Carly Harris, a young Mormon college student, unexpectedly found love while volunteering at a refugee camp on the Greek island of Lesbos in November 2015. Soufiane El Yassami, a Muslim fast food worker from Morocco, was seeking a better life and took a leap of faith by fleeing his home country. Unfortunately, Greece had closed its doors to immigrants from Morocco, leaving El Yassami stranded. However, fate intervened when Harris, concerned for his well-being, reached out to him on Facebook.
El Yassami’s journey to Europe was motivated by his frustration with the lack of job opportunities in Morocco, especially for those with college degrees. Unemployment rates are alarmingly high among young individuals in the country. This situation not only leads to personal hardships but also causes political instability. The Migration Policy Institute describes it as a pressure cooker, with numerous educated young individuals unable to find stable and fulfilling employment.
Lesbos, a small tourist island with limited resources, has become a hub for refugees from North Africa and the Middle East hoping to seek asylum in Europe. The overwhelming number of refugees has put a strain on the island’s authorities, as they struggle to provide necessary support. Meanwhile, the European Union as a whole has taken in a significant number of illegal migrants, with the Economist reporting that 1 million immigrants entered the EU last year. Tragically, many migrants have lost their lives attempting to make the perilous journey. While most refugees are fleeing war-torn nations like Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria, some, like El Yassami, are driven by the hope of finding better opportunities.
El Yassami’s arrest, along with a group of North African refugees, dashed the couple’s hopes of meeting in person. However, Harris’s message on Facebook provided a glimmer of hope. The pair continued to nurture their budding relationship through online communication, dreaming of a day when they could meet and introduce El Yassami to Harris’s parents before she completed college.
They explored various avenues to bring El Yassami to the United States, including travel visas and the K-1 visa for fiancés, which would allow him to enter the country and get married. Unfortunately, they soon realized the complexities and challenges associated with obtaining a visa. The process required an approved petition, job prospects, and a bank account, all of which El Yassami lacked.
The couple’s concerns for their future have been exacerbated in light of President Donald Trump’s stance on immigration. Although El Yassami is not directly affected by the now-on-hold executive order that targeted seven Muslim-majority countries, he worries about its implications. He implores Trump to reconsider, emphasizing the desperate situation faced by refugees who need help and assistance.
Despite these challenges, Harris and El Yassami remain hopeful. They plan to move to Guinea-Bissau after Harris finishes her senior year at the University of Utah. While they acknowledge the harsh realities of the current global political climate, they remain steadfast in their belief that embracing and helping refugees rather than closing borders and building walls can lead to a more compassionate and inclusive world.
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