160: Looking for America, Longing for Family

Life can be very dangerous for Iraqis who have worked with the United States Army during the Iraq War. Even for those who leave their Iraqi homeland, in many cases, their families and relatives left behind still remain vulnerable. Such is the case of Noor, who has since immigrated to the United States, leaving her family behind in her motherland. Now in the process of becoming a U.S. citizen, Noor has come to feel at home in her new country. But one thing is missing: her family. Though Iraq has been removed from Donald Trump’s revised travel ban, which affects residents of six Muslim-majority countries throughout North Africa and the Middle East, the process for Iraqis applying for entry visas into the United States can still be arduous and quite time-consuming. Listen as Noor shares about her journey, her struggle, and the continuing desire to one day be reunited with her family on American soil. Please note that the subject’s name in this week’s story has been changed to protect her identity.