Interview Processing
First and Foremost, I would like to acknowledge President Trump of The United States of America, allowing me the opportunity to apply for the Refugee Program.
Thank you to the staff of USCIS / CWS that have been so friendly during the interview process. The compasion and empathy during both interviews was an example and a glimpse of what is awaiting me in the USA.
Support from USCIS / CWS was amazing. I want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart. The interview was needed and understandably the questions need to be answered for allowing me to come as a future citizen into the USA. Yet in this difficult time the kindness that was shown was incredibly warm. As the tears flowed and I was very emotional, I received the words over and over- I am sorry this has happened to you, with the words following- are you ok? Do you need an break? USCIS / CWS had given me time to breath in between and the emotional pain became unbearable.
At the end of the final interview I was asked by a USCIS officer how did the interview go? I replied it was very emotional only to follow with an arm around my shoulder to show deep compasion during this most difficult time of my life.
Thank you everyone for been part of the process of coming to the USA. You are indeed saving my life emotionally and physically. In South Africa with this Government I will lose my life but the USA opportunity to live in freedom is going to allow me to be the best person I can become and also heal from all the trauma.
This is a life saving gift of which I am honored to receive and I will commit to be a productive citizen of the USA.- V-Cape Town

Yes Indeed. Mr. President Donald Trump has saved our lives . We were in a dark place with no hope for our future The PTSD that we had . Has been lifted since we have arrived. The caring and friendliness is also prevalent in this beautiful country.

Thank you Lord for our deliverance and Thank you Mister President Donald Trump - James-Pretoria

Honestly, just to be able to sleep with both eyes closed is all I want. For my daughter to see that living behind 8 foot walls, palisade and electric fencing isn't normal. Geez, even to walk in the street without fear of being kidnapped, r@ped and tortured. If people want anything more than peace of mind, safety, then they are asking for too much. B-Gauteng

Honestly, Shelly has been incredible throughout this process. For many of us, this program is a lifeline—our first real chance to feel what it means to be safe. We are refugees, a term that means we are fleeing credible threats of violence or persecution, for whom this was the only option left. N-Pretoria

It’s cold , it’s clean , and everything seems to work . Not something that we are used to . It’s feels a bit strange as our house has no burglar bars on the windows, we do not have any fences that make our homes look like prisons . But we can feel that we are safe . We were placed in the north west side of the city and it seems that we are in a good neighborhood. When we arrived we were met with a fridge stocked full of food , and also a lot of food in the pantry . We also received bank cards with $75 preloaded for me and my wife . We also received bus passes for me and my wife . We also received 2x new cellphones . The kids are loving it here so far and they played and built a big snowman yesterday. Next week we will be apllying for ebt cards and work permits . There are plenty of job opportunities here if you are not lazy to work . Just a tip to the people than smoke , you should try and go without a cigarette for 36 hours lol as that’s how long we had to wait as most airports do not allow you to smoke anywhere near the terminals that you arrived at , but overall we are extremely grateful for this opportunity and we are excited to start working . Knowing that me and my family are safe and will not be persecuted because we are white is a priceless feeling. To everyone still waiting for interviews and flights, just be patient as there are hundreds of people flying over every day , the program seems to be operating 10x faster than it did last year . Best of luck to you all , and believe me I know it feels nerve wrecking to leave everything you know behind , but it will be worth it in the end. 

Becoming a refugee is not a choice anyone makes easily. It is not a trend, a shortcut, or an escape. It is what happens when people feel they have reached the end of what they can endure and still protect their families.We are not asking for luxury. We are not asking for special treatment. We are asking for the chance to live without fear, to work with dignity, and to raise our children in an environment where they can feel safe and hopeful about their future.Right now, many of us feel like we are slowly watching our lives fall apart. Work is scarce. Opportunities feel out of reach. The cost of living keeps rising while our ability to provide keeps shrinking. Parents lie awake at night wondering how they will pay school fees, buy food, or keep the lights on another month.Crime and insecurity weigh heavily on our minds. Every news report, every story from a neighbour, every siren in the night adds to a growing fear that we can no longer ignore. It is exhausting to live in a constant state of alertness and worry for the people we love most.Many families are surviving by selling their belongings piece by piece. Furniture, valuables, anything that can buy a little more time. By the time interviews and medical appointments come, some have already given up almost everything they own just to get there, because that appointment represents hope — perhaps the only hope left.For many of us, that approval letter is not just paperwork. It is a lifeline. It is a light in a very dark place. It is the belief that maybe, just maybe, our children will have a future that feels safer than our present.We are not traitors to our country. We are parents, husbands, wives, and hardworking people who simply want to protect the ones we love. We are grateful beyond words for the opportunity this program offers, but the long waiting periods are incredibly difficult for people who feel like they are running out of time.This is not written in anger. It is written from a place of deep exhaustion, fear, and hope — all at the same time.We are holding on. We are trying. And we are praying that this hope becomes reality before we have nothing left to hold onto.