A Syrian refugee family is settling into life in South Florida.They have new friends, a new apartment and new hope for the future after leaving their home in war-torn Syria.

Raghad Sammouneh, aged 19, said that she, her parents and her two younger brothers arrived in Miami on January 17th, just days before the President Donald Trump took office and promptly signed an executive order banning travel from the Syria and also other Muslim-majority countries.

She also said that they were vetted for over a year and a half, and also lived in Turkey for several years, before they were being granted permission to come to the U.S.

And while they are happy to be in Florida, together and safe, her father Mouafak acknowledges that they still miss their homeland.

Safaa Sammouneh, a translator from Syria, explains what it Is like to see her children smile in their new country.

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Among those making the Sammouneh’s feel at home is Jose Vega, the director of the World Relief Miami, an organization which partners with the local churches across the globe to provide disaster response, health and child development, refugee support, economic development, and also peace-building

As President Donald Trump prepared to sign a new travel ban executive order set to take effect from March 16th, the Sammouneh’s family moved into their new apartment this past weekend.

Raghad’s tears of sadness turned into the tears of joy. Sammouneh’s family received a copy of the Declaration of Independence as a housewarming gift.

Raghad and her brothers plan to learn English and also go to school, and her mother has already started cooking for the families around town.

They also said they have felt nothing but love from the people here in South Florida, and are looking forward to making this as their new home.

Vega said that 1,800 refugees arrived in South Florida between the October 2015 and September 2016.

Mrudula Duddempudi.