Trump travel ban keeps Iranian-Canadian theatre director from work in Halifax
LOS ANGELES — An Iranian-Canadian theatre director who shuttles between L.A. and Halifax for work says he has decided to stay in the United States for now, rather than cross the border under President Donald Trump’s travel ban.
Shahin Sayadi says he can’t risk being separated from his family in California as confusion looms about Trump’s executive order barring citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries, including Iran, from entering the country.
“We’re going to take it day by day and see how we can do this, but for now, I just don’t feel assured that if I go I can come back,” says Sayadi. “I feel I can’t take the chance.”
Sayadi moved to Los Angeles seven months ago with his wife and two children, but frequently travels back to Halifax to oversee Onelight Theatre, which he founded more than two decades ago.