NEW YORK (AP) — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Friday that an Iranian infant banned from entering the United States for life-saving heart surgery under President Donald Trump's executive order will now be allowed to travel for the emergency procedure. 
 
 The family had an appointment in Dubai to get a tourist visa, but it was abruptly canceled earlier this week after Trump announced his executive order on immigration banning travel to the U.S. by people from seven predominantly Muslim countries, including Iran. Four-month-old Fatemeh Reshad was forced to return home. 
 
 Iranian doctors told the child's parents weeks ago that she needed at least one urgent surgery — and maybe several — to correct serious heart defects, or she will die, according to her uncle, Samad Taghizadeh, a U.S. citizen who lives in Portland. 
 
 Cuomo said Manhattan's Mount Sinai Medical Center had offered to perform the critical surgery, but the family finally chose to do it in Portland, Oregon, both because of the hospital's pediatric cardiology expertise and proximity to the baby's uncle and grandparents. 
 
 "This evening we were pleased to learn that the federal government has now granted Fatemeh Reshad and her family boarding documents to come to the United States," the governor said in a statement. "We will continue to work with the International Refugee Assistance Project and their partners to ensure this baby receives the treatment she needs, and fight for those being unfairly shut out of America's gates by this policy." 
 
 Cuomo said he worked with the organization to help secure a government visa waiver of Trump's order. 
 
 "Bizarrely, the federal ban would prevent this child from receiving medical care and literally endanger her life," Cuomo said. "It is repugnant to all we believe as Americans and as members of the human family." 
 
 Doctors in Iran sent the results of an echocardiogram and other records that show Fatemeh has structural abnormalities and two holes in her heart, said Jennifer Morrissey, a Portland attorney helping with the case. She said the infant is expected in Portland early next week. 
 
 The issue is time, Taghizadeh told the AP. "She's in an emergency situation and if it takes a long time, they're going to lose her." 
 
 ___ 
 
 AP writer Gillian Flaccus in Portland contributed to this report. ||||| PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Donald Trump’s ban on immigration from 7 Muslim majority counties has prevented even refugees and visitors with approved visas from entering the United States. 
 
 Four-month-old Fatemeh Reshad was all set to travel to the U.S. from Iran with her mother to have an operation that will save her life. 
 
 That was until Trump’s executive order banned immigrants like them from entering the country. 
 
 Fatemeh’s uncle Sam Taghizadeh, a U.S. citizen, says everything changed for his sister and her baby in one night. 
 
 “It was very hard because she got the hope to come to [the] U.S., bring the baby here,” he said. 
 
 He said his family did everything by the book, including obtaining a temporary visa through the U.S. embassy in Dubai (there is no embassy in Iran). 
 
 “We got the hotel, the airplane tickets, everything was ready,” Taghizadeh said. 
 
 Because Fatemeh was born in Iran, the visa and all endorsed documents disappeared overnight on January 27. 
 
 “The next day, I check the site, everything is gone,” Taghizadeh said. “They sent the email saying everything is cancelled and they took the appointment out and we are stuck.” 
 
 Taghizadeh said even though he us a citizen, Trump’s actions against immigrants make him feel like he’s not. 
 
 “Because we’re born in Iran, it’s like he ignores me as a citizen,” Taghizadeh said. “My niece is 4-months-old coming to here for surgery, you’re scared of her?” Taghizadeh said. “What’s she going to do? Is she dangerous?” 
 
 The hospitals in Iran don’t have the proper equipment to operate on Fatemeh. According to Oregon lawmakers who confirmed the situation, Fatemeh’s condition has been reviewed by doctors at hospitals across the U.S. who agree that if she doesn’t get surgery soon, she’ll die. 
 
 “The problem now here is the time,” Taghizadeh said. “If they going to make it for long time, maybe one month, we’re going to lose that baby.” 
 
 Taghizadeh has all the medical documents regarding the baby’s condition and sent them to doctors in New York and OHSU. He said they would have the surgery at any hospital they could in the U.S. Pediatric cardiologists at OHSU have offered to treat her. 
 
