Chicago immigration news: President Donald Trump's new policies cause worry among refugees, asylum seekers in city, suburbs
Several refugee groups in the Chicago area are criticizing the Trump administration and new policies impacting those looking to call Chicago home.
President Donald Trump's administration recently made changes to the green card process and for those seeking asylum.
Amir Hamidi's Afghan dishes are so good, the chef helped feed U.S. troops during the war in Afghanistan. The refugee fled his country when the war ended in 2021.
Hamidi says he has done nothing but work since coming to Chicago. Last year, he opened his own restaurant on Devon Avenue on the city's Northwest Side.
"We had a plan to earlier to bring our family, but unfortunately anytime we see something improving big incidents happen," Hamidi said.
Speaking to ABC7 through an interpreter, Hamidi says his wife and 9-year-old daughter are left behind in Afghanistan.
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?"
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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.
