congratulated my mom for her visa's issuance. However, he told my dad that he would have to wait for a routine administrative process which could take about 4 months to get completed. Once completed, the officer said his visa would be issued. However, it's been 10 months, and my dad's case is still remaining under administrative process. Unfortunately, now my dad's case will likely get rejected, even if his administrative process gets completed, and this is only because of TRAVEL BAN and our Iranian nationality. My mom and dad are in their 60s and 70s, respectively, and they need to be by each other's side at this age. It is really hard for my mom to travel here without my dad, and it is even more difficult, both emotionally and physically, for my dad to live without my mom when my mom is here in the US. They are at the age where they need to be taken care of by each other. It is necessary to mention that my parents were here in 2015 as tourists. They came on time and left even before the expiration of their visas. They did not violate any laws and regulations. With this TRAVEL BAN, we are being punished for crimes that have never been committed by us. My baby is deprived of being held by his grandpa only because of TRAVEL BAN. These days, I've been concerned for my baby and the society he will be growing up in. I want him to understand the importance of non-discrimination and to learn to treat all people with love, kindness, and respect regardless of their race, nationality, and religion. These are values the United States has stood for, and these are values that I, as a mother, learned here at school. I take pride in these values, and my only wish is that our country, the United States of America, will continue to stand strong by them so that our children will grow up learning them, as well. I am really grateful that you took time to read my letter, and I would truly appreciate if you would be a voice for us. This policy has negatively affected our families more than you can imagine. Please help disconnected families to reunite again, and please help my dad to come visit me and my husband and to hold his baby grandson for the very first time.

"It's very sad knowing the country that teaches us freedom and happiness is now destroying families."

Saba

I am a United States citizen. It’s been 3 years since I applied for my husband. We have a baby boy together. This travel ban made it hard on me my husband and our son to be reunited. My husband took his interview but he didn’t get visa yet. It’s very sad knowing the country that teaches us freedom and happiness is now destroying families. My husband is a medical doctor and I want to go to medical school. I need my husband to support me but because of this travel ban our American dream of happiness and hope turned into nightmare.

Azade

Azade

We got married romantically more than 3 years ago but we have been with each other for less than six months. We have lost lots of minutes for being with each other. These lost days will no longer be compensated and will not return again.

Yusra

Yusra

I am a U.S. citizen that was born in the United States. I gave birth to my baby girl without her father being around and it's was one of the hardest things I went through. I feel I am like a second-degree citizen only because I have origins from Yemen. My family is torn apart with this ban and it seems I am left with the decision to go back to Yemen despite all of the war and conflict that is going on there. I gave up on equality and justice and democracy. My father passed away six months ago and my mother is left behind on her own. It breaks my heart that I can't get her to be by my side as a U.S. citizen. I feel helpless and sad that it takes me to dark places. I feel all my dreams of reunion and better future are scattered with this ban.

MARAL

Maral

My name is Maral. I am a permanent resident of the United States and married to Louis who is a US born citizen and I am also 38 weeks pregnant with our first child (due early Feb). I have had many complications and severe pain during my pregnancy which has made my daily activities very difficult. I have no family here in the USA and was hoping to have my parents here during this transition and through my recovery. My parents were refused a U.S. visa at the end of December due to the new travel ban. My baby is my parents first grandchild and now they are extremely heartbroken since they are unable to be here for her birth. My mother has been in USA on a tourist visa before and they have both previously traveled abroad many times. We are devastated, and heartbroken since we are unable to share the emotional moments of the birth of our child with my parents. Words cannot describe how we feel.

"We as couples cannot fully be together until a final decision in this situation has been made."

Nari

"We as couples cannot fully be together until a final decision in this situation has been made."

