In a week that Donald Trump has been making life difficult for immigrants, refugees and even some Green Card holders, one refugee has been playing his part for the United States men’s national soccer team.
Individuals from seven named countries have been the subject of a 90-day travel ban, part of a series of controversial measures from the new president which have led to widespread protests in the United States and farther afield.
However, in the midst of all of this, Liberian-born refugee Darlington Nagbe has been contributing for the country that took him in during the Bush presidency.
Here's to more refugees representing this country on all stages pic.twitter.com/StrtqlZ1e1
— Eric Beard (@BeardEric) January 29, 2017
Nagbe came to the United States as an 11-year-old in 2001, having fled Liberia with his mother and brother a number of years earlier.
He attended university in Ohio before receiving his Green Card in 2012 and full US citizenship three years later, and was part of the Portland Timbers team that won the 2015 MLS Cup.
Nagbe was earning his first international start for the US in their friendly against Serbia, and his 12th cap overall, coming close to opening the scoring at the Qualcomm Stadium.
.@darlingtonnagbe was inches away from putting the #USMNT in the lead. The second half of #USAvSRB starts now. https://t.co/rQRDpgT5rA
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) January 29, 2017
And a number of fans expressed their pride in seeing a refugee representing the Stars and Stripes.
https://twitter.com/JohnLiotta/status/825814359385505792
https://twitter.com/johnobriant/status/825818006462816260
I want Liberian Refugee turned US Citizen and MNT player Darlington Nagbe to score sooo badly today! (Cc: @TheBenSwain @WXMoose )
— Jai (@TheRealJaiKumar) January 29, 2017
