My Canadian passport is currently in the hands of the Iranian Interests Section at the Pakistan Embassy in Washington. I’ve been approved for am Iranian visa, so now I am just waiting for them to glue it in my passport so I can go to Iran on February 24th.
My understanding is that Iran has, or is considering, a ban on U.S. citizens entering Iran. Obviously, legally, this doesn’t affect me as a Canadian. But I am a little worried about what will happen when I come back to the U.S.. I’m afraid that some ignoramus, Trump-supporting border agent will have a problem with me, a green card holder, coming to the U.S. after being in Iran. I’ve been thinking about whether or not the trip is worth the stress.
I certainly won’t put my fears and issues up against the horrible problems being experienced by good people from the many countries that have explicit bans. But this is an issue that extends far beyond the people in the seven countries the ban applies to.
Additionally, my husband, who is Indonesian (and also a green card holder), is currently in Guatemala for an extra long weekend. He is due back Tuesday morning. I’m worried that he will be detained either in Guatemala or when he gets back to the U.S. because he is from a so-called “Muslim country.” We’ve contacted the immigration lawyer I used during my green card process, and she tells us to call her if anything out of the ordinary happens when he comes back.
I wouldn’t normally worry about it, but god only knows what impulsive EO Trump/Bannon could issue in the next three days. I was hoping to spend the weekend painting our condo. I’ll be spending it worrying instead. What a clusterf**k of a weekend.
I’m sure there are a few readers here who are going through issues far more serious than I am because of this stupidity. You have my sympathies. Best of luck.
P.S.: I donated $100 to the ACLU today. My way of helping people I don’t know deal with problems they’re going to experience that I couldn’t possibly fathom. If you can spare it, I’m sure they’re going to have a shit ton of expenses over the next four years – at least. You can donate here.