Mania Aghdasi

On December 9, 2017, my father Zartosht passed away before knowing that his visa would be refused. He died after patiently waiting 16 months, hoping to have his visa and dreaming to see his only grandson in US. On September 28, 2016, my only brother, and my only father’s son, passed away. He had been battling brain cancer for two years. This loss was devastating for both my father and I. I became severely depressed wanted to be with my father, who was living in Iran, where my brother and I had grown up together. I had immigrated to the United States in 1999. I become a citizen of this country in 2006. Since I had now been a United States citizen for many years, I thought it would be a relatively simple matter to invite my 78 years old father to my house, to visit my son and me. On October 14, 2016 my father went to US embassy in Yerevan, at my request, to apply for visa. A clerk who interviewed my father at the embassy told him that it would take no more than three months for his paperwork to be processed, and for him to be granted permission to visit his only remaining family here in America. I happily began to prepare a room in our home for his stay, and eagerly awaited the news that he would be joining us. The hope helped relieve some of the pain from which I was suffering, as I thought we would soon be together again, and to comfort one another in our grief. Three months went by, and we heard nothing. I was concerned because I had heard there was a travel ban in place. I sent an email to the embassy to ask what his status was. They responded that because of high demand, it take up to more from its initial to me to obtain permission to travel. During that time, my father who was the most hopeful and positive person in the word, used to give me hope by promising that we would be together and he will finally come to United States to see my son and me. After six months, and nod hearing nothing further, I sent a letter to our local congressman, Jerry Mcnerney, White House, United States Department of State, and to the US embassy to consider the matter, but we did not receive any helpful response. During my study in United States I learned that the goal of graduate school is to help the individual become a critical thinker, to think outside the box, to become a good human being, to be a problem solver, and to have a professional view, while in response to my letters, I did not received even one helpful letter concerning about the hardship my father and I were going through. All the responses I had received were cold, inhumane, heartless, and cruel. Meanwhile, the Trump administration’s first, and second travel ban happened, which made us more worried about separation. During that time, I was in the constant fear of being torn apart: not seeing me father again, or choosing between my son in the US or my father in Iran. During the past 16 months, I was constantly calling my father to make sure he is okay. He was hiding his pain away from me and always advising me to be patient and hopeful. “Be patient I promise to come and see you,” he once told me, “When you see seven birds flying together then it means I can have my visa.” For past sixteen months I have kept looking at the sky to find those birds. When a friend of mine called me a few months to let me know my father is very depressed, I could not believe it. I was video chatting with him everyday, and he was pretending he was okay. I rushed to Iran to see him during my Thanksgiving break. What I saw was unbelievable, he was very weak and deeply depressed. I told him that I got him a lawyer who will fight for our right so he can come and join us soon, but for a first time he did not say anything. When he looked at me in the eyes, and I saw a deep disappointed in his face. It was that night we heard about Supreme Court approving the recent travel ban decision. When I was returning to the United States, I kissed him and told him again how much I love him, and that I will see him soon. He looked at me with the same sadness. My father passed away in his house one week after I came back to the United States, and I lost my father, the only family I had after losing both my mother and only young brother to cancer. My father died of a broken heart, that, after so much time, he has given up hope that we were ever going to be together again. I write this now to let you know that my father no longer need the US visa, and also I do not need your fake condolences. Both the embassy, and the U.S. department of state, let us down when we most needed our government’s help. I strongly believe my rights got violated, not only in the first place when my father went to the US embassy, but also over and over again during this last 16 months until he died. My father died from disappointment and depression. I clearly stated my situation and the hardship we went through in my letters to the White House, US Department of State and US Embassy. I also clearly stated my frustration at the neglecting of my father’s case with them, but they did nothing to help us. I strongly believe that they are responsible for all the hardships and grief my father went through, and also his death. I strongly believe my basic right to have my father in my home was subjected to political matter, hatred, and discrimination. I don’t doubt, also, that there are many others whose hopes have been dashed by what I perceive to be an uncaring, unfeeling bureaucracy.

I want my parents to come and visit me during my PhD studies.

Niloofar

I am a PhD candidate came to US to just study. I want my parents to come and visit me during my PhD studies. I’m only child and currently my mom has gone into a depression for not seeing me for a while which is going to get worsen… If I go back, there is no guarantee they will issue me a new visa which may cause me losing these past 2.5 years with nothing.

They separated me from my wife and newborn baby.

Sam

They separated me from my wife and newborn baby. They can’t come here and live with me. I can’t go back…

MARYAM

Maryam

We have been getting married more than three years, I’m living in the USA and I was applying for him in March 2015, my husband case was in process around 2 years and more than a year his case is under Administrative processing. We are apart more than 3 years and It's hard for us this distance relationship! Please help us with this travel ban!

Hanieh

Hanieh

My name is Hanieh Deilamsalehy and I recently started working at Microsoft as a software engineer on F1-OPT (Optional Practical Training). In 2012 when I sat on the seat in that one-way plane from Tehran to Chicago, I couldn’t hold my tears back anymore. I had put together all my life’s savings, said goodbye to my family and friends and was going to follow my dream and study Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering at Michigan Technological University. I was sad and excited at the same time, but in that very moment, more than anything I was feeling extremely lonely and missing my family like never before. With a single-entry visa and no US consulate in Iran, I knew going back home to visit my family was not an option. I had to first go to a third country to re-apply for my visa and it would always be associated with the risk of long administrative process; therefore missing the following semester at school and potentially losing my scholarship. In addition, this whole process of going to a third country makes the trip very expensive for a student and I could not afford it. Ever since 2012, I have never visited my family and friends in Iran. Even though I have made great friends in the US in these years, I still experienced that heavy heart feeling many times, especially during holidays when everybody was spending time with their families, wishing I could be with mine. In May 2018, I will officially graduate and walk at the university commencement ceremony and my mom was supposed to come visit me after years. She went to the US consultant in Dubai for the tourist visa interview in Nov 2017 and was instantly approved. However, she didn’t pick up her visa immediately because after visa issuance, there is only 3 months time period to enter the United States and she was planning to arrive in time for my graduation ceremony in May 2018, so the officer at the consultant told her to pick it up around January 2018. Her and me were both very excited and planning the things we want to do during the three weeks of her visit. She was so proud to get to see her daughter become a Dr. and I cannot put in words how heart warming the thought of my mom being in the crowd at the graduation ceremony and me waving and smiling at her was for me. Unfortunately, this all got changed over one night. After Supreme Court’s order on Dec 5th 2017 that allows the third version of President Trump’s Travel Ban to take full effect, she cannot come to the US anymore, even though she was originally approved in Nov 2017. She has been planning her trip for a month now and even purchased her non-refundable flight to the US. This is extremely heartbreaking for both of us. I do not know for what crime my family and I are being sentenced and punished, and how my parent coming here to watch me get my Ph.D. degree is a threat to anyone. People like me have no voice, and I’m deeply thankful that ACLU is our voice. All I want is to be able to see my family once in a while, and I do not think this is too much to ask.

