Amouna and her family have been waiting for years to bring their loved ones from Syria to the United States. After nearly five years apart, they finally saw hope. Her brother, sister-in-law, nephew, and mother had plane tickets, a flight number, and an arrival time. They were about to reunite, but then an executive order signed by President Donald Trump changed everything.
This order has disrupted refugee resettlement across the U.S., including Idaho. It has paused the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program and stopped the processing of all active refugee applications. This includes people like Amouna’s family, who had already been carefully vetted and were about to board their flights.
Amouna’s son, Abdullah, had saved money from his job as a truck driver to secure an apartment for his relatives in Idaho. He even paid for their rent and deposit in advance. They had already made major life changes—selling their belongings and ending their lease in Egypt in preparation for their new life in the U.S.
But with the sudden halt to refugee admissions, they are stuck. They now have to wait for word from the government on when they can finally come to the U.S. It is uncertain when they will receive new plane tickets, and their plans are left hanging.
The Executive Order and Its Impact
This executive order, signed by President Trump on his first day in office, suspends the Refugee Admissions Program. It is intended to review how refugee admissions should be handled in a way that aligns with the “interests of the United States.” For refugees like Amouna’s family, this means their hopes of reuniting with their loved ones are now on hold indefinitely.
In Idaho, where about 800 refugees are welcomed every year, this executive order has caused great concern. It impacts many people who have already gone through rigorous vetting and made plans to come to the U.S. Refugees from countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ukraine, and Afghanistan have faced delays, leaving them in limbo as they wait for the order to be re-examined.
Since the executive order’s announcement, 16 refugees scheduled to arrive in Idaho are now stuck. They had already been matched with sponsors who were ready to help them resettle in the state. But now they are left waiting, with no clear timeline for when they will finally be able to reunite with their families and begin their new lives.
A Call for Compassion and Fairness
Idaho’s refugee resettlement programs have always been supported by local communities. Churches, businesses, and local governments work together to help refugees start their lives over in the state. However, this executive order is forcing many families to wait even longer for a chance at a new beginning.
The U.S. has always been a country built by immigrants. This order raises important questions. Why are people who were already promised a safe place to live being forced to wait? Why should families like Amouna’s be separated any longer when they’ve already been approved and are ready to resettle?
There is support across the country for refugee resettlement. Polls show that most Americans, regardless of political views, support welcoming refugees. Christian organizations and bipartisan political leaders have urged the U.S. government to continue the refugee program. A report from the federal Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation even showed that refugees and asylees have a positive impact on the U.S. economy. They contribute billions in taxes and create new jobs and opportunities.
The Human Cost
For Amouna’s family, the human cost of the executive order is clear. Abdullah described how difficult it has been for his relatives, who have already made sacrifices and uprooted their lives in Egypt, only to see their plans canceled at the last minute. He said, “Imagine your family being separated from you for a couple of weeks. Now think about waiting for years like we have.”
The emotional toll of this uncertainty is hard to put into words. Refugees like Amouna’s family are not just waiting for paperwork; they are waiting for a chance to build a life free from war and violence. The hope that once shone brightly is now dimmed, and many families are left wondering if they will ever see the day when they are reunited.
What’s Next?
The executive order may be re-examined in 90 days, and officials are expected to discuss how refugee admissions can better align with U.S. interests. In the meantime, it’s important for Congress to support fairness and compassion for refugees like Amouna’s family. Idahoans, in particular, should be aware of the impact this order has on their fellow residents and be ready to advocate for those who are still waiting for a chance to live in the land of opportunity.
Amouna’s story is just one example of the pain caused by this pause in refugee resettlement. It’s time for the U.S. to honor its commitment to refugees and give them the chance to rebuild their lives in peace.
(Source : newsbreak.com)
