Menu Lifestyle
Updated: Sep. 22, 2020 | Originally Published: Feb. 10, 2017
It was Wednesday, January 25, 4:50 p.m. in Dallas, Texas, and 2:20 a.m. in Tehran, Iran. I was in my office, overwhelmed by anxiety as I absorbed the shocking news. I grabbed my cellphone and hurriedly dialed my wife, waking her from a deep sleep. “Honey, you need to leave now! Can you pack in an hour and catch the 9 a.m. flight?” Her confused mumble was both a comfort and a concern—our son was still asleep, the airport was over an hour away, and nothing was packed. She had planned to stay for another week.
Earlier that day, I discovered that the newly inaugurated U.S. president had signed executive orders with potentially devastating implications for many immigrants. One order suggested that even some permanent residents might be unable to return to the U.S. My heart raced; my wife was one of those permanent residents currently in Iran.
A Bit of Background
I first met my wife, Amina, at an Argentine tango dance party I hosted. We both shared a passion for dance, which blossomed into love and led to our marriage. Now, we live in Dallas with our one-year-old son, Amir.
Amina had recently completed her PhD in electrical engineering, and we decided she should visit her family in Tehran before starting her job. She left in early January, planning for me to join her two weeks later for a week-long visit, and then return home together. Her family had organized a grand welcome reception, complete with a venue and a huge cake. We even packed our ski gear for some mountain fun and planned to spend a weekend in Dubai visiting friends.
The Unfolding Crisis
On January 23, I stumbled upon a Reuters article stating that the president would issue an executive order to restrict entry to the U.S. for refugees and visa holders from seven countries. I called Amina, and we reasoned that since she was a permanent resident and our son and I were citizens, it shouldn’t affect our travel plans. We decided to stick to our itinerary.
But on January 24, I found a draft of the executive order that sent chills down my spine. It stated that entry into the U.S. would be suspended for certain immigrants. My stomach dropped—I couldn’t fathom how anyone could be denied entry to their own homeland. I felt a desperate need to bring my family home before it was too late.
I canceled my trip and booked Amina and Amir on the earliest available flight back to Dallas. However, as I surveyed the situation, panic set in. What if the order went into effect before they reached home? I needed a new plan.
Searching for flights, I discovered a British Airways flight departing Tehran at 9 a.m. local time, connecting to an American Airlines flight to Dallas. My heart raced as I calculated the time zones, realizing that if the president signed the order at 9 a.m. Washington time, Amina and Amir would already be en route.
The Race Against Time
After a flurry of attempts, I finally reached Amina. “You have to leave now!” I urged. She scrambled to get ready while I secured their tickets. However, since Amir was under two, I had to call American Airlines to book his ticket manually. Meanwhile, Amina raced to the airport.
After what felt like an eternity, I had their ticket numbers and Amina made it to the airport just in time for her flight. But there was another obstacle: she had to change terminals at Heathrow, which could take a significant amount of time and was fraught with challenges. I offered her all the advice I could think of, hoping to ease her journey.
As the clock ticked, I realized I still hadn’t canceled my Emirates ticket. I did that quickly, heart heavy with worry.
The Longest Night
Later that evening, Amina and Amir boarded their flight, and I felt a mix of relief and anxiety. What if the executive order was signed while they were in transit? I texted my brother in Canada for backup, just in case they needed to land there.
The next morning, I received a text from Amina that they had arrived safely in London. I was relieved to hear they were on their way to Dallas, but my mind raced with thoughts of what could happen when they landed.
Throughout the day, I continued to worry about the possibility of them facing detention at the airport. I could hardly focus, envisioning the worst-case scenarios.
Conclusion
Ultimately, Amina and Amir boarded their flight to Dallas, and after a long, anxiety-fueled day, they finally landed safely. The experience was a whirlwind of emotions, showcasing the fragility of our situation during a time of political upheaval. If you’d like to learn more about navigating similar situations, check out resources like Cervical Insemination and Make A Mom, which offer excellent insights into family planning and home insemination.
Summary
This is the harrowing tale of how I brought my wife and son back from Iran amid the panic of Trump’s travel ban. With quick thinking, a lot of luck, and the support of family, we managed to reunite against all odds.