during the early '90s after Saddam Hussein attacked them using chemical weapons.

In a statement, Nashville Mayor Megan Barry said hearing of this family reminded her of the Suleymans, a Kurdish refugee family Nashville welcomed more than three decades ago. Jiyayi Suleyman was the first American Kurd hired by the Nashville Metropolitan Police Department.

"I know that our city would have embraced and welcomed this family just as we did the Suleymans in 1991 and so many other immigrant and refugee families before and since," Barry said. "This arbitrary ban on individuals from certain countries entering the United States is wrong in every way."

Sen. Steve Dickerson, R-Nashville, said Sunday that while he'd like to see a review of the federal refugee policy and immigration policy, Trump's order goes too far.

"Nashvilleand Davidson County have long been home to refugees. They make our community stronger and embody the American Dream to the fullest," he said in a statement. "A full ban, based on country of origin, is contrary to bedrock American values, and, in the end, will only serve to empower our enemies abroad."

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Suleman, 51, said he chose Nashville because of its Kurdish community and because he has friends who live here.

"And I read on the internet that Nashville is a growing city, quality of life is good there, jobs are available, crime rates are very, very low, so these are points