Separated by War, Holding onto Hope
When Kabul fell to the Taliban in late summer 2021, chaos erupted across the city. Mohammad, a husband and father of three, was forced to make the gut-wrenching decision to flee with only his six-year-old son. His wife and two toddler daughters had to stay behind. It was simply too dangerous to bring the entire family to the airport.
The airport was overwhelmed. Amidst the havoc and confusion, some families were separated as they tried to climb the walls. Others were forced to leave loved ones behind — children who happened to be at a grandparent’s house, or wives and daughters told to stay home for their safety. Mohammad describes only having time to grab his son and run.
Sadly, this is a common story: they were fleeing for their lives and had to make impossible choices in a matter of minutes.
Like many, Mohammad believed he would be able to bring his family once he reached safety. From the day he arrived in the U.S., he asked when and how he could bring his wife and daughters. None of the Afghan evacuees could have imagined how long and difficult the road to reunification would be.
Because he had worked with and supported American efforts in Afghanistan, Mohammad knew his life would be at risk if he stayed in the country.
He and his son were placed on an evacuation flight and, after a few weeks on a military base, sent to Syracuse for resettlement through the Catholic Charities of Onondaga County Refugee Resettlement program.
Afghan arrivals were often scheduled with just 24 to 48 hours’ notice, and housing was extremely limited. Mohammad was initially placed in a temporary apartment, then moved to a smaller, more affordable one when it became available.
Back home, Mohammad had lived in a typical Afghan household: he worked outside the home, and his wife cared for the children and managed the household. In Syracuse, he took on both roles. He learned to cook, care for his son alone, and navigate daily life in a completely unfamiliar culture. His son cried daily for his mother, even though they spoke with her on WhatsApp.
No amount of video calls could replace mom’s physical presence.
Mohammad supports both his son in Syracuse and his family in Afghanistan. With support from CCOC staff, he arranged childcare with another Afghan family and eventually found a job with flexible hours that even allowed him to bring his son to work when needed. Slowly, he began to adjust, making friends with other Afghan evacuees — many of whom also left loved ones behind.
Life was equally difficult for his wife, who was left to care for their daughters in a society where women rarely work or leave the house unaccompanied. Her separation from her husband and son was emotionally devastating, and the hope of a swift reunion faded as months turned into years.
Mohammad was granted asylum in the United States, which allowed him to stay permanently and to file formal applications to bring his wife and daughters through the Afghan CARE program and through a reunification program only available to refugees and asylees.
He continues to pursue every available option, sending money home when he can and waiting anxiously for news.
But on June 9, 2025, the Trump administration issued a new Travel Ban that included Afghanistan on the list of restricted countries. While not a complete block to reunification, it introduced yet another barrier and delay to an already agonizing wait.
Mohammad is one of many Afghans in Syracuse still hoping for the day their families can be whole again.
Of the more than 325 Afghans resettled through CCOC after the evacuation, we filed reunification applications for at least 50 families. A few families had finally begun to see progress, but only two have been reunited prior to the travel ban.
Since then, we have heard nothing new.
On World Refugee Day, we honor families like Mohammad’s. Separated by war, held together by love, and still waiting for the day they can be together again.
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