Story of Khalid

My name is Khalid, and I was born and lived for many years in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan. I loved my home. But the conflict there is too much, and so I had to leave. The day there is peace, I will go back.

My family then lived on the run, and unable to return home to Sudan due to the violence. They lived in a refugee camp in Kenya. Now, they have found safety and we will be reunited soon. It’s been over 10 years since I saw them last in the US. In 2017, I finally received approval to come to the US with my daughter, but my wife and sons were released and sent back to Sudan and a few items and left towards the Egyptian border.

When I arrived at the border, things descended into Chaos. I was spotted by local security forces. People with me were struck by gunfire and killed that night. One man got hit through the throat, another through the knees. I stopped to carry one of the people that got wounded, but could not get very far.

I eventually made it across the border carrying by baby girl, but my wife and boys were overtaken and arrested by security. I stayed and worked to pay for my families release, while also working on my application for refugee resettlement in the US. In 2017, I finally received approval to come the US with my daughter, but my wife and sons were released and sent back to Sudan.

My family then lived on the run, and unable to return home in Sudan due to the violence. They lived in a refugee camp in Kenya. Now, they have found safety and we will be reunited soon. It’s been over 10 years since I saw them last.