 The hospital tweeted Friday that “OHSU stands ready and willing to care for this child if she is able to be admitted to the U.S.” 
 
 Oregon Governor Kate Brown is fighting the White House and hopes in doing so, will save the young girl’s life. 
 
 “I find it deplorable that an infant who was supposed to come to Oregon to receive much needed life-saving care was not able to access that care,�? Brown said. 
 
 “Fatemeh’s life is in peril and, if she does not soon have corrective surgeries, she will die,�? they wrote. 
 
 New York Governor Andrew has been granted a waiver to allow Fatemeh and her family entry to the country. Cuomo worked with the International Refugee Assistance Project to make it happen. 
 
 The pediatric cardiologists at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York have offered to treat the girl for free. 
 
 Before Cuomo’s request was granted, Oregon lawmakers also sent a letter to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Friday asking for a waiver to allow Fatemeh’s family to come to the U.S. 
 
 The letter went on to say: “Granting her family’s request to travel to the U.S. is not only the moral and humanitarian decision, but would signal to Iran and the rest of the world that, even in the face of highly strained diplomatic relations, the United States offers help to those suffering tragic circumstances.�? 
 
 The letter was signed by Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden and Congress representatives Earl Blumenauer, Suzanne Bonamici, Peter DeFazio and Kurt Shrader. 
 
 Now that the path has been cleared for Fatemeh to get to the United States, her family is deciding whether to go to New York or Portland for the surgery. 
 
 “We hope they can make it to OHSU because we are here, we can help, I can help my sister,” Taghizadeh said. ||||| CLOSE Skip in Skip x Embed x Share President Donald Trump has barred all refugees from entering the United States for four months. See how many resettled here last year and how they differ from other immigrants. USA TODAY NETWORK 
 
 Fuad Suleman, center, with his wife and three children arrive back in Erbil, Iraq, after officials at Cairo International Airport told the family they could not continue on a connecting flight to New York's JFK Airport on their way to Nashville Jan. 28, 2017. Instead, they were sent back to Iraq. (Photo: Submitted) 
 
 NASHVILLE — A Kurdish family of five on their way to Nashville were stopped in Cairo before they could board their connecting flight Saturday after President Trump ordered a travel ban targeting several Muslim-majority countries. 
 
 Fuad Sharef Suleman, his wife, Arazoo Ibrahim, and their three children were escorted from Cairo International Airport back to Iraq, even though they had valid visas to enter the United States. 
 
 Suleman called the executive order an act of racism and discrimination. 
 
 "I did not know the president can sign such orders," he said. "Because it looks like those autocratic leaders in corrupt countries, not in a democratic modern country like America." 
 
 Suleman and his family are now stranded with no home and no transportation after having already sold their house, most of their belongings and their vehicles. Suleman quit his job at a pharmaceutical company, Ibrahim resigned from her position as a kindergarten teacher and their children, ages 10-19, left their schools. 
 
 They're staying in a family member's house until they figure out what to do next. 
 
 Trump signed an executive order Friday banning legal travel by citizens of Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen for at least three months. The order also suspends the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program for at least four months. After the initial bans, the nation will only accept travelers from countries with “sufficient safeguards” to ensure the “security and welfare of the United States.” 
 
 Syrian refugees are barred indefinitely. 
 
 Suleman used to work as a regional translator for RTI International, a research organization with a contract through a U.S. government agency that works to end extreme global poverty and promote democracy abroad. Because those who work with the American government in Iraq are in mortal danger from groups like the Islamic State, Suleman and his family were given special immigrant visas to come to the United States. 
 
 Fuad Suleman's wife and three children wait at Cairo International Airport after being told they cannot continue on a connecting flight to New York's JFK Airport on their way to Nashville Jan. 28, 2017. (Photo: Submitted) 
 
 Erbil, where the family is from, is in Kurdistan, a semi-autonomous region in Northern Iraq. Kurdistan is home to the Kurdish Peshmerga — one of the U.S. military's most reliable allies in the fight against ISIS. 
 
