News from the Week of June 24th

As people protested the Supreme Court's travel ban ruling all around the nation, people in downtown Dallas joined in. One of those was Asad Shalami, a Muslim-American, an Afghan refugee, and a U.S. veteran. "When you are a minority and you go certain places in public, you get looks and stares. Especially if you're Muslim," said Asad. He’s concerned that more and more people are starting to view Muslims negatively because of the Trump Administration.

The U.S. workforce is feeling the impact of fewer and fewer refugees coming to America. Employers in industries like hospitality, manufacturing and meatpacking are facing labor shortages without new refugee arrivals. Mikey Knab, chair of Business for Good San Diego and owner of Ponce's Mexican Restaurant expressed his concerns and said, "The refugee community has been a place where we have found good employees who are committed and contribute in a positive way."

Fathi Farah, a Somali refugee in the United States is a father of a soon to be 2-year-old girl. However, due to a quirk in immigration law, his daughter was forced to remain in Ethiopia with relatives. Now, with the Trump Administration’s travel ban holding up in the Supreme Court it’s unclear when or if she can come to the United States. He is going to try to get a waiver for her, but he has concerns that the process will work in her favor.

An Iftar Community Unity Equality dinner in Arlington, VA recently took the time to thank U.S. veterans. The dinner was hosted by Islamic Relief USA and the Academy of United States Veterans. Imam Talib Sharif, a retired Air Force veteran joked that he is "not served out." He said that it's important to see oneself as connected with every individual in the world, through love, compassion, and mercy during Ramadan. Sherman Gillums, a Marine veteran, said holy month is a time to heal, a time to focus on equality and inclusion.

One of the devastating impacts of this week's decision by the Supreme Court is that it will likely bolster terrorist propaganda that America is anti-Muslim. John Bellinger, who served in the Bush administration supports this view, saying, "[the decision] will alienate our allies and damage our reputation in the world as a tolerant society."

Shannon Gaggero’s 6-year-old son of started a lemonade stand in their Atlanta neighborhood to help families separated at the U.S.-Mexico border. Combined with an online campaign and a bake sale run by his family, he raised $13,000. The money will be donated to the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Service. It’s moving story about what each of us can do, no matter our age, to help out the most vulnerable among us.