Press Releases

Congresswoman Pingree with members of the Alhanfy Family, including Banah (third from left).

Tomorrow, Congresswoman Pingree will attend President Trump’s first address to the Joint Session of Congress with Banah Al-Hanfy, a young Iraqi woman who was separated from her family due to Trump’s executive order banning immigrants from seven Muslim-majority nations from entering the United States.
 
Statement from Congresswoman Chellie Pingree:
“I am extremely proud to host Banah Al-Hanfy as my guest tomorrow night at President Trump’s address to the Joint Session of Congress. Banah’s father, Labed, helped to keep our servicemembers safe in Iraq by acting as an intrepreter, and in doing so he risked his own family’s safety. We owe Labed a debt of gratitude and an earnest welcome for his selfless service to our nation. I am appalled that one of President Trump’s first actions resulted in so much stress and fear for Banah and her family. There was simply no excuse for what happened to Banah—she had the correct paperwork and legal status. I hope the President will make clear tomorrow evening that his new immigration orders will not attack people who are coming to our nation legally simply because of their religion or country of origin. I also hope Banah will hear President Trump express gratitude for those who've served our military as her father did. ”
 
Banah Al-Hanfy, a 20 year old Iraqi immigrant whose father served as an interpreter for the U.S. military in Iraq, was unable to board a flight from Baghdad in order to resettle with her family in Maine because of President Trump’s unconstitutional travