Former military interpreter bringing family to Lincoln faces hurdle from Trump order

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Thousands of refugees are stuck in limbo after an executive order by President Donald Trump pausing the refugee resettlement program.

Even those who were already approved are facing flight cancellations and bureaucratic hurdles.

Many of them worked as military interpreters, helping American soldiers navigate through dangerous territories.

One refugee who is already in Lincoln is now caught in a different battle as he tries to bring his family here.

“He would go in, and he would be the one interpreting for U.S. military members,” said the refugee’s lawyer, Burke Brown, managing attorney at Polaris Law Group. “Due to his actions as an interpreter for the U.S. military, it brings a lot of safety concerns for his family.”

His client asked to be anonymous because he fears not only for his safety, but also for his family’s.

Despite his fears, he gave his lawyer permission to share his story.

Brown is advocating for the refugee’s family and urging for a quicker response.

“It adds an immense level of stress to those families because know they know their family members are going to be at risk,” Brown said. “But are they able to do something to bring them to safety? It’s a little bit of a question mark right now.”

While his client waits, so does the future of his parents and siblings; but he’s determined to see his family safe.

Brown said the executive order “really make it next to impossible for his siblings to come to the United States for the next 20 or 25 years.”

He added that he has multiple clients facing similar situations and asked others to help by contacting their representatives and senators.

Brown said resettlement not only helps the refugees, but also the economy of Nebraska.