## Eight Years of Separation, Then a Closed Door: One Congolese Refugee’s Story

For eight long years, Mama Jolie (not her real name), a Congolese refugee, clung to the hope of reuniting with her family. Fleeing unspeakable violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo, she endured hardship and uncertainty, knowing her children were safe, resettled in the United States. Finally, after years of navigating complex bureaucratic processes, her own resettlement was approved. She was on the cusp of boarding a plane that would bridge the vast ocean separating them.

Then, in January of 2017, President Donald Trump signed an executive order temporarily halting the U.S. refugee program.

Mama Jolie’s world crumbled. The carefully constructed hope she’d nurtured for nearly a decade was suddenly threatened. The order, aimed at reviewing and strengthening vetting procedures, suspended refugee admissions for 120 days and indefinitely suspended the entry of Syrian refugees. While the initial ban sparked widespread legal challenges and revisions, the impact on individuals like Mama Jolie was immediate and devastating.

She was left in limbo, her visa approved but her travel plans indefinitely stalled. The emotional toll was immense. The joy of anticipating reunion turned into agonizing anxiety. Every news cycle brought fresh uncertainty. How long would the ban last? Would her visa expire? Would she ever see her children again?

Mama Jolie’s story, while individual, represents the plight of countless refugees caught in the crosshairs of shifting immigration policies. These are not just statistics; they are mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters with lives disrupted and families fractured. They are individuals seeking safety and opportunity, yearning to rebuild their lives after unimaginable trauma.

The effects of policies like the 2017 travel ban extend far beyond the immediate suspension of resettlement. They create fear and instability within refugee communities, erode trust in the resettlement process, and ultimately impact the very fabric of American society, which has historically benefited from the contributions of immigrants and refugees.

While the legal battles surrounding the ban have evolved, the human cost remains undeniable. Mama Jolie’s story serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for compassionate and humane immigration policies that prioritize family reunification and offer refuge to those fleeing persecution. Let us not forget the faces behind the policies, the individuals whose lives hang in the balance.

**Keywords:** Refugee, Congolese Refugee, Trump Travel Ban, Immigration, Family Reunification, Refugee Resettlement, Democratic Republic of Congo, Asylum, Refugee Crisis, Immigration Policy.