 Nashville has the largest population of ethnic Kurds in the United States, with estimates ranging from 12,000 to 17,000. The number is difficult to pinpoint because it's not measured by the U.S. Census. Many of the American Kurds came as refugees during the early '90s after Saddam Hussein attacked them using chemical weapons. 
 
 In a statement, Nashville Mayor Megan Barry said hearing of this family reminded her of the Suleymans, a Kurdish refugee family Nashville welcomed more than three decades ago. Jiyayi Suleyman was the first American Kurd hired by the Nashville Metropolitan Police Department. 
 
 "I know that our city would have embraced and welcomed this family just as we did the Suleymans in 1991 and so many other immigrant and refugee families before and since," Barry said of the. "This arbitrary ban on individuals from certain countries entering the United States is wrong in every way." 
 
 Sen. Steve Dickerson, R-Nashville, said Sunday that while he'd like to see a review of the federal refugee policy and immigration policy, Trump's order goes too far. 
 
 "Nashville and Davidson County have long been home to refugees. They make our community stronger and embody the American Dream to the fullest," he said in a statement. "A full ban, based on country of origin, is contrary to bedrock American values, and, in the end, will only serve to empower our enemies abroad." 
 
 Suleman, 51, said he chose Nashville because of its Kurdish community and because he has friends who live here. 
 
 "And I read on the internet that Nashville is a growing city, quality of life is good there, jobs are available, crime rates are very, very low, so these are points that encouraged me to choose Nashville," he said. 
 
 Cairo officials told Suleman that the U.S. embassy in Baghdad sent a message to officials there that the family were not allowed in the U.S., he said. 
 
 "When I was looking at the faces of my wife, my children, they were about to faint," he said. "They turned pale, and I told them to sit down and drink some water. It was a terrible moment." 
 
 Trump reaffirmed his decision Sunday on Twitter: "Our country needs strong borders and extreme vetting, NOW. Look what is happening all over Europe and, indeed, the world — a horrible mess!" 
 
 And Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., lauded Trump's order as "responsible," saying that U.S. intelligence agencies need time to "ascertain the scope of the Islamic terror threat in order to develop proper refugee vetting protocols — if possible." 
 
 Suleman described himself as a secular family man who loves the diversity of America and said he hates extremists who use religion to justify killing people. 
 
 But he isn't very happy with Trump either. 
 
 "How do you see all people — I mean the whole nation in a certain country — all at the same level?" he said. "No, this is not correct. This is not the right way to deal with people." 
 
