Thread by @RAICESTEXAS

No family should be separated b/c of their religion or where they're from—but that’s exactly what the Trump’s Admin's Muslim Ban is *still* doing.

We work directly with those affected by this racially discriminatory ban. We listen to their stories every day.

This is just one 👇🏾

Zach* came to the U.S. as a refugee from Iran 3 & half years ago. Before that he worked as a photojournalist in his home country of Iran.

During the Iranian Green Movement, he was working for a local newspaper which published some of his photos of people protesting.

Because of this ^ he was detained for a day and tortured.

Zach* was whipped 40 times for having done his job.

And to top things off: he faces a two year prison term if he returns to Iran.

In the midst of this however, Zach* got married to Lydia* 2 years ago, before the travel ban.

He's since filed a family petition for her--as she's currently living in Iran--& it was approved 1 month ago.

However, Lydia must now file a visa application with a waiver, the future of which is uncertain because of the administration's #MuslimBan.

"I've lived here 3.5 years without her...and now we have to wait for a visa & we're unclear about whether we can get it for her or not. All of this process is hard for us and I'm suffering, I feel depressed. It's hard to wait & not know if she'll even be able to come to the US."

"I am a permanent resident here but I have no right to live with my wife. I get asked why don't I just go back to my country but people in the US don't understand that I have no choice, I am living here because I have no other option, I came as a refugee."

Zach isn't able to return to Iran because of the 2 year prison sentence he faces upon return and Lydia is not able to come to the US without a visa, which the travel ban has deterred.

So they try to see each other in different countries (some of which require visas to enter).

"We try to see each other every 6 months in other countries and we spend a lot of money and energy that we don't have."

This shouldn't be the case for ANY family.

"I fear she will never be able to come to this country and that we will not be able to live together."

Zach* & Lydia's* lives have been on hold for 2 years b/c of the #MuslimBan.

We demand real action to #RepealTheBan. No family should go through this. nomuslimbanever.com/repealtheban-p…