In the heart of Chicago, refugee communities are voicing their concerns over the recent policy shifts initiated by the Trump administration, which significantly affect those aspiring to make Chicago their new home.
These policy changes primarily target the processes involved in obtaining green cards and seeking asylum, creating hurdles for many hopeful immigrants.
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Among those impacted is Amir Hamidi, a talented chef whose culinary skills once nourished U.S. troops during the Afghanistan war. Following the conflict’s conclusion in 2021, Hamidi sought refuge in the United States, leaving his homeland behind.
Since arriving in Chicago, Hamidi has immersed himself in hard work. His dedication culminated in the opening of his own restaurant on Devon Avenue, located on the city’s Northwest Side, just last year.
However, Hamidi’s dreams of reuniting with his family have been thwarted by these policy changes. “We had plans to bring our family earlier, but unfortunately, every time we see progress, major incidents occur,” Hamidi lamented.
Through an interpreter, Hamidi shared his distress with ABC7, revealing that his wife and 9-year-old daughter remain in Afghanistan, separated by policies that complicate family reunification.
President Trump’s crackdown on the United State’s refugee program resulted in more restrictions after an Afghan national was accused of killing two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., an incident Hamidi and other Afghans strongly condemn.
Hamidi is losing hope his family will rejoin him anytime soon. He fears for their lives and his.
“I’m also not good right now,” Hamidi said. “I feel I don’t feel safe, and every time I’m thinking about my business, my investment, about my life here, what will happen? What will happen with us?”
Uncertainty and fear has spread among thousands of refugees in Chicago, especially people from who came to the U.S. between 2021 thru January of this year. Trump is requiring additional vetting.
“Despite already enduring the most rigorous vetting process in the world, refugees are now being forced to once again, prove and even relive the persecution and traumas they fled,” said Fasika Alem with the United African Organization.
In addition, the Trump administration is pausing asylum applications, reducing work permits, re-examining green card applications and travel documents for people from countries on the president’s travel ban list.
“We have people who have worked for years to earn their citizenship in this country that they love, and they are now finding out that that final step, their appointment to take the oath of allegiance has been canceled,” said Sally Schulze, Refugee One communications director.
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As refugee organizations banned together Thursday to call attention to Trump’s policies, Hamidi and other refugees call America a great country to build a new life.
“We are working very hard since we are here,” Afghan refugee Siam Pasarly said. “We establish our businesses. We have my own staffing agency, we have this restaurant, we have tailor shop, we have mechanic shop, we have nonprofit organizations.”
Refugee organizations are weighing their options on whether they will take legal action against the Trump administrations additional refugee program.
