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Kitchener-Waterloo·Audio

Woman forced to leave U.S. by new order treated 'like a criminal'

As former K-W resident Salma Yarjani's sister, Sara, flew back to the United States on Friday, President Donald Trump was signing an executive order barring citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries. She landed too late to be permitted back in.

Sara Yarjani, not allowed into U.S. after returning from trip, held in custody then deported

Carmen Ponciano · CBC News ·
Salma Yarjani (left) and her sister Sara Yarjani (right) were among many who were affected by the recent U.S. travel ban barring citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States.

Since Friday, millions of people around the world have expressed anger and outrage after U.S. President Donald Trump issued an executive order temporarily barring citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S.

That move has created chaos for many families affected by the order, including those who already had the proper visas and paperwork.

Salma Yarjani, a former K-W resident who now lives in Ottawa, was of the many affected by the recent travel ban.

A protester holds up a sign reading: 'Support Our Muslim Brothers & Sisters' at a demonstration in front of the U.S. consulate in Toronto. (CBC)

Her sister, Sara, who was studying her Master's degree in the U.S., was not allowed back into the country after returning from a trip, despite having proper documentation. Her plane landed too late to beat the ban. 

"It's a very unfortunate situation and it's all based on no good reason, just the fact that we were born in Iran," Salma told CBC.

Listen to her story on the CBC audio page or use the player below:

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