Immigration directive stops local man’s reunion with his family

When he heard about the president’s order Friday, Naseem called his wife.

She didn’t answer. He tried again hours later. Still, nothing. And now, five days after Donald Trump temporarily banned all immigrants from Naseem’s home country of Yemen, he is still waiting to hear from her.

He understands she’s angry. He has sensed the exhaustion and impatience and fear in her voice for months. After years of waiting to become a permanent U.S. resident like Naseem, she moved her six children to Djibouti in August. Her husband told her she would be interviewed at a consulate within weeks, and U.S. immigration officials would grant them green cards soon after.

Every month, he told his wife and children to be patient, that the process would work – eventually.

Now, his kids call him a liar. And his wife won’t talk.