DENVER – Colorado will receive far fewer refugees this year, according to the state’s Office of Economic Security.
In January, President Donald Trump issued an executive order barring U.S. entrance to people from seven Muslim-majority countries for 120 days and refugees for 90 days. That portion of the order was blocked by federal judges who said it unconstitutionally targeted Muslims.
Earlier this month, the administration issued a revised travel ban, this one focused on six countries. That order also was blocked on constitutional grounds.
While the travel ban has been suspended, Trump has capped the number of refugees who may resettle in the U.S. in fiscal year 2017 at 50,000. That’s less than half of the 110,000 ceiling set by the Obama administration.
Generally, Colorado accepts 2 percent of the national total of incoming refugees. So far this year, 296 refugees have resettled in the state, according to the Refugee Processing Center at the U.S. Department of State.
The cutback will have a lasting impact on Colorado refugees and their families, says Kit Taintor, the state refugee coordinator.
“We will see families that had hoped and been promised to reunite here not reunited because that number has been drastically reduced,” she said.
The Alkekhai family lives in a cramped Aurora apartment. Abdul Alkekhai and his wife, Fatima, work long hours cleaning hotel rooms to support their family and begin to fulfill their American dream.
“We are going to pay a higher price,” Abdul said. “It will be harder for us, but the reward will be our children’s education.”
They came from war-torn Syria where, five years ago, Abdul decided it was simply too dangerous for his family to stay.
“The fight is between two groups in Syria and they are controlling the people,” said Abdul. “They give you a choice – fight with us or we will kill you. So, our choice, are you going to stay or leave?”
Abdul and his family fled to Jordan where the family, including their married daughter, her husband and two small children, spent four years in a refugee camp. There, they were vetted multiple times by both international groups and the U.S. government to receive refugee status. But while the Alkekhais and their three younger children were allowed to come to the U.S., their married daughter and her family were not immediately authorized. Then came Trump’s travel ban.
“We thought maybe they could come,” said Fatima. “But after the order, we don’t know what is going to happen. I have lost hope.”
The Alkekhais keep in contact with their family in Jordan through Facetime on their cellphone, contacting them to see their grandchildren.
Their son-in-law, Ahmed, speaking from the camp, says he is near despair.
“When the ban happened, we lost hope of reuniting with our family,” he said. “We have come to Jordan together, we left Syria together, and we don’t have anybody else here as relatives. Now we are alone.”
And Ahmed says he believes the world is now immune to the suffering of millions of families like his: separated and isolated.
“We are humans. We feel we are not treated like humans anymore,” he said. “Our suffering is very common now. It’s something they’re used to.”
Despite the challenges and the hardships, and starting their lives over again, the Alkekhais are thankful they are safe in the United States. If they could, they would return to their home in Syria.
“Right now, the war is going on,” Abdul said. “There is simply no security, and we can’t go back. But If peace comes back to Syria, there is no doubt we would go back.”
The Durango Herald brings you this report in partnership with Rocky Mountain PBS News. Read more refugee stories at rmpbs.org/news.