 Contributing: USA TODAY. Follow Ariana Sawyer on Twitter: @a_maia_sawyer 
 
 CLOSE Skip in Skip x Embed x Share EXECUTIVE ORDER ON REFUGEES SPARKS PROTESTS How many refugees did the U.S. admit in 2016, anyway? | 1:22 President Donald Trump has barred all refugees from entering the United States for four months. See how many resettled here last year and how they differ from other immigrants. USA TODAY NETWORK 1 of 29 CLOSE Skip in Skip x Embed x Share EXECUTIVE ORDER ON REFUGEES SPARKS PROTESTS Tech world responds harshly to Trump's immigration ban | 0:51 Tech companies had strong responses to Donald Trump's executive order banning immigrants from seven predominantly Muslim countries from entering the U.S., and some took action in response. USA TODAY 2 of 29 CLOSE Skip in Skip x Embed x Share EXECUTIVE ORDER ON REFUGEES SPARKS PROTESTS Protesters: 'We are people; we are not illegal' | 0:40 Hear the chants protesters belted out at San Francisco International Airport on behalf of refugees banned under President Trump's executive order on immigration. USA TODAY NETWORK 3 of 29 CLOSE Skip in Skip x Embed x Share EXECUTIVE ORDER ON REFUGEES SPARKS PROTESTS Donald Trump immigration ban loses first legal battle | 0:53 US President Donald Trump's executive order suspending refugee arrivals for at least 120 days and barring visas from seven Muslim countries has lost its first legal battle after a federal judge ordered detainees at US airports be released. Video provided by AFP Newslook 4 of 29 CLOSE Skip in Skip x Embed x Share EXECUTIVE ORDER ON REFUGEES SPARKS PROTESTS Protests erupt at U.S. airports over refugee ban | 1:26 Protests flared as President Trump's executive order blocked refugees from entering U.S. airports, including travelers who already had valid visas. USA TODAY NETWORK 5 of 29 CLOSE Skip in Skip x Embed x Share EXECUTIVE ORDER ON REFUGEES SPARKS PROTESTS 'Give me your tired, your poor': Statue of Liberty’s immigration poem | 0:44 In the wake of President Donald Trump's executive order on immigration Friday, many critics quickly took up a familiar rallying cry, lifting words from the Statue of Liberty that have for decades represented American immigration. Time 6 of 29 CLOSE Skip in Skip x Embed x Share EXECUTIVE ORDER ON REFUGEES SPARKS PROTESTS Trump's refugee screening takes immediate effect | 1:04 President Donald Trump has barred all refugees from entering the United States for four months, and indefinitely banned all refugees from Syria. USA TODAY NETWORK 7 of 29 CLOSE Skip in Skip x Embed x Share EXECUTIVE ORDER ON REFUGEES SPARKS PROTESTS Protestors rally at JFK Airport over President Trump's executive order | 1:42 Lawyers say dozens of travelers from countries named in President Trump's recent executive order were held at John F. Kennedy International Airport and other airports Saturday amid confusion about whether they could legally enter the country. Time 8 of 29 CLOSE Skip in Skip x Embed x Share EXECUTIVE ORDER ON REFUGEES SPARKS PROTESTS Trump says refugee crackdown 'not a Muslim ban' | 3:02 Shortly after signing documents in the Oval Office, President Donald Trump said his crackdown on refugees and citizens from seven majority-Muslim countries "is not a Muslim ban." (Jan. 28) AP 9 of 29 CLOSE Skip in Skip x Embed x Share EXECUTIVE ORDER ON REFUGEES SPARKS PROTESTS Iran says U.S. citizens are no longer welcome in the country | 0:39 Iran says U.S. citizens are no longer welcome in the country. Buzz60 10 of 29 CLOSE Skip in Skip x Embed x Share EXECUTIVE ORDER ON REFUGEES SPARKS PROTESTS Activists protest Trump's immigration policy at JFK airport | 1:07 Activists protested on Saturday the detention of two Iraqi citizens at New York City's JFK airport, one day after President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning citizens from seven majority-Muslim countries from entering the US. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES Video provided by AFP Newslook 11 of 29 CLOSE Skip in Skip x Embed x Share EXECUTIVE ORDER ON REFUGEES SPARKS PROTESTS Sudanese react to US control on travelers from Muslim countries | 1:10 US President Donald Trump unleashed a wave of alarm Saturday with his order to temporarily halt all refugee arrivals and impose tough controls on travelers from seven Muslim countries. Video provided by AFP Newslook 12 of 29 CLOSE Skip in Skip x Embed x Share EXECUTIVE ORDER ON REFUGEES SPARKS PROTESTS Refugees detained at U.S. borders challenge Donald Trump | 0:57 Lawyers are taking action against President Donald Trump's immigration policy. Veuer's Keleigh Nealon (@keleighnealon) has the story. Buzz60 13 of 29 CLOSE Skip in Skip x Embed x Share EXECUTIVE ORDER ON REFUGEES SPARKS PROTESTS Immigrants with affected family fearful of ban | 2:18 President Donald Trump's signing of an executive action to bring sweeping changes to the nation's refugee policies is causing fear and alarm for immigrants