ANN ARBOR, MI–Turn on the news. Log on to twitter. And what you will find is a steady stream of vitriol spouted by one of the two dominant political parties in the U.S. about illegal immigration to America.

It has become the loudest culture-war bell, even louder than the bell ringing for the wide-spread scourge of drag-queens reading stories to children at public libraries that none of us knew about prior to six months ago.

Into the maelstrom of immigration, playwright David Wells has written Arabic To English, a play, presented at Theatre NOVA, about a young Iraqi man, Faheem (Fedor Kinaya) who is on the verge of being deported back to Iraq under the Trump era immigration policy, which included the “Muslim Ban.” Faheem has turned to immigration lawyer Trevor (Joeseph Sfair), who has a romantic relationship with American-born Amina (Zevy Fawaz) who is his paralegal/interpreter.

The story delves into Faheem’s debacle, as well as the divided identity Amina feels between her Lebanese/Muslim religion and family culture and her desire to spread her wings professionally and emotionally as an American.

Sfair plays Trevor very well—the beleaguered, go through he motions immigration lawyer. Faheem is savvy, actually a bit more savvy than Trevor, about the trenches of immigration hearings. As Amina gets to know Faheem and takes a deeper interest in his case than her boss, she develops more clarity about her own identity and where she wants to go. Ms. Fawaz is superb in conveying her conflict with her body language and acting chops.

Wells has set the story in Southeast Michigan, name checking Hutington Woods, Dearborn, Wayne State University and more. His story is a well-told peek into the world of immigration with an effective balance of heart, curiosity and rationale.

Directed by Sarab Kamoo, Arabic To English will have a shelf-life no matter which political party is in power because of the extensive hostility many Americans have against anyone from the Middle East. Set Designer Paul Taylor makes the most of Theatre NOVA’s small performance space, making the space work for Amina’s apartment, as well as the other settings necessary for the story. Genevieve Compton designed costumes. Jeff Alder is on lighting. Sonja Marquis is sound designer.

Granted, the immigration controversy these days is focused on the Southern border with Mexico, while the debates about “Muslim bans” has faded with the Trump presidency (though it will be back on the front burner should he reclaim The White House in 2024.)

For information on remaining performances and tickets, go to their website.