Emotional reunification at airport

Mohamad Imran dried his eyes and then began walking quickly, picking up his pace as he neared some family members whom he hadn’t seen for 10 years.

Imran, 22, a Muslim Rohingya, let out a soft cry, then tightly embraced his mother and father at the United Airlines baggage carousel on Dec. 8 after they arrived from Houston at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The six other new arrivals to the United States would next receive hugs from Mohamad, who has resided on Mercer Island with a foster family since 2016.

His parents, siblings and other family members have been housed in a massive refugee camp in Bangladesh since 2017 when they fled Myanmar amid the genocide against the Muslim Rohingya people.

Mohamad escaped his violent surroundings of Myanmar by boat at the age of 12, leaving his family behind on a harrowing journey. After being held captive for a year in a brutal detention center in Malaysia, he received help from the United Nations to come stay on the Island, learn English and graduate from Mercer Island High School. Mohamad now studies business at Bellevue College and became a United States citizen in August of 2022.

The Islander finally accomplished his goal of bringing his family to safety in the United States thanks to the immense support and kindness from U.S. Rep. Adam Smith, U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene, U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, former Washington state governor Gary Locke and a plethora of Mercer Island community members, many of whom welcomed the family to Seattle at the airport on Dec. 8. They waved signs, cheered and doled out plenty of hugs and encouraging words during the emotional gathering.

“One thing I’m very proud of — if you love someone, if you love your community and your family, you go to extremes and you put your own life in danger to try to save them, and that’s exactly what I did,” Mohamad told the crowd as tears flowed. One person said he’s a hero and another said they’re lucky to have him in their presence.

Mohamad added prior to ushering his family to the Island: “I’m really thankful. I don’t know how to describe it, there’s no words. I’m really thankful for the community support and all the legislators. Thanks so much for everything.”

Island resident, supporter and state Rep. Tana Senn called Mohamad a miracle worker who utilized persistence and resourcefulness to bring his family to the U.S.

“I was the first politician who listened to his story and his dream to reunite with his family here in the U.S. And I’ve been a friend and ally all along the way. I believe this gave him the confidence that other political leaders would listen and help, as well,” she said, adding that Mohamad’s contagious enthusiasm, warmth and smile match his passion and faith in the goodness of people.

Due to a robust Island letter-writing campaign and assistance from those legislators, Mohamad’s brother, now 16, was sent to the United States in December of 2022 to reside with a foster family in Kent.

Mohamad’s family members who arrived on Dec. 8 will be staying in homes across the Island. He praised the Island community for standing by his side the whole way and bringing his dreams of family reunification to fruition.

Mercer Island School District Superintendent Fred Rundle is overjoyed for Mohamad: “I think when you combine hope with perseverance and dreams, this is what you get and that’s what Mohamad’s been about ever since he arrived here in our community. The community’s embraced him and they’re ready to embrace his family.”

Foster mother Christine Kenyon’s eyes lit up while discussing Mohamad’s massive effort to reunite with his family.

“I’m not surprised at all. He is a force of nature and the world is better for him being in it,” she said.

Mohamad has set up a GoFundMe page to help settle his refugee family at: http://tinyurl.com/2p3hvkzw