in the U.S. whose family members will be affected. (Jan. 27) AP 14 of 29 CLOSE Skip in Skip x Embed x Share EXECUTIVE ORDER ON REFUGEES SPARKS PROTESTS Trump refugee ban prompts outrage | 1:53 Confusion, worry and outrage grew Saturday as President Donald Trump's crackdown on refugees and citizens from seven majority-Muslim countries took effect. (Jan. 28) AP 15 of 29 CLOSE Skip in Skip x Embed x Share EXECUTIVE ORDER ON REFUGEES SPARKS PROTESTS Tomlin: 'We have to be vigilant and stop certain behaviors' | 1:33 Speaking backstage at the SAG Awards, actress Lily Tomlin admits she's worried about Donald Trump "changing the laws." (Jan. 30) AP 16 of 29 CLOSE Skip in Skip x Embed x Share EXECUTIVE ORDER ON REFUGEES SPARKS PROTESTS Immigration ban protests spark backlash | 1:49 Protests to President Trump’s executive order on immigration have been polarizing for other reasons. USA TODAY NETWORK 17 of 29 CLOSE Skip in Skip x Embed x Share EXECUTIVE ORDER ON REFUGEES SPARKS PROTESTS SAG actors express shock over Muslim ban | 1:55 On the red carpet before the SAG awards, Lily Tomlin, Dev Patel, Jeffrey Tambor, and others express shock over the travel ban signed by President Trump. (January 29) AP 18 of 29 CLOSE Skip in Skip x Embed x Share EXECUTIVE ORDER ON REFUGEES SPARKS PROTESTS Protest of Trump's immigration ban nabs SAG Awards spotlight | 2:00 Oscar season is looking more and more like one very well-dressed protest against President Donald Trump after a fiery SAG Awards where ‘Hidden Figures’ triumphed. (Jan. 29) AP 19 of 29 CLOSE Skip in Skip x Embed x Share EXECUTIVE ORDER ON REFUGEES SPARKS PROTESTS Report: American players stranded in Dubai amid travel bans | 0:46 Two American basketball players are unable to rejoin their team in Iran due to the country’s response to Donald Trump’s immigration ban, according to Chris Mannix of The Vertical. Time Sports 20 of 29 CLOSE Skip in Skip x Embed x Share EXECUTIVE ORDER ON REFUGEES SPARKS PROTESTS 'No hate, no fear': Protests continue nationwide | 1:07 For the second day in a row after President Trump signed an executive order banning immigration from seven Muslim-majority nations, protesters gathered by the hundreds and flooded their local airports. USA TODAY NETWORK 21 of 29 CLOSE Skip in Skip x Embed x Share EXECUTIVE ORDER ON REFUGEES SPARKS PROTESTS Part of Trump's ethics order might look familiar | 1:05 Donald Trump's executive order on ethics looks a lot like Obama's, which looks like Clinton's. Video provided by Newsy Newslook 22 of 29 CLOSE Skip in Skip x Embed x Share EXECUTIVE ORDER ON REFUGEES SPARKS PROTESTS White House: Green Card Holders Won't Be Subject to Immigration Order | 0:50 White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus confirms green card holders moving forward will not be affected. Time 23 of 29 CLOSE Skip in Skip x Embed x Share EXECUTIVE ORDER ON REFUGEES SPARKS PROTESTS Immigration ban protesters gather in Boston | 0:18 Hundreds of protesters in Boston chanted and held signs opposing President Trump's executive order banning all refugees and citizens of seven Muslim-majority nations from entering the U.S. 24 of 29 CLOSE Skip in Skip x Embed x Share EXECUTIVE ORDER ON REFUGEES SPARKS PROTESTS Giuliani: Trump's travel ban is about danger, not Muslims | 0:58 The former New York City mayor says he helped craft the president's executive order temporarily barring refugees and some foreign citizens. Video provided by Newsy Newslook 25 of 29 CLOSE Skip in Skip x Embed x Share EXECUTIVE ORDER ON REFUGEES SPARKS PROTESTS Federal Judge Bars Deportations Under President Trump's Immigration Order | 1:30 A federal judge issued an emergency order Saturday night temporarily barring the U.S. from deporting people from nations subject to President Donald Trump's travel ban. Time 26 of 29 CLOSE Skip in Skip x Embed x Share EXECUTIVE ORDER ON REFUGEES SPARKS PROTESTS Judge blocks removal of immigrants under Trump's executive order | 1:01 Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday that temporarily bans refugees from entering the U.S. Video provided by Newsy Newslook 27 of 29 CLOSE Skip in Skip x Embed x Share EXECUTIVE ORDER ON REFUGEES SPARKS PROTESTS Gov. Inslee: 'What type of inhumane attitude allows this?' | 0:45 Washington State Governor Jay Inslee used fiery words to describe his feelings on President Trump's executive order banning legal U.S. residents and visa-holders from Muslim-majority nations entering the U.S. USA TODAY NETWORK 28 of 29 CLOSE Skip in Skip x Embed x Share EXECUTIVE ORDER ON REFUGEES SPARKS PROTESTS Raw: Protests Continue After Immigration Ban | 1:32 Protests have erupted for the second day after US President Donald Trump issued an executive order to temporarily bar refugees and citizens of seven predominantly Muslim countries from entering the U.S. (Jan 29) AP 29 of 29 Last VideoNext Video How many refugees did the U.S. admit in 2016, anyway? 
 
