A nickname hid his identity. A mask shielded his face. At 17, Ibrahim Yousif risked his life and the lives of his family to aid the U.S. as a translator during the Iraq War.

For nearly three years, he wore a camouflage uniform and a 20-pound bulletproof vest. He was the first to enter a building after a door was kicked in, announcing the U.S. Army’s presence. He spoke with terrorists during raids and interrogations, and took part in special missions and investigations.

But Yousif's service may not make a difference now that President Donald Trump's executive order has closed the U.S. border to citizens from several countries, including Iraq, separating him from his family.

The 25-year-old Plano resident says his brother, a lawyer based in Minnesota, and his brother’s wife and children had traveled back to Iraq and were visiting relatives when Trump’s order came down.

The family is stuck overseas -- at least for now. And Yousif said his hopes of bringing his fiancee, parents and other relatives to the U.S. are diminished.

Yousif moved to the U.S. in 2012 and became a permanent resident through a special immigration visa based on protecting those who have aided the U.S. military. His brother has lived in the U.S. for two and a half years with his wife and children, he said. Because of Yousif's service, they received their green cards through a resettlement program run by the International Organization for Migration.

When Yousif saw the news of Trump’s order on Facebook on Friday, he called his brother in Iraq. He told him that the trip, which was originally supposed to last about 10 more days, might last even longer.

Ibrahim Yousif stands in front of his apartment in Plano, Texas on Sunday. He served for almost three years as an interpreter for the U.S. Army in Iraq. (Jae S. Lee/Staff Photographer)

“I was thinking maybe [Trump] would just come up with a new vetting system...” Yousif said. “I wasn’t even thinking that he would block people that already got their visas, block people from coming back in with legal resident cards, green cards.”

Yousif’s family received some hope on Sunday: John F. Kelly, the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, said that people from the affected countries who hold green cards will not be prevented from returning to the U.S. Even with his statement, much of the order was still being enforced, and travel was disrupted for many around the world.

The news doesn’t change the anxiety that Yousif and his family have been feeling over the past few days.

As a boy, Yousif learned English by watching Jim Carrey movies and listening to American bands like Bon Jovi, Linkin Park and Metallica. He pictured the U.S. as one of the world’s greatest nations.

“They always like to help the other nations,” Yousif said. “That’s why they came to Iraq and help the Iraqi people get rid of their dictatorship and bring them freedom.”

Yousif was honored to help the U.S. military. He served two countries fighting against al-Qaeda. His uniform was lined with patches, one labeled “Operation Iraqi Freedom.” His first name was printed in thick black stitching below a black and white American flag.

Ibrahim Yousif shows a laptop photo of him with American soldiers at his apartment in Plano, Texas on Sunday. He served for almost three years as an interpreter for the U.S. Army in Iraq. (Jae S. Lee/Staff Photographer)

When U.S. troops pulled out of Iraq, Yousif feared for his safety and applied for the special visa. He went through the background search and vetting process, and by July 2012, was granted permanent residency.

He moved to Dallas because many of the U.S. soldiers he served with were stationed at Fort Hood.

In five years, he hasn't experienced any bigotry -- until Trump was elected president.

“Being honest, I’m really disgusted by the people who are claiming they support the military, that they support the veterans,” he said. “We are the ones who helped the military — in uniform. And they hate us. It’s just hypocrisy. You tell me you support the military. Well, I’m here, I served in the military. And you hate me and you label me and my family as terrorists?”

Yousif said he doesn’t understand the Trump ban. In his view, the countries that are part of the ban are not a threat to America. “This is really ignorant,” he said. “A country like Iraq, this is a U.S. ally. You cannot do this to your ally.”

He still wants to bring his entire family to the U.S. His parents are getting older, and his father is ill. His brothers and sisters are trying to obtain visas, and so is his fiancee. He's proud of helping the U.S. military, and next month, he plans to apply for citizenship.

“I’m ready to vote for any kind of local elections,” he said. “I’m ready to vote, and I know who to vote for."