It’s incredible what can be accomplished when we stop pointing fingers or chanting rhetoric in the name of perceived beliefs of a political party on one side or the other.
Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman today made an impassioned plea to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during a Senate hearing. He urged her assistance in securing a green card for an Afghan surgeon residing in Philadelphia, whom he hailed as a “hero” for saving American lives during the war in Afghanistan. The plea was received with grace and understanding.
In a departure from typical partisan sparring, Senator Fetterman, a Democrat known for his outspoken stance on immigration, began by acknowledging his party’s “failure to secure our border” and the “political price” they deserve to pay.
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He then emphasized his desire to find common ground and work collaboratively with Secretary Noem, despite their differing political affiliations.
“I’m not here for fireworks or to try to create something to be clipped on TV,” Fetterman stated, underscoring his genuine appeal. “I’m honestly coming, you know, asking for your help about a situation here.”
The senator then introduced the case of “Ramin,” an Afghan surgeon now living in Philadelphia. Fetterman explained that Rameen “served alongside our service members there in the war” and “saved American lives.” He elaborated that Ramin “helped evacuate our forces through an airlift” and is awaiting green card approval.
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Fetterman also spoke of the plight of Ramin’s brothers trapped in Pakistan and facing “torture and death” if returned to Afghanistan due to their commitment to a “free and Democratic Afghanistan” and their service to American forces.
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He expressed concern that these individuals may have been “caught up in the middle” of executive orders suspending refugee resettlement.
“I believe they deserve to be here for the sacrifices and what they’ve put at risk,” Fetterman asserted, directly appealing to Secretary Noem for her office’s cooperation in bringing these “Afghan Heroes” to the United States. He reiterated that his vote for Secretary Noem was partly driven by his belief in the need to help those who have served at “amazing, great risk.”
Secretary Noem responded positively to Senator Fetterman’s request, assuring him, “We will certainly work with your office on those specific cases.”
She noted that DHS has already granted status to 8,000 individuals with similar circumstances and acknowledged the importance of vetting, which she believed had already been thoroughly completed for the individuals Fetterman described.
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“It sounds like the individuals that, you know, have been thoroughly vetted in partnership with the United States, and so that that is, uh, something that we’ll look at, and we’ll certainly work with you on recognizing their service to our country,” Secretary Noem affirmed.
“I would be profoundly grateful if my office could work with your team, and perhaps even with state as well, too.” He concluded by emphasizing the shared pursuit of truth and solutions, regardless of political affiliation, “Because there are truth, and it is not owned by one side or the other.”
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