SARA

Sara

I am an adoptee from Iran. I was legally adopted in the courts in 1974 by US citizen parents. I have been living in the US since I was 3 years old. I found out that I don’t have citizenship after all these years. USCIS didn’t file or document the lawyers naturalization forms. The lawyer secured citizen status with social security & finalized my adoption. Due to the Child Citizenship Act of 2001 I’m unable to secure citizenship thru my parents. My only hope for citizenship is filing an 1-130 and petitioning as an alien relative thru my mother. I’m petitioning for a visa as if I’m immigrating to US even though I have lived almost my entire life here. It’s absolutely horrible to be denied citizenship. I don’t know what this ban will do to my 1-130 on file. I don’t know if I will be denied a visa. I’m an American who is trapped and denied my rights first by a congressional loophole and now a travel ban.

NISRIN ELAMIN ABDELRAHMAN

Nisrin Elamin Abdelrahman

The United States has been my home for 25 years now, but last January I was among the first to be detained under the Muslim ban, simply because of my Sudanese citizenship. During my detention, I witnessed an officer tell an Iraqi man that he could be deported. The man was handcuffed and escorted into the same terminal I was being held in, minutes after getting off a plane from Sweden. He had waited for two years to receive a visa to be reunited with his partner and child. Another Iraqi man, who was an official translator for the US military was similarly threatened with deportation. I wondered how an officer could threaten to deport someone to a war zone that was created by the US government in the aftermath of its invasion of Iraq in 2003, knowing that they could face political persecution or even death. In 1939, the US turned away a ship carrying 900 Jewish refugees. 250 of them were later killed in the Holocaust. How was this any different? Being Black, I was also struck by how easy it was for an officer to body search and handcuff me while claiming it was standard procedure. The executive order legitimizing this procedure had been signed just a few hours earlier. How did our criminalization get normalized and justified so quickly? We were also told to ‘sit tight and be patient’ while being denied legal representation. And so we ‘sat tight’, as our partners and loved ones waited in agony on the other side of the airport border, with no sense of when they might see us again. The Muslim ban and the deportations that have been happening across our country for decades, are ripping families apart and impacting people’s lives in ways that numbers can never fully capture. 100,000 visas were revoked in January and with it, thousands were prevented from boarding their planes; people with families and jobs and full lives in the US; people who needed urgent medical care or wanted to continue their studies; people who had risked their lives and spent life savings to seek refuge in the United States. While I get to share my story with you because I was released, there are hundreds of thousands of people who do not have that privilege and so I ask that we fight these policies not because of their impact on the lives of individuals like me, but because this is about all of us and about the future of this country and its relationship to the rest of the world.

Tobin

Tobin

A couple years ago my brother met a beautiful Persian women who was living in Canada. They're both tech workers and have goofy senses of humor and really hit it off. Despite the distance between them, (My brother lived in Seattle, she lived in Quebec) they fell in love. They planned to marry and to both live near Seattle and the rest of my family. Instead, Donald Trump was elected and his proposed Muslim ban ruined their plans. They still married and my brother is now a legal permanent resident of Canada, living near Montreal, some 2,500 miles away. Although the various injunctions along the way may have allowed her access to the US, neither my brother or his wife are comfortable with her living in a country so hostile to her religion and national origin. It's sad for my family they're so far away, and a real shame for our country since they're highly skilled workers and excellent people.

"My husband has missed birthdays of my kids, their firsts in everything..."

Leyla K Zadeh

I am a physician in training doing my fellowship. I have two kids born in the US, 2 and 4 years old. My husband is a physician but trained back home in Iran. My husband has to travel to Iran because of his parents. Every time he travels it takes up to 8 months for him to come back. He has a visa in process now almost 8 months, they sent him an email 8 weeks ago that your visa is ready he sent his passport and 2 days later they said you need additional administrative processing. The same visa had an administrative processing which came back after 6 months. And they said it’s ready but when he sent his passport they said additional administrative is needed! My husband has missed birthdays of my kids, their firsts in everything, it’s sad that we both are physicians and here only for work and studying. The last email he got from embassy has tons of questions, for example all trips in last 15 years and locations you visited with name and duration of stay. Your social media username. Your family member information, and so on. It is not fair to treat someone like this.

"I just need my mom as any other girl needs them in this situation."

Elnaz

I am a student and also pregnant. I do not have any family here. Just me and my husband. This child will be our first child and I do not have any experience to take care of him/her at very first months. I need my parents to be with me and support me. I need to go to school to continue my residency which always was my dream. Now, I realized that all tourists visa applicants were rejected and there is no hope my parents to come here and stay beside me to support and help. They have appointment in 10 days and all night I have a dream that they are rejected and my husband and I have no idea what we should do with our baby and my residency is getting far and far from me. I just need my mom as any other girl needs them in this situation. I need her help and advice and her existence.

