U.S. travel ban makes Iraqi-Canadians feel like 'a different species,' Calgary family says

AthbaSamarai and Khalidal-Zubidi cameto Canada as immigrants in2014 and have travelled to the U.S. regularlysince their arrival.

She works as an accountant and routinely conducts business south of the border. He has family living in the U.S. Their daughters, Maryam, 10, and Dima, 2,wanted to go to Disneyland for Christmas.

But now, all those plans are in doubt after President Donald Trump issued a suddenexecutive orderbarring citizens of seven countries from entering the U.S. including Iraq, where the couple is originally from.

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"It was very humiliating and it was very outrageous and it was not an act of a First World country," Samarai said during a rally in Calgary on Sunday in protest of the U.S. decision.

"And I cannot explain how angry, how disappointed, how afraid I am. Not only for myself it's for my family."

Samarailast travelled to the U.S. in October and said it was already a difficult process.

"They kind of put you under pressure ask you very personal questions and that was before the ban," she said.

"It'skind of like, now, we're a different species altogether."

Confusion reigned after Trump signed the executive order, which said people from Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Somalia, Syria, Yemen and Libya would be barred entry to the U.S. for three months.

It was unclear for some time how that would affect Canadian citizens or permanent residents who were born in those countries or those who hold dual citizenship.

Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen finally said on Sunday that the White House has offered assurances that permanent residents of Canada can enter the U.S. if they have a valid Canadian permanent resident card and passport from one of the seven affected countries.

Samarai and al-Zubidisaid they hold Iraqi passports and have used U.S. travel visas with no problems for years.

She was planning to travel to Dubai via Seattle for her sister's wedding in February and he was planning to visit his father and brother, who live in the United States,butnow they aren't sure if they will risk making the trips.

Born and raisedin Edmonton, Dr. Ameer Farooq, a member of the Alberta Muslim Public Affairs Council,told CBC Calgary News at 6 he planned to studyfor a master's degree in the U.S. but now may not.

"The thing that really bothers me about all this is thatTrump has normalized hatred," he said. "And I think once you've got that normalization from the head of your country, that certainly sends a message to people and makes people like us a target."

Travel confusion, chaos

Chaos persisted throughout the weekend at American airports, with travellers detained, relatives desperately searching for loved ones,and protesters gathering to condemn the executive order.

Locally, the University of Calgary has set up hotlinesfor students and faculty to help sort out how the restrictions will affect their personal and academic travels.

"Our university is based on diversity, inclusivity, and the free exchange of scholarship and ideas across international boundaries," U of C president Elizabeth Cannon said in a statement.

"These values are the foundation of great universities worldwide.Any restriction that prevents students and scholars from going abroad for study, teaching or research is deeply concerning, and has a profound impact not only on scholarship but also on family relationships of our university community members."

About two dozen people attended the rally in downtown Calgary on Sunday, many of them chanting, "No hate. No fear. Refugees are welcomehere."

Organizer and community activistGrant Neufeld described the U.S. president's executive order as "horrifying."

"We're seeing the rise of fascism, right effectively here on our own turf," Neufeld said. "We share this land with the United States and that's deeply troubling."

Samaraiandal-Zubidisaid they are especially worried for their relatives in the U.S., who arrived there as refugees from Iraq in 2008, and have described a growing sense of feeling unwelcome in their new country.

"I'm so happy to be here instead of anywhere else," al-Zubidi said of living in Calgary.

"Canada welcomes you."

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