 Tech world responds harshly to Trump's immigration ban 
 
 Protesters: 'We are people; we are not illegal' 
 
 Donald Trump immigration ban loses first legal battle 
 
 Protests erupt at U.S. airports over refugee ban 
 
 'Give me your tired, your poor': Statue of Liberty’s immigration poem 
 
 Trump's refugee screening takes immediate effect 
 
 Protestors rally at JFK Airport over President Trump's executive order 
 
 Trump says refugee crackdown 'not a Muslim ban' 
 
 Iran says U.S. citizens are no longer welcome in the country 
 
 Activists protest Trump's immigration policy at JFK airport 
 
 Sudanese react to US control on travelers from Muslim countries 
 
 Refugees detained at U.S. borders challenge Donald Trump 
 
 Immigrants with affected family fearful of ban 
 
 Trump refugee ban prompts outrage 
 
 Tomlin: 'We have to be vigilant and stop certain behaviors' 
 
 Immigration ban protests spark backlash 
 
 SAG actors express shock over Muslim ban 
 
 Protest of Trump's immigration ban nabs SAG Awards spotlight 
 
 Report: American players stranded in Dubai amid travel bans 
 
 'No hate, no fear': Protests continue nationwide 
 
 Part of Trump's ethics order might look familiar 
 
 White House: Green Card Holders Won't Be Subject to Immigration Order 
 
 Immigration ban protesters gather in Boston 
 
 Giuliani: Trump's travel ban is about danger, not Muslims 
 
 Federal Judge Bars Deportations Under President Trump's Immigration Order 
 
 Judge blocks removal of immigrants under Trump's executive order 
 
 Gov. Inslee: 'What type of inhumane attitude allows this?' 
 
 Raw: Protests Continue After Immigration Ban 
 
 Read or Share this story: http://usat.ly/2jM9gXm
– A 4-month-old girl barred from entry to the US and the lifesaving surgery she required by President Trump's travel ban received an exemption Friday, the New York Daily News reports. Fatemeh Reshad was born with structural abnormalities in her heart. According to KOIN, US doctors reviewing her medical files agreed she would die soon without surgery, but hospitals at home in Iran didn't have the necessary equipment to perform it. Fatemeh's family received a temporary visa to travel to Oregon for surgery, but it was canceled by Trump's executive order Jan. 27. “My niece is 4-months-old coming here for surgery," says Fatemeh's uncle, a US citizen living in Portland. "You're scared of her?" The International Refugee Assistance Project and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo took up Fatemeh's cause. Cuomo called what was being done to her family "repugnant to all we believe as Americans and as members of the human family," the AP reports. It worked. Fatemeh and her family were granted a waiver to enter the country Friday just as a judge was putting a temporary halt on enforcement of the travel ban. Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York even offered to perform Fatemeh's procedure for free, though her family will be having it done as planned in Oregon, where they have family. Fatemeh should be arriving in Portland early next week.