Joyful reunion for Syrian family from Raleigh, 4-year-old daughter
RALEIGH, North Carolina (WTVD) -- A little girl is finally heading back home to Raleigh with her parents and siblings after four months of being stuck overseas.
Muna Khadra is 4 years old. Her family is originally from Syria but moved to the United States in 2013. In February, Muna's father, Abdallh Khadra, said they applied as a family for documents to be able to visit their ailing mothers and other relatives risking their lives traveling from Syria to Lebanon.
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They began to receive their paperwork at different times, but with different expiration dates. In October they finally decided to bite the bullet and make the trip to see their family. On the way home they ran into a problem with Muna's immigration forms. They had expired despite the family receiving conflicting information before and during their trip.
They were forced to leave Muna in Jordan with her grandmother while they tried to sort everything out in the United States.
On top of trying to get the proper forms through the government, Khadra said President Donald Trump's executive order on immigration, although in limbo, added to the stress. They worried their daughter could get stuck overseas with family she barely knows.
Finally after four months, they were able to get Muna back on a plane to the U.S.
ORIGINAL STORY: SYRIAN FAMILY IN RALEIGH FIGHTS TO REUNITE WITH 4-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER
The reunion at Chicago O'Hare International Airport was emotional. Her family greeted her with balloons. Her mother sobbing as she was able to hold her little girl. Her father broke down in tears as he scooped her up.
"We thank God first, we praise God," Khadra said, "and we thank all the people who stood with us."
While they were apart, Khadra said relatives told him Muna wasn't eating much or sleeping well. Now they hope those restless days and nights are over as they begin their road trip back home to Raleigh.
"She's part of me, she's part of me," Khadra said.