SEYED MOUSAVI

Seyed Mousavi

Arefeh - my fiancée - and I fell deeply in love during the time of my stay in Iran in 2016. Given how well we connected, as well as our families, and how fit we found ourselves for one another, we decided to get engaged and get married soon. She studies at the most prestigious university in Iran, UT, and is always a top performing student in her class. She's a lovely girl with such a pure heart, and at the same time, so fun and active; her lovely personality is exactly what made me feel deep in love with her. Months later, we threw an extensive engagement party and invited hundreds of guests to celebrate. Everyone knew, Arefeh would be leaving to the US with her fiance (being me), hoping to get married soon. She was never a big fan of the US, but I was sure she would love the country once she starts living for a few months. Our families bought them lots of gifts and their family bought ours. Everyone gets along so well and it's so beautiful to see to families, precisely absolute strangers, unite so well. And at the center of this union, a boy and a girl that match so well and so deeply want one another. I graduated USC, the nation's 21st ranked university with a degree in Business Administration and emphasis in Finance and Business Economics. Immediately afterwards, I started work at as an investment banker at one of the most well-known valuations firms in the country, Duff & Phelps, working in M&A and restructuring services. Despite recently having graduated from college (with honors), my expected annual income is $120K; top 2nd percentile income compared to my age group in the US. I'm of to a fantastic start and now I am on my way to becoming a millionaire before reaching the age of 30. In July 2017, after getting engaged with Arefeh, I returned to the US and promised her that things would work out soon. Being away from each other for 6 months, has been, undoubtedly, one of our greatest hardships in life. The nights that I hopelessly heard her crying over the phone, were difficult, as she told me that she missed me, as we waited for her visa application to be processed. I often didn't know how to comfort her, other than to say that she would come to the Stated and live next to me for the rest of her life, once her visa is processed. After months of separation, the day of her interview finally came. She flew to the U.S. embassy in Armenia for the interview. She was scheduled for December 7th. During the interview, Arefeh was so afraid of something going wrong... her fear brought tears in her eyes; her consular officer consistently reassured her that everything was ok with the application and there was no need to worry. He asked Arefeh to stay in Armenia for an extra day to pick up her processed Visa from the embassy. So we rescheduled her flight for 2 days after. Arefeh called me immediately after the successful interview; we were both so joyful and elated. We jumped up and down. My mom cried tears of joy after hearing. The day after, when President Trump's travel ban came into effect, they denied her the Visa. It was probably the most heart wrenching feeling we have both ever encountered. She returned to Iran without a Visa, as both of us and both our families in utter shock. I had dreams of starting my business career in the US, doing my MBA at Stanford, and continuing on to Venture Capital and later starting my own business. I hoped that Arefeh and I would live the American dream. Now, I am already in talks to move entirely overseas. I am already starting to make the arrangements. I cannot afford to live a life where the President of my country makes decisions that greatly harm me and Arefeh's lives; and discriminate against us solely on the basis of our nationalities. After the interview, Arefeh and I talked a lot over the phone. She asked me while in tears, "they think I'm a threat?" On the day I became a naturalized citizen, I was proud to have become American. I held up the American flag and waved with pride. I set up great goals and decided that I would be a valuable asset for my nation. Now that our nation seems to discriminate Arefeh and I based on our nation of origin, I no longer feel that I belong in the US. I don't feel welcome, and I believe I can no longer call this land, my home.

I’m an asylee from Iran. My father passed away right around the time the travel ban was issued. I hadn’t seen my father for 7 years and I didn’t get to say goodbye. My refugee travel documents would be expired in 2 months, so no country accepted to issue a visa for me. A refugee travel document is valid for a year but most countries require a passport to be valid for at least 6 months after the date of the intended travel. So every 6 months, I need to renew the damn document and wait four months for it to come. There was the ban, so the USCIS did not issue me a travel document to see my grieving family until weeks later. It took a couple of days for refugees to be exempted from the ban, my mom begged me not to leave the US. I guess after losing a husband, she could not bear losing a daughter. A year has passed but I’m still crushed by guilt. Before losing his speech, my father told me he would sit with me on the terrace and talk politics “when I returned home.” My dad is dead and I do not know where is home anymore.

Anahita

I’m an asylee from Iran. My father passed away right around the time the travel ban was issued. I hadn’t seen my father for 7 years and I didn’t get to say goodbye. My refugee travel documents would be expired in 2 months, so no country accepted to issue a visa for me. A refugee travel document is valid for a year but most countries require a passport to be valid for at least 6 months after the date of the intended travel. So every 6 months, I need to renew the damn document and wait four months for it to come. There was the ban, so the USCIS did not issue me a travel document to see my grieving family until weeks later. It took a couple of days for refugees to be exempted from the ban, my mom begged me not to leave the US. I guess after losing a husband, she could not bear losing a daughter. A year has passed but I’m still crushed by guilt. Before losing his speech, my father told me he would sit with me on the terrace and talk politics “when I returned home.” My dad is dead and I do not know where is home anymore.

