Sixteen months ago I wrote a blog declaring that it isn’t easy being an American under the leadership of President Trump. The ensuing months have made my position even more difficult. As President Trump visits Scotland this week I have been reflecting on his immigration policies and what they have meant for my family.
Over the past year and a half, my husband has used his experience as a doctor to spend time working in Mosul helping with the humanitarian crisis that existed when ISIS was finally “cleared” from the city. Temporary field hospitals were set up on the outskirts of Mosul and casualties from the fighting were transferred in for emergency treatment. He spent more than two months on the edge of this warzone with a UN appointed international medical team.
They worked long hours in austere conditions to treat and save many people. The security was tight while they lived in a small compound surrounded by guards and barbed wire fencing. He endured long days and hot dusty living conditions. He was there because of his expertise on treating gun shot wounds.
One day he had to treat a baby whose bullet narrowly missed her heart. He operated on men, women and children. He listened to heartbreaking stories of people who lost family members and their homes. Almost everyone was malnourished and starving. These patients had to make terrible choices while living in Mosul about whether to leave or stay - both dangerous options. Many of these casualties were injured from landmines or snipers as they chose to flee. At least they were offered medical treatment to save lives and limbs.
After his six weeks he arrived home exhausted but satisfied he was able to make a difference and save innocent lives. And that was that. He returned to his day job with the idea that one day he may do something like that again.
Then we went to book our summer holiday to America. We have a big family reunion planned for my mother’s 80th birthday this summer. My children and I are American citizens so we were straightforward. But as my husband is a British citizen, he had to apply for a temporary visa, know as an ESTA. We have done this many times in the past and it is usually a ten-minute process.
Not this time. They have added a line which now reads, “Have you been in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan…“
He applied for this ESTA in January and was given the response, “PENDING DECiSION. We will get back to you soon.” That was January. No decision has been made and there is no way to contact the department of Homeland Security to explain why he was in Mosul for six weeks on two occasions.
We are just another separated family, which seems to be of little consequence to the Trump administration. But we know we are the lucky ones. We have choices. When we feel it isn’t fair, it just brings us a bit closer to those who really are caught in unfair systems.