Immigration lawyer's advice: "People here should stay; People who have visas should come ASAP"



MILWAUKEE -- When you read the revised version of President Donald Trump's executive order on travel restrictions, it appears none of it applies to Talha Naseer. He is from a country that is not on the travel ban list. He did not come through the refugee program. Yet, Naseer still says he's too nervous to risk visiting his home country.

Despite the changes made by the White House, Naseer is among those who say they're still afraid they won't be let back into the United States; some immigration lawyers say they're right to feel that way.

"We have a fear now," Naseer said, "Before, it was not there, but now, we have it."

Fear is what brought Naseer to Wisconsin. In 2010, he was worshiping at a mosque in his native Pakistan when terrorists launched an attack that killed 98 people.

"I was there and I saw everything," Naseer said.

Talha Naseer



The United States granted Naseer asylum last November after a lengthy process that began with Nasser fleeing Pakistan in the summer of 2014.

"We are 100% OK with the immigration process," Nasser said, "What you are doing, what you are checking, the background, everything. That's perfectly fine. You have to check."

Nevertheless, Naseer said he is afraid to visit relatives, even though neither version of President Trump's order says anything about Pakistan. Without a visa, let alone a green card, Naseer said that is his lawyer's advice.



"I ask him but he said 'we don`t know what will be the situation -- if you will come back and they will deport you from the airport,'" Naseer said.

Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly



Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly said Monday, March 6th this new version of the executive order makes clear that people who already have the paperwork will get in.

"It's important to note that nothing in this executive order affects existing, lawful, permanent residents or persons with current authorization to enter our homeland," Kelly said.

Still, Munjed Ahmad, a local immigration lawyer, said he is telling his clients to wait and see.

"People who are here should stay here. People who have visas issued already should come as soon as possible," Ahmad said.

Munjed Ahmad



Naseer said he believes following that advice is the safest move he can make.The next part of his journey is applying for a green card, something Naseer will be eligible to do later this year.