LINDA SARSOUR

Linda Sarsour

This has been a difficult year for so many communities. This Administration has kept their promises and unleashed racist inhumane policies targeting communities of color, making previously targeted communities increasingly vulnerable in this new environment. Amidst the chaos, I have held on to an image that fills my heart with hope - the thousands of people who showed up at airports across the country demanding that we let in Muslim immigrants and refugees from countries placed on a ban by Trump. As a Muslim American who has been working to defend the rights of Muslims in the post 9/11 era, this act of solidarity was especially important and meaningful. As a Palestinian American, daughter of Palestinian immigrants who immigrated here from living under a brutal military occupation it was especially hurtful to see stateless Palestinians listed on the latest Muslim refugee ban. How can we deny a people who have suffered grave injustice from entering the United States, a country that welcomed my parents who wanted to raise their children in safety and security. Each Muslim ban has separated families, many of whom live in my community in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. For example, Yemeni American fathers longing for their children who are in visa limbo in countries like Ethiopia, Malaysia and Djibouti. The hardest thing for me as a mother has been explaining to my beautiful, aware, Palestinian Muslim American children why the country they love is banning people who look like them from coming here. How do I explain to teenagers why this administration has such disdain for them and their faith. I am grateful for our allies and their acts of solidarity that are helping my children and I cope with this pain and trauma. This administration has been relentless from putting forth four versions of Muslim bans to targeting undocumented immigrants in mass deportation sweeps to manipulative, hateful rhetoric against on our communities in response to terror attacks in order to pursue their white supremacist agenda. But Muslims did not need Donald Trump to remind them of the system-deep anti-Muslim sentiment that exists in our nation. Since the horrific attacks of 9/11, Muslim in America have been met with racial and religious profiling by all levels of law enforcement, unwarranted and blanket surveillance, deportations and registration programs, no-fly lists and an exponential rise in hate crimes against our communities or these perceived to share our faith. For so long, we were forgotten and our fellow Americans for the most part stood on the sidelines and our communities suffered in silence. But Muslim communities continued to organize and despite the fear-mongering we still managed to claim big victories including the passage of the Community Safety Act in New York City which created the first ever independent oversight over the New York Police Department and the incorporation of Muslim holidays in the New York City Public Schools calendar. But over the last year, I feel a shift. This year was the first time we saw mass mobilization of allies standing up for Muslims and fighting back against the racism and bigotry directed at Muslims in such a public way. My visible participation in the Women’s March on Washington, the largest single day protest in US history was another attempt at mainstreaming the communities I love and centering their issues as priorities for the resistance. I am so proud of the Muslim American organizers who have been doing this work for years and building the foundation for the resistance and movement we find ourselves in. I ask my fellow Americans not to be distracted by this President or his administration and to keep the focus on building power and protecting the most marginalized amongst us. We know our history. We know that many horrific things have happened on the watches of the American people because a silent majority turned a blind eye to grave injustice - commit to never being part of the silent majority. We are in this together.

I’m a US citizen. I love my country.

Abumohammed

I’m a US citizen. I love my country. My only problem is the fact that I been married since 2014 and I only got to spend 11 months with my wife total since that time. I spent everything I had to get my wife out of Yemen to Djibouti 4 months ago. Now 2 months after my interview they close the door in my face. Someone please help us innocent people.

"I'm so concerned about my family."

Mohammed

My name is Mohammed Elkher. I'm 28 years old. I'm a Libyan Citizen. My Family left to USA in September 2016. I couldn't see them since that date. My father is in a serious health situation. I've been affected so hard with this BAN and I don't know what to do. I'm so concerned about my family.

"My family is heartbroken."

Arwa

I’m a US citizen. I love my country. My only problem is the fact that I been married since 2014 and I only got to spend 11 months with my wife total since that time. I spent everything I had to get my wife out of Yemen to Djibouti 4 months ago. Now 2 months after my interview they close the door in my face. Someone please help us innocent people.

Kristen

Kristen

I had finally found true happiness, when I met my significant other more than four years ago. Therefore, I had decided to marry the love of my life in 2014. My husband who is also my best friend, half and soulmate has encouraged my growth in every aspect of my being. He remains a vital and integral part of my life. Sadly, we have been separated for three long years due to his lengthy immigration process! My husband and I also have a two year old daughter named ‘Alexandria.’ Though, he has already missed the two most precious years of her life. Unfortunately, now that the travel ban is fully enforced, it has the capacity to wreak havoc and destroy our family’s dreams and future. As my husband and I waited for his three year immigration process to conclude, we now face a harsh reality. All our efforts and all the precious time that we’ve been separated, are now worthless! My husband will not be able to successfully complete his immigration process, because he is currently being banned! His origin is being maliciously used against him, which is not only discriminatory but gravely inhumane. This predicament is extremely cruel, as it will continually keep our family separated with no ‘time limitations.’ I cannot fathom living a life without my spouse, as we are parents of a young daughter who needs her father emotionally, financially and to be able to grow up as a whole human being. Our family is like any ordinary family. We want a prosperous and successful future for ourselves and for our daughter, so as to attain happiness. This is our prerogative and it is what keeps us motivated. Yet, our dreams, which we worked very hard for, are being torn apart and ripped away from underneath us. As an American citizen, I should have the right to “pursue happiness,” which is stated in our constitution. Though, my fundamental right of being lawfully unified with my spouse is being prevented. This is not only an attack on my basic civil liberties, but an attack and violation of humanity! Thoughts of Korematsu loudly resonate, as my husband is being discriminated against based on his origin. The lessons of Korematsu were taught in classrooms not for just educational purposes, but so as to not let history repeat itself. The travel ban is an abomination in epic proportions. As it denies ‘due process,’ the ‘equal protections act,’ and is openly hostile to individuals based on their particular country of origin. Spouses being separated from the loves of their lives, parents being banned from seeing their children grow up, is an affront to humanity. It is cruelty you simply cannot comprehend. Our family is suffering from this travel ban on a daily basis, as we grapple with an unknown future. It is in the unknown, which causes the most devastation in one’s life!

