Sumeya’s Story

A Green River student uses her personal story to explain the struggle and harsh reality of President Trump’s travel ban.

Sumeya Arbi, 19, is originally from Somalia, but traveled to America for higher education. She lived in Norway for 12 years and completed her high school education there before coming to Green River.

Her journey to America wasn’t easy. Sumeya’s parents fled the home they loved due to a civil war that occurred in Somalia. They lived in a refugee camp located in Kenya. After having children, they wanted a better lifestyle. Her parents migrated from Somalia when they had the opportunity. Eventually, they left Kenya and went to Norway.

For the short amount of time that Sumeya has been in America, President Trump’s orders have affected her and her family. His travel ban has personally affected Sumeya.

Sumeya expressed the struggles of the ban, especially how her family members are scared because many of them want to come to America to pursue their dream of a better lifestyle but can’t now.

“It was just really sad and it’s crushing people’s hopes,” Arbi said. “I think Trump created this banner between us and our families and not seeing one another again.”

Another frustrating factor in this travel ban is not knowing when she will see her family again.

This ban is very unsettling for Sumeya and her family. Many questions get brought up such as: What’s going to happen? Will we be reunited again? Will this be forever?

“All of these questions were never there before. It’s created this fear,” said Arbi.

Sumeya expressed how creating this travel ban stirs up hatred and negative views of America. She feels that a lot of people in America are opposed to the ban and don’t want to represent it just because of living here. Arbi explained how specifically people in other countries get hatred toward President Trump and America.

Sumeya also expressed how the travel ban is not something the President should focus on, but rather other problems in the country. These include the economy, poverty, job opportunities, etc.

The circumstances of the ban are frustrating for Sumeya and her family so they participated in a protest. This took place the first day after the ban and was in Seattle. Sumeya loved how the protest brought all people together and showed that those from other countries are welcomed.

“It’s beautiful seeing all of these people there,” Arbi said. “It didn’t make us feel like outsiders.”