Arizona refugee advocates are expressing concerns about the new travel ban imposed by President Donald Trump’s administration, which affects 12 countries and limits the re-entry of families separated due to military efforts against terrorism. The ban applies to citizens of Afghanistan, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
The Arizona Refugee Center, which has resettled over 80 families connected to the Operation Allies Welcome effort, is particularly affected. CEO Julianna Larsen stated that the ban will cause “chaos and devastation” among these families, who are now barred from reuniting with their loved ones in the US. One family’s story highlights the issue: Abdul, an Afghan man who arrived in 2021, has most of his family reunited except for his eldest son, who is still overseas due to a delayed visa process.
Larsen believes that the ban will harm national security and break promises made by the government years ago. She argues that special immigrant visas are a separate process, forcing individuals to start over. The Arizona Refugee Center has called on the administration to reconsider its policies and prioritize family reunification.
Source: https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news