Bobby

Bobby

My name is Bobby, I am a proud U.S. citizen living in California. I have not seen my father for 14 years. He never had chance to visit my brother, my 17 years old sister and I here in the States. He only has 2 sons and a daughter who are living in the state of California. I applied for an immigrant visa in January 2017. We went through all the processes and fees. Now because of the ban he can not join us. This is not fair. I worked hard and achieved so much in my life. I got married, I bought a house. All I want now is to have an opportunity to see my father here. I want to show him what a great country I am living in and how proud I am to be an American citizen.

Rouya

Rouya

In 2013 I met my Iranian fiancé here in San Diego while he was visiting his family. As fate would have it we fell in love. After our engagement, in February 2016 I filed an I-129F Petition for Alien Fiancé with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Our petition was processed and approved on April 2016. We were interview on October 25, 2016 at the U.S. embassy in Abu Dhabi; we were congratulated by the officer and was told to wait for routine administrative processing which should take about four months. It has been fourteen months since and our case still remains in administrative processing. My fiancé and I have suffered irreparable physical, emotional and psychological harms throughout this time. I can provide evidence if need be. I have worked for the government most of my adult life and am currently employed at the County of San Diego’s Public Works Department as an Environmental Planner. I am a law abiding citizen. I always try to do the right thing, leave people better than I found them, and help whomever is in need without prejudice towards their race, religion or nationality. I am not expecting to be rewarded for being a good citizen, but since “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal,” I am expecting to be treated fairly without discrimination towards my background, religion, race and nationality. My fiancé is an incredibly smart and well-educated person. He graduated in 2015 with a Master Degree in Aerospace engineering from Sharif University of Technology and has never worked for the Iranian government. In no conceivable way would he be a threat to the United States. In fact he will be a great asset to this country. We have been through more than our fair share since I applied for our K1 visa. The Muslim Travel Ban series have taken a true emotional and financial toll on us, but we have tried to stay strong, be patient and persevere. Iranian people are being punished for something they have never done and are being stereotyped against. It is obvious that United States’ government has issues with the Iranian government, but why are the people being punished? Iranian people are amongst the most educated people in the United States and have contributed to this country’s science and technology numerous times. As the Department of Defense itself has mentioned, this ban will not protect the United States’ security and will only separate families and cause irreparable harm to United States citizens. This great nation was built on a promise based on the premise that every human has been “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” I ask you kindly to ponder on why is it that I, a law abiding citizen of these United States, must be punished for committing no crimes? Our Founding Fathers state in the Constitution that “That to secure these (God Given, unalienable) rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,” then why is the government omitting the rights of thousands of Americans with certain racial backgrounds and biasedly discriminating against them? I respectfully ask you to please take in consideration all the innocent families that are being kept apart during this legal battle between the Iranian government and the United States. Please don’t let the 1920’s history of ban on Japanese Immigrants repeat itself.

"We are NOT Terrorists."

Arya

I have not seen my family in 6 years, we were in the middle of the process of petitioning. I just want to see my family again. We are NOT Terrorists.

Ahmed

Ahmed

I had my visa approved April 30, 2017. While I had bonafide family relationship in USA, no visa found due to my being Muslim and Somali. My children don’t know what happened. They are always asking me why. I don’t know the answer. It could be fine if I could get an answer to my children. Thanks to all who advocate to this case.

I was born and raised in the US and I am very heartbroken to be discriminated against and separated from my soulmate just for a mere visa that is delayed due to discriminatory policies, I really hope this nightmare is over soon so my wife and I can start our family here in the United States.

Ali

My wife’s CR-1 Visa application process began in September of 2015 and now it is almost 2018 and until now she is still not in my arms, I miss her so much. Even though we went through numerous background checks with USCIS and all documents were submitted correctly, including an interview at the Jerusalem consulate which at the conclusion of it she was told everything went great. She was asked for her passport and was told to just wait a couple months at most. I can’t work, sleep, I’ve lost so much weight and I have gone through depression because of being separated from my wife. I was born and raised in the US and I am very heartbroken to be discriminated against and separated from my soulmate just for a mere visa that is delayed due to discriminatory policies, I really hope this nightmare is over soon so my wife and I can start our family here in the United States.

