A Rhode Island physician contacted Senator Whitehouse’s office for assistance bringing his father to the United States from Syria for urgent pancreatic cancer surgery. Due to the persistent conflicts in Syria, local Syrian hospitals were struggling to meet his needs. This concerned son was able to get an appointment for his father at the U.S. Embassy in Amman, Jordan to apply for a visa, but the interview was not for another month.
Worried about his father’s health condition, he reach out to Senator Whitehouse’s office to request an expedited appointment. Working with Senator Whitehouse’s office, the Embassy granted the request after the family secured proof from doctors that he had cancer and demonstrated his ability to pay for the surgery. In addition, Senator Whitehouse’s office secured a visa appointment for this Rhode Islander’s mother at the same time, so both could travel together if approved. Senator Whitehouse’s office corresponded with the consulate staying updated on the visa process for both parents to assure all was going as planned.
After a positive review from the Consulate, the visas were approved within a day so the parents could travel to the United States. His parents arrived safely in the U.S. one week from the day he contacted Senator Whitehouse’s office for assistance. His father successfully underwent surgery in Rhode Island.