Several weeks ago, physicians found structural abnormalities and two holes in the heart of 4-month-old Fatemah Reshad. Iranian hospitals were not equipped to provide the life-saving care the baby needed, so Fatemah’s parents made plans to bring her to the U.S.
“[T]hey planned to bring her from their home in Iran to Portland, Ore., to one of the best hospitals for pediatric heart surgery,” said Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.) who shared Fatemah’s story during a congressional meeting Friday. “That’s where Fatemeh’s uncle and grandparents all live. They are U.S. citizens.”
While Fatemah’s family had an appointment in Dubai to acquire a tourist Visa to the U.S., the appointment was cancelled after Trump implemented the travel ban, reports the Post. The family was told they could reapply for the visa in 90 days.
Several lawmakers on Friday filed for a waiver from the State Department and Homeland Security to grant entry into the U.S. for Fatemah and her family, according to the Oregonian. The federal government cleared Fatemah and her family for travel to the U.S. late Friday night, according to the report.
Irving Shen, MD, the surgeon who will operate on Fatemah, said physicians at the Doernbecher Children’s Hospital perform about six to 10 of the open heart operations Fatemah will undergo annually.
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