Mehrshad Alexander Mehrdad

Mehrshad Alexander Mehrdad

My name is Mehrshad Alexander Mehrdad, a U.S. citizen born 10/02/90 residing in Irvine, Ca. I have been awaiting the arrival of my fiancé, Melika Nazar since 03/2016. We were first introduced by our mothers early 2015 who were childhood friends. Shortly after our introduction, Melika and I quickly forged a relationship predominantly using Telegram, Viber, Whatsapp, Skype, and imo. These telecommunication platforms became an essential part of our lives, as the both of us became wholly committed to a long-distance relationship. With every passing day, we realized the many similarities we shared and admiration and infatuated with one another. On Nov. 20, 2015, my father and I traveled to Iran with the primary intention of meeting my potential soul mate. After arriving in the country and seeing her in person, I knew, that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. Subsequently, my father and I formally asked her parents for their daughter’s hand in marriage. Alexander and his fiance On 03/2016, I filed a petition for a fiancé visa. Melika's acceptance arrived on 04/2016. In early 09/2016, my immediate family and I traveled to Iran for short two weeks and with a beautiful ceremony we then announced our engagement to both of our families. On November 1, 2016, Melika successfully completed her visa interview. However, Melika’s fiancé visa status continues to remain unchanged from “administrative processing” even after a year from her visa interview. In 10/2017, out of desperation and sanity and risk of losing my job I made another trip to see my loved one. Since my departure she has been ill and struggles with depression, I am also emotionally and financially exhausted. I have been trying every available option to find out about her visa status, the U.S. State Department has notified me that it is out of their control.

"because of the travel ban, which was implemented the same morning as their appointment, they were denied their visas."

Sepideh

My parents were rejected for a b1/b2 visa on December 8, 2017, at the Yerevan Embassy for the second time. The officer told my parents that they had all of the requirements needed for a visa, but because of the travel ban, which was implemented the same morning as their appointment, they were denied their visas.

Brian Swank

Brian Swank

I first met my fiance Mehraneh about two and a half years ago at college in New York, where we were both studying Landscape Architecture at the time. Ever since the first time I met her, I was deeply enthralled by her kindness, charm, and intelligence. I asked her out on a date, and more and more after that, and naturally, we had fell deeply in love. After introducing each other to our families, fun adventures, and spending endless unforgettable moments together, I knew that Mehraneh would always be extremely special in my life and I could clearly picture her as my wife. As time went on, both of us deeply in love with one another, we unsurprisingly began to talk about a future together and getting married. I knew early in our relationship that she is my soulmate and always have considered myself the luckiest man in the world to have found her. When the time came for Mehraneh to go back to Iran, it was the most heartbreaking experience in my life. However, even though we cannot hold each other in our arms every day, we bridge the distance by phone, video call, text, and email every single day. We have celebrated our birthdays and our anniversaries through video call and take photos with each other’s birthday cakes surrounded by photos of us together amd mementos of our love. This separation is extremely difficult for us emotionally but our love for one another and dreams of a happy family together in the future are what keep us going. Mehraneh is currently in Iran and I am in the process of a K1 fiancé visa to bring her here to the US to get married and see our dreams of our own happy family come true. We have been planning our life together for years now with hopes of owning our own home, having kids and a puppy. The implementation of this presidential proclamation has caused so much emotional stress for us, and we fear that our dreams of being together here in the United States may not be able to come true. America is considered the land of the free, but I feel that my freedom is being robbed from me when I can not be with the woman I love. I am extremely lucky to have found my soulmate in life, I cannot lose her and my dreams to this discriminatory policy.

"My kids are the only grandchildren of my parents in law."

Kaveh

I am residing in USA since 2013. I have a H1B visa, and I am working for a company at California. I have my second daughter on December, 08, 2017. My first daughter is three years old now and needs lots of attention. On Sep, 25, 2017, my parents in law applied for US visa in Dubai to visit us and to be with us during the delivery time. Their case are in administrative processing. My wife really needs her parents to be with them during this time with a newborn and a three years girl at home. My kids are the only grandchildren of my parents in law. P.S.: I should also mention that my parents in law got US visa on 2014 from US Embassy in Yerevan, and they have visited US for 6 months three years ago. Both of them passed the administrative processing on that time.

Amirhesam

Amirhesam

I am a US citizen. My husband is an Iranian national. We had applied for the spouse visa last year. We had remained hopeful until the announcement that all Immigrant visas were to be denied, even with a bona fide relationship. As of today, I am a student the California State University of Northridge. I have just one academic semester to terminate my bachelor’s degree, but this stressful situation has adversely affected my concentration and motivation to continue this way as my husband is outside of the US. I’m afraid that my husband would not be able to come here by my side because of these restrictions (Travel Ban). Currently, I have a lot of undue hardship and problems in my life without him. I have to do working part-time and studying my courses together. Definitely, I need my husband here by my side to pursue my objectives. My objective is to continue my courses towards Doctorate’s degree in physical therapy. Hence, I need suitable financial and mental conditions. We have both spent our savings on trips to see each other as being apart for months at a time is unbearable. I have been having anxiety attacks and the stress is simply crippling because the future is so uncertain.

"My sick wife has been traveling through desert, seas and borders..."

Mohammed

My sick wife has been traveling through desert, seas and borders risking her life in many occasions to join her US citizen husband yet to find out at the US embassy that she is banned.

Crystal

Crystal

I met my husband on a trip to Turkey. He is a good, hardworking man. The problem? He is a Syrian refugee and Muslim. We kept hoping the ban would be permanently stopped so he could join me in the States. With no solution forthcoming, I must move overseas to be with him. I don't mind, really, but the financial difficulty of me moving there is greater than bringing him here. I have a daughter to consider as well. I am not sure how things will play out, but I pray that the ban is stopped, and those fleeing persecution and death can find the safety and freedom America was supposed to embody.

