Harsh Immigration Policies Didn’t Stop Them: A Syrian Refugee Family Rebuilds

Arriving Just in Time 

Zainab’s caseworker jokes with her that she arrived to the U.S. in “added time,” like the make-up time for stoppages in play added after the running clock ends in a soccer match. 

Within days of her arrival to Chicagoland with her five kids last year, all refugee arrivals to the United States were halted. Within a week, promised initial government support to her family—and thousands of other newly arrived refugees—was suspended. 

Within a year, a travel ban would block almost everyone from her home country of Syria from entering the United States. And now, refugees in a neighboring state are being detained by ICE, pulled apart from their families, and shipped out of state to be investigated and released onto the street. 

“One Hand Doesn’t Clap by Itself” 

And yet, sitting in her living room, Zainab exudes only thankfulness, optimism, and grit. 
 
“We have a saying in Arabic that one hand doesn’t clap by itself. That’s the thing I was most scared about. The really hard part was the first 2–3 months. I was afraid. Because I was alone with my kids. I was scared of the word ‘America.’ It’s a big country. No language. No transportation. If I want groceries, where do I go? The language is the biggest challenge. But the fear went away. We adjusted, and a lot of people came to help and support me and my family.” 

When the Community Shows Up 

Some of those people who stepped in included dozens of local partner churches, neighbors, and people like you. During a three-week span in early 2025, the Chicagoland community came together to raise almost a million dollars to support newly arrived refugee families like Zainab’s. 

This outpouring of generosity ensured core needs like housing, food, basic furnishings, and critical initial services were still met in the wake of sudden government cuts. 

But the support didn’t stop there. 

Beyond Survival: Stability and Friendship 

Zainab’s two oldest sons found jobs to support the family, with guidance from our employment team. After six months, the family secured a car—finally solving ongoing transportation challenges. Volunteers and neighbors stepped in, not just to help, but to become friends. 

“One of the people who’s helped me the most has been Rebecca,” says Zainab about her World Relief volunteer. 

“She’s so sweet. She was supposed to help me with a language, but she ended up helping me with a lot more stuff. She became a friend. I see her every week. She’s very close to me. She’s been visiting and helping out for a long time. She taught me how to make doctor appointments on the phone…I want to take this opportunity to give Rebecca a big public ‘Thank You.’” 

Learning, Hustling, and Moving Forward 

Once foundational things like transportation, income, school routines, and medical care were established, Zainab was able to focus in earnest on learning English—again, with the support of the community around her. 

“For me personally, a big goal now is working on language,” she says. “I go to World Relief’s English class online in the mornings. I started classes several months ago for English. I’m so happy with this teacher, I feel I am making good progress. After my youngest starts pre-school I’ll be able to go in person.” 

“When you come to America you have to start from scratch. If you were in another country, you couldn’t accomplish in one year what my family has been able to accomplish here so far. You get tired in America. You work hard. You have to hustle. But there’s a result. You don’t find yourself working for nothing. I’m thankful for that.” 

Dreams for Her Kids—and for the Future 

When it comes to the future, Zainab’s biggest dreams are for her children. Her youngest has fully recovered from a heart surgery he underwent at just six months old. Her two elementary-age kids are thriving and learning English. 

“They won’t talk to me in English at home, but I know they do at school,” she says with a laugh. “The other day I saw a video of my 10-year-old at school speaking only English for 10 minutes straight!” 

One day, Zainab dreams of owning a home. 

“Sometimes I make my oldest son take me on a drive through Winnetka just to look at the houses and dream,” she says. 

“It is such a classy place. The streets in that place are cleaner than the inside of my house! The cheapest house there is like $3 million… It’s completely quiet in that neighborhood after 8pm. I know I’ll never have a house in Winnetka, but I hope we’ll have a house in a more reasonable neighborhood someday.” 

And someday, she hopes to be the one offering help to those who arrive after her. 

“One of my friends always tells me, ‘I came like you and someone helped me. So you are going to help someone else who just came, someday in the future.’ I look forward, God-willing, to when we reach that point.” 

You Are Part of The Story 

Zainab’s journey is a reminder that refugees don’t rebuild their lives alone. It takes neighbors, volunteers, advocates, and generous supporters walking alongside every step of the way.  
 
You can help ensure refugee families in Chicagoland continue to find safety, support, and hope—no matter the circumstances. 

*Name and some details changed for privacy