Trump ban hinders UAE teen's plans to meet mum

Abu Dhabi - Najlla, whose parents got divorced eight years ago, lives with her father Sufian Awad in Abu Dhabi while her mother is in the US.

The very name Donald Trump brings tears to Abu Dhabi-based teenager Najlla Sufian.
The 14-year-old from Sudan is inconsolable ever since the new US President signed the executive order barring Muslims from seven countries from entering the US for a 90-day period.
Najlla, whose parents got divorced eight years ago, lives with her father Sufian Awad in Abu Dhabi while her mother is in the US.
"My daughter is heartbroken and I don't know how to console her. She does not even understand what is going on," said Awad, who has the custody of his daughter.
The 40-year-old Sudanese father said he was about to apply for her green card this week when the new 'Muslim vetting' was introduced.
"I had even fixed an appointment with a lawyer to start the paper work for Najlla's green card, which she is eligible for because her mother is a US citizen," said the single-dad who is a real estate professional.
"I had plans to send her to the US for her university studies. But now everything is in a limbo. We do not know what will come out of this 90-day ban," added Awad.
Najlla has never been to the US as her mother always visited her in Abu Dhabi.
"I never sent her alone to US. Now we do not know when her mother can come. My daughter is worried she will never be able to see her mom. That will be terrible," said the Sudanese a real estate professional.
The mom and daughter are having a digital relationship now. "They are always on Skype and Whatsapp. But they have to see each other often," said Awad.
The Trump brand of bigotry is affecting his extended family too. His sister was married to an American citizen and has four children from him.
"She is divorced and lives in the UAE with her four children. Now none of the them can fly to US to see their dad. The human cost of this 'Muslim ban' is immense and we are just a tiny example," said Awad.
anjana@khaleejtimes.com