Stranded vet’s thanks after Trump ban shock
A GLASGOW-based vet left stranded after US President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown has thanked those who raised thousands of pounds for a flight back to Scotland.
Hamaseh Tayari, who holds an Iranian passport, was due to fly back to the city via New York on Saturday following a holiday in Costa Rica.
She was left “shocked” and “afraid” after being prevented from doing so by the executive order signed by Mr Trump imposing a 90day ban on entry to the US for nationals from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen.
More than £6000 has been raised through a crowdfunding page set up by Kathleen Caskie from the Women for Independence organisation to cover the cost of alternative flights via Madrid.
Women For Independence said the £2600 needed had been passed to Ms Tayari, with the remainder of donations going to the Scottish Refugee Council.
On Twitter, the organisation said: “Hamaseh has sent this message; I would like to say thanks somehow to all of you and the people that contributed! Thanks to get us back at home. Safe and sound and in peace!”
Ms Tayari, who grew up in Italy, is a postgraduate veterinary student at Glasgow University.
It is hoped she will be able to return to Scotland on Tuesday.
A spokesman for the university said: “We were extremely concerned at the difficulties which one of our postgraduate students encountered on trying to return to the UK via the United States after holidaying in Costa Rica.
“We have been in touch with Hamaseh, who has made arrangements to get back to Glasgow via an alternative route. The university will do all that we can to support her.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “The Scottish Government is closely monitoring the situation and we have made contact with the UK Government to raise the case. We stand ready to offer whatever assistance we can to Ms Tayari or her family at this difficult time.”
Mr Trump’s order barred all refugees from entering the US for four months and indefinitely halted any from Syria. He said the ban was needed to keep out ‘’radical Islamic terrorists’’.