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Mohamad Khawanda s family wasn t among them.
Originally from Syria, the 29-year-old North Side resident came alone to the United States from Egypt in 2019, assured his family soon would be able to follow.
First, the Trump administration s travel bans on Muslim-majority countries, including Syria, kept them out.
Then it was delay after delay as his family s medical clearances good for only six months expired before they got a flight. One time, their flight was canceled when they were all ready to go, and Khawanda still doesn t know why.
Now, he doesn t know whether to have renewed hope or not.
Despite President Joe Biden s campaign promises to welcome more refugees like Khawanda s parents and sisters, the president announced on Friday that he wouldn t raise the annual cap for refugees from Trump s historic low of 15,000.