‘I might lose my chance’: UAE residents migrating to US worried about election impact

With new leadership and potential policy changes on the horizon, people are carefully considering how the polls' outcome could affect immigration policies

Waad Barakat

Published: Tue 5 Nov 2024, 6:00 AM

Last updated: Tue 5 Nov 2024, 11:41 AM

Americans are choosing their next president on Tuesday, November 5, and soon, the White House will have a new occupant.

As the world watches the tight race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris unfold, some UAE residents who are planning to move to the US are grappling with immigration uncertainties — particularly regarding their green card process.

With new leadership, shifting political landscapes, and potential policy changes on the horizon, people are carefully considering the implications this election may have on their future.

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Reem (name changed on request) is worried as the election draws to a close today. After waiting two years for her spousal visa since marrying her US-based husband, she fears any change that could affect her situation.

"I finally received my approval, but now I am concerned about the upcoming interview appointment,” she said. This interview is crucial for her reunion with her husband.

“There are a lot of immigration policies from the two presidential candidates. My concern extends beyond the current situation to what might happen after the election and under a new president. Policies can change drastically,” she said.

Reem is particularly concerned about Trump's speeches on immigration, as he has a strong anti-immigration stance. “I want to start a new life with my husband, a US citizen, but I’ll be going there with my green card, and I want to ensure that the path ahead remains clear.”

Nora Khalid, a Sharjah resident planning to start a new life in the US with her family, also expressed her concerns. “There is a definite fear, 100 per cent, because the first file one of the major candidates handles is always the file of immigrants." She highlighted the potential for significant changes in immigration policy, especially if Trump, the Republican candidate and former president, returns to office.

"Given Trump’s previous term, where he had a firm stance on immigration, it’s natural for anyone considering immigration to worry,” she added. “He might tighten restrictions or increase the investment amounts required for green cards.”

The upcoming election is pivotal in American politics, four years after the contentious 2020 polls. It will determine not just the president and vice-president but also all 435 members of the House of Representatives and about one-third of the Senate.

The process began with a series of primary elections and caucuses in early 2024, where both major parties—Democratic and Republican—selected their candidates.

'I might lose my chance'

Another resident, Mohamed A, was selected through the Electronic Diversity Visa Programme last year while he was in Sudan. This programme allows individuals from countries with low immigration rates to apply for permanent residency in the US. After completing his interview two months ago, Mohamed plans to travel in January to start his new life in the US alongside his brother.

However, he is apprehensive about the potential changes that could arise from the election. “I worry that I might lose my chance to start the life I’ve always wanted in the ‘Land of Opportunity,’” he said. The uncertainty surrounding immigration policies adds to his concerns as he prepares for a life-changing transition.

Renad Elamin, who has been living in the UAE for more than a year, has mixed emotions as an Arab-American. “There’s always a bit of apprehension because policies and rhetoric can sometimes affect how Arab-Americans are perceived or treated."

For Renad, the outcome of the election is personal. “I want to feel included and valued in my own country. I hope the outcome promotes unity, respect, and policies that consider the diverse communities that make up America, including ours.”

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