In a northern Virginia coffee shop, a glimpse into Middle Eastern culture awaits.
However, President Trump’s travel ban has left the owner and staff feeling distressed.
Layla Atik, originally from Yemen, employs individuals from Afghanistan and Eritrea, all of which are among the 12 countries affected by the ban.
“I witness the challenges my colleagues face, and they are incredibly dedicated workers,” Layla shared with me.
“By coming here, they are contributing positively to this economy. They’re not here to create issues,” she emphasized.
Atefeh Aslami fears for her family’s safety if they return to Afghanistan.
Atefeh Aslami, an employee at the café, fled Afghanistan but now worries she may not receive asylum in the U.S.
“Returning to Afghanistan means the Taliban could kill us,” she stated.
“My children especially don’t want to go back; my daughter wouldn’t even be allowed to attend school.”
“This is a fight for our lives—my husband’s, my children’s, and mine.”
This coffee shop employs three individuals from nations included in President Trump’s restricted list.
As Zahir Moradi, her Afghan colleague, poured coffee from a cezve, he remarked, “If someone is trying to come here, it’s because they need support and desire a better life—that’s all.”
A wall adorned with the phrase “life begins” serves as a striking backdrop to a diverse selection of Middle Eastern delicacies and coffee.
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‘We don’t want them’ -Trump
This 2025 rendition of Trump’s 2017 ‘Muslim ban’ transforms the so-called American dream into a nightmare for countless individuals worldwide.
Last weekend, President Trump suggested that the firebomb attack in Boulder, Colorado, legitimized new travel restrictions.
Yet, a Vietnam veteran, who was enjoying a coffee with his family at the Virginia café, expressed skepticism about whether the new ban would enhance safety in America.
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Opposition to Trump’s travel ban
The veteran remarked, “I strongly believe in immigration and find it disheartening that we are deporting individuals who have done nothing wrong.
“They merely found themselves in unfortunate circumstances and were apprehended by ICE (Immigration Compliance and Enforcement).”
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The veteran’s nephew, sitting next to him, stated that those equating the travel ban to security concerns are “misguided.”
“People often fear what they don’t comprehend,” he added.
When I inquired about what the administration fails to grasp, he replied: “Different cultures.”