Mohammed

Mohammed

I am from Yemen and I live in India for studies. I have finished Bachelor in Computer Application and Master in Business Administration. Anyways I have won the DV lottery by chance. I thought that I am the most luckiest guy in the world that I finished my studies then I won this program. I started to dream about my future in most greatest country, America. I preparing my documents and all the required list for the interview. I had my interview in 11/13/2017. I submitted all the required documents but consular officer said that your case is under administrative processing. I felt that like my dreams will be destroyed because of this travel ban.

"We cancelled this educational and cultural exchange tour because it was too uncertain..."

Lacey Sloan

I am a professor in the United Arab Emirates. I had a study tour arranged for 20 social work and human service students to New York when the ban was announced. We cancelled this educational and cultural exchange tour because it was too uncertain given how quickly the ban occurred and I had two students from Yemen. One of them is a blind student who I wanted to see snow before she loses all her eyesight. It was a great loss for us and for the US students in Buffalo with whom we were going to meet.

"Not even my mother can come visit me here. This really makes me disappointed in the government I am working for..."

Ehsan Mahmoody

I came to U.S about 5 years ago as a student. I finished school and got a job. I am working on government projects, utility substations, designing infrastructure of the country I love. Now, after 5 years that I couldn't meet my family and I can't go to Iran to too, because I don't have permanent residence here. Not even my mother can come visit me here. This really makes me disappointed in the government I am working for.

"My mom missed my engagement party because they refused to issue her a visa..."

Hamid

My mom missed my engagement party because they refused to issue her a visa... it would’ve been her second time that she had visited the US, but that never happened.

Mohamad Mashta

Mohamad Mashta

2017 came in phases -- shock, fear, hope, and waiting. When Donald Trump first announced his ban in January, I couldn’t believe it. My wife and I were in the visa process for her to join me in Ohio. My wife and I were both born in Syria. At the time, she was living in Sudan, having left Syria for safety because of the civil war. I told myself that the ban was temporary and would only last 90 days. But at the same time, my vision and understanding of my life began to shift -- for the first time since I immigrated, I was no longer sure that the U.S. was my home. Each day following the ban’s announcement, it felt like I was being sent a message: People like me were no longer welcome here. At my work, as an engineer in an automobile manufacturing plant, I felt like I had to defend my religion, my nationality, and my right to the life that I built in this country, one that I wanted to share with my wife. I spent my days in a fog, trying to somehow show to the world that I was not bad, that I did not deserve to be banned. My night were filled with worry that my wife and I would not reunite. The second phase began when my wife interviewed for her visa and was placed in administrative processing. We had no idea when it might end--and most important, whether it would end, and we could get the visa, while we were still protected by the courts' injunctions blocking the ban. It felt like someone wanted to keep us apart. Waiting, with neither approval or denial, was so difficult. We started to think about moving and starting a life in a new country. After months, my wife received a call on October, 11 from the U.S. embassy. By this time, President Trump had issued the third Muslim ban. It could stop her from ever coming to the United States, but it had not yet gone into effect. The embassy told my wife to bring her passport so that she could get her visa, using the exact words to come “before the proclamation goes into effect on October 18.” Her visa was stamped on October 16 and I booked her flight out of Sudan on the very same day. My wife went from the embassy straight to the airport. On October 17, my parents, my sister, and I met my wife at the airport. We were so happy. In that moment, I felt that living under uncertainty of the ban had been a terrible experience, but not one that broke my family. Along the way, each court victory kept us afloat. They made me have faith in the First Amendment, that rights in America were stable and solid. Reuniting with my wife was the light in a dark year. Still, we are not sure what the future will bring. We still have family affected by the third ban, like my wife’s father who cannot come visit us. Because I know how it feels to not know when you will see your loved ones next, I am committed to sharing my story.

Which part of this ban is securing Americans? Keeping out a musician?

Hamid

I got a contract to work with my film director friend in Portland. Got all evidence together for an o-1 visa case then the ban came: blocked, unblocked, blocked, unblocked. What is this? Which part of this ban is securing Americans? Keeping out a musician?

Ahmad

Ahmad

My wife and I are American-Syrian citizens. My wife's family lived through the worst of the Syrian Civil War. It became unlivable with concerns for safety, genocide, and lack of basic life necessities such as running water, electricity, gas, food and more. We have patiently waited for the immigration process to bring them over. My mother-in-law got the green card fairly quickly and immediately applied for her daughter who was 17 at the time. My father-in-law just recently obtained his permanent residence after 2.3 years of waiting! And it was only because a federal judge in Hawaii struck down the ban that he was able to get it. The last person left in my wife's family to immigrate is her now 21 year old sister who has never lived alone or left the country (except to neighboring Turkey). If she is not allowed to get the VISA, then she is stuck in Syria and our family will be separated as she cannot be left alone in Syria! We are praying she gets a waiver!

Farshad

Farshad

I just want to live with my love like all the people. I am U.S. resident and haven't seen my spouse for 15 months. We need help.