Syrian refugees in Oakland fearful of backlash since Paris attacks

OAKLAND, Calif. - Some families from Syria already live here in the Bay Area having escaped the warfare that is tearing apart their homeland, but They're expressing concern about the backlash over the terrorist attacks in Paris.
    
One family of four is now living in a one bedroom apartment in Oakland after arriving here eight months ago.

Mohamad Alnukta says he does his homework at night—learning English.

Nearby he can hear, the familiar sound of Arabic, his native language, as his two daughters watch a cartoon that they enjoyed when they lived in Syria.
  
In 2012, the 34-year-old, his wife and children fled to Jordan after they lost their home and printing business when civil war broke out in their homeland.
  
Eight months ago they resettled in the United States as refugees.

"Going America," said Alnukta as he showed KTVU the tag he wore around his neck that gives his refugee status when he flew to the United States.

 He speaks little English. In Arabic, he tells KTVU he fears a backlash from the terrorist attacks in France.

A family friend translated: "His fear is that someone is going to feel that he shouldn't be here. They feel that he should be out." 
　
Starting over in a new country is something Alnukta says he had to do to keep his family safe from the constant bombings in Syria.
 
Family friend Ghaidaa Mousabacha, a Syrian American, says there is now sadness and anger that members of Congress voted Thursday to crackdown on the resettlement of additional refugees into the U.S.

"I felt a little betrayed and shocked," said Mousabacha.

She says she believes in following the letter of the law and supports the U.S. thoroughly vetting refugees.

"Let's do it even if it takes two years.  I want every American to feel safe. I want to be safe," said Mousabacha.
 
Alnukta says despite the struggles of learning the ways of a new country, he wants other Syrians to have a better life, just like the one he's hoping to provide his family.
Alnukta says he wants the American dream.
 
He has been going to school and working as a janitor.
 
He still has family members in Syria who he hopes to see again one day.