An Afghan refugee family who escaped the Taliban finds both freedom and fresh heartbreak in America as a new travel ban prevents them from bringing their niece to safety.
At a Glance
- Mohammad Sharafoddin and his family fled Afghanistan and resettled in Irmo, South Carolina after a perilous journey
- The family has thrived in America with community support, with their children excelling in school and the family learning English
- A new travel ban signed by President Trump affects 13 countries including Afghanistan, preventing the family from bringing their niece to America
- The ban includes exceptions for Afghans with Special Immigrant Visas who worked with the U.S. government
- The family’s story highlights both the success of refugee resettlement and the challenges of immigration policy
From Taliban Rule to American Freedom
Mohammad Sharafoddin and his family embarked on a harrowing journey from Afghanistan to America, fleeing Taliban rule and seeking security and opportunity. The family endured a grueling escape, traveling through several countries before eventually resettling in Irmo, South Carolina. Their journey included processing at Fort Pickett in Virginia, a military installation serving as a refugee processing center, where despite the challenges, they remained hopeful about their future in America. For the Sharafoddin family, the risks were worth taking to provide safety and educational opportunities for their children that would be impossible under Taliban control.
“I’m very happy to be here now, because my son is very good at school and my daughter also. I think after 18 years they are going to work, and my daughter is going to be able to go to college.”, said Nuriya Sharafoddin.
For Nuriya, Mohammad’s wife, America represents unprecedented opportunities. She is now learning English and driving—activities that would have been forbidden under Taliban rule. Their children have adapted well to American schools, marking a significant achievement in their integration. Afghanistan was a major source of resettled refugees to the United States, with approximately 14,000 arrivals in the year through September 2024, demonstrating the scale of the Afghan refugee situation.
Community Support Creates New Beginnings
The Sharafoddin family’s successful transition owes much to the generosity of their new community. Travis Ervin, a local resident, played a crucial role in supporting the family by providing essentials and ensuring their safety as they adjusted to American life. He helped overcome administrative obstacles, facilitating the children’s school registrations and supporting their educational journey. The family achieved fluency in English within two years, marking a significant milestone in their integration and opening doors to greater opportunities in their new homeland.
Thank you for all that you have done and are doing. May God bless you and your family as you build a new life in America. https://t.co/3OsM2YEhEp
— U.S. Ambassador to Albania (@USAmbAlbania) March 22, 2022
Southern hospitality proved transformative for the Sharafoddin family. Community members provided financial and material assistance, including the donation of a vehicle, exemplifying the community’s empathy and support. Simple cultural exchanges, such as learning American lawn care practices, helped the family adapt to everyday life in the United States. These acts of kindness created a foundation for the family to build a new life and demonstrate how community support can make refugee resettlement successful for both the newcomers and their host communities.
Travel Ban Creates New Barriers
Despite their successful integration, the Sharafoddin family now faces a new challenge. A travel ban recently signed by President Donald Trump affects Afghanistan and 12 other countries, preventing them from bringing their niece to the United States. The ban cites deficient screening procedures, refusal of countries to take back their citizens, and high visa overstay rates as justifications. While exceptions exist for Afghans with Special Immigrant Visas who worked with the U.S. government, the ban does not allow for extended family reunification, causing significant distress for many Afghan refugees who hoped to help relatives escape Taliban rule.
“It’s kind of shock for us when we hear about Afghanistan, especially right now for ladies who are affected more than others with the new government. We didn’t think about this travel ban.”, said Mohammad Sharafoddin.
The Sharafoddin family’s niece in Afghanistan can no longer pursue her education due to Taliban restrictions on female education. They had hoped to bring her to America where she could continue her studies and build a future free from oppression. The Taliban has criticized the U.S. travel ban as oppressive, adding another layer of complexity to an already difficult situation. Immigration experts are cautiously monitoring how the ban will be implemented, noting that family separation has been one of the most painful consequences of previous immigration restrictions.
