4 days ago
African immigrants in Maryland share concerns over Trump's travel ban impact
LANDOVER, Md. (DC News Now) — Some concerned African immigrants who live in Prince George's County are worried about President Trump's new travel ban and how it could impact them and their families.
Sonia Staples grew up in Sierra Leone but moved to the United States as a teenager and lives in Prince George's County. She often travels to visit her family, but is concerned about how the President's travel ban could impact her.
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'I feel like Sierra Leone is being picked on. What bothers me about this is that I was planning to go visit Sierra Leone in August, but right now I am very apprehensive about going because I don't know what the impact is. As an American, will they stop me from going?' Staples asked.
Travel to the United States has been partially restricted for citizens from Sierra Leone. A Prince George's County spiritual leader who is the Imam at the Sierra Leone Jamaat Mosque, Teslim Alghali, is also worried.
'This now means what is going to happen. We just got this, and we don't know that much of what this entails. Our country of Sierra Leone is on the partial list of countries with a Partial Trump ban'.
Alghali says that because of his concerns, he decided to visit his County Councilor Wala Blegay for support and guidance.
'Our biggest concern for African residents here who are planning to travel back and forth, and we have concerns for those who have pending applications for status, but this one impacts even those with green cards and those who are residents here planning to travel,' Blegay explained.
Sonia Staples tells DC News Now she is hoping her country will be removed from the list.
'We are a peaceful nation, and we don't have terrorists. We just have law-abiding people who go about their business here and in Sierra Leone.'
The travel ban goes into effect on Monday.
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