The day she started work in the United States, Shadi Sherafat came bearing gifts: Tim Tams and toy koalas for the team, a boomerang for her boss. She may have been born in Iran but was now a proud Australian.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The company - a mechanical engineering consultancy firm in Chicago - hired her because of the qualifications she attained in Australia: a bachelor's degree from Monash University and a master's degree from Melbourne University. They brought her on as an Australian citizen, travelling on an Australian passport.
But less than two years later, her life has been turned upside down by Donald Trump's controversial anti-Muslim immigration ban.
The 33-year-old had planned to return to Australia next month to visit friends but now can't risk it: she fears she won't be allowed back into the US, which would leave her homeless and unemployed. Even worse, she fears expulsion from the country when her work visa expires at the end of April.
"This is heartbreaking," Ms Sherafat told Fairfax Media from Chicago on Monday. "I feel like a prisoner of the US government."
The Iranian-Australian dual national feels like she has been singled out for her heritage. She has already endured what she describes as an 18-month "extreme vetting" investigation by Australian intelligence agencies before being granted citizenship in 2011.
She has written to Australia's ambassador to the US, Joe Hockey, seeking help. But she said Foreign Minister Julie Bishop's initial comments - in which she said Australia would support Trump's "strong immigration and border protection policies" - did not fill her with confidence.
"When I saw Julie Bishop's response I was really shocked. This gives me no hope, zero hope. I did have a little bit of hope because I have an Australian passport. But now me, an Australian professional that doesn't practice any religion - I'm basically banned from leaving the country or returning to Australia."
"This is not what I expect. I am not less Australian than any other Australians here."
Ms Bishop subsequently announced she would ask the US administration to exempt Australian dual nationals from the ban.
Ms Sherafat said that was a "relief" but her situation will remain uncertain until the Trump administration responds.
Whatever happens, she's now contemplating whether she wants to stay in Trump's America long-term.
"I just don't feel welcome," she said.
"And if I'm not welcome here why am I here? When you make decisions about your career it's one thing; it's very different when someone else makes those decisions for you."
