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.