New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Friday that an Iranian infant banned from entering the United States for life-saving heart surgery under President Donald Trump’s executive order will now be allowed to travel for the emergency procedure.
The family had an appointment in Dubai to get a tourist visa, but it was abruptly canceled earlier this week after Trump announced his executive order on immigration banning travel to the U.S. by people from seven predominantly Muslim countries, including Iran. Four-month-old Fatemeh Reshad was forced to return home.
Iranian doctors told the child’s parents weeks ago that she needed at least one urgent surgery — and maybe several — to correct serious heart defects, or she will die, according to her uncle, Samad Taghizadeh, a U.S. citizen who lives in Portland.
Cuomo said Manhattan’s Mount Sinai Medical Center had offered to perform the critical surgery, but the family finally chose to do it in Portland, Oregon, both because of the hospital’s pediatric cardiology expertise and proximity to the baby’s uncle and grandparents.
"This evening we were pleased to learn that the federal government has now granted Fatemeh Reshad and her family boarding documents to come to the United States," the governor said in a statement. "We will continue to work with the International Refugee Assistance Project and their partners to ensure this baby receives the treatment she needs, and fight for those being unfairly shut out of America’s gates by this policy."
Cuomo said he worked with the organization to help secure a government visa waiver of Trump’s order.
"Bizarrely, the federal ban would prevent this child from receiving medical care and literally endanger her life," Cuomo said. "It is repugnant to all we believe as Americans and as members of the human family."
Federal judge in Seattle temporarily blocks Trump’s travel ban nationwide Matt Zapotosky, Justin Jouvenal, Ann E. Marimow
A federal judge in Washington state declared Friday that he would temporarily block enforcement of President Donald Trump’s controversial ban on entry to the United States, and government authorities immediately began taking steps that would allow those previously affected to travel, according…
A federal judge in Washington state declared Friday that he would temporarily block enforcement of President Donald Trump’s controversial ban on entry to the United States, and government authorities immediately began taking steps that would allow those previously affected to travel, according…
(Matt Zapotosky, Justin Jouvenal, Ann E. Marimow)
Doctors in Iran sent the results of an echocardiogram and other records that show Fatemeh has structural abnormalities and two holes in her heart, said Jennifer Morrissey, a Portland attorney helping with the case. She said the infant is expected in Portland early next week.
The issue is time, Taghizadeh told the AP. "She’s in an emergency situation and if it takes a long time, they’re going to lose her."
Foreign airlines have instructed Iranian travel agencies not to sell U.S.-bound tickets to Iranians holding U.S. visas even though a federal judge temporarily blocked the ban Friday night, siding with two states that urged a nationwide hold on the executive order that has launched legal battles across the country.
The directive does not include U.S. airlines.
In Tehran, the Kowsar travel agency told The Associated Press they had been instructed by all foreign airlines not to sell tickets to Iranians with visas to enter the U.S.
The agency said there was no problem for those who have a permanent resident card or a U.S. passport.
Associated Press
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