DeLauro Statement on the Reunion of the Kassar Family

WASHINGTON, DC (February 2, 2016) — Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today released the following statement upon news that the Kassar family has been reunited in the United States. Over the last week, DeLauro and her staff have worked to ensure that Fadi Kassar could be reunited with his wife, Razan, and his two children, Hanan and Lian, after President Trump issued an executive order barring immigration from seven countries in the Middle East.

"Tonight I am grateful to announce that the Kassar family has been reunited in the United States and it warms my heart after the devastating effects we witnessed from last week's executive order. I am overjoyed that Razan and her children Hanan and Lian have made it through customs in New York and are on their way home to Connecticut. Fadi went through an experience no family should ever have to bear and I could not be more elated that this situation was resolved.

"I remain deeply concerned that President Trump's executive order continues to inflict unnecessary harm and suffering on families. Just today, one of my constituents in New Haven watched helplessly as his wife was sent back to Iran as she tried to return to the United States. That the United States would do this to a family is unconscionable and I continue to fight to end this outrageous executive order and reunite our families."

Since being connected with the family earlier this week, DeLauro and her staff have worked diligently to reunite the Kassar family on American soil. To address this issue, DeLauro spoke personally with Fadi's brother-in-law, and her office worked with the family's attorney, the National Visa Center, the United States Embassy in Amman, Jordan, the Customs and Border Patrol offices in Washington, DC and New York, and the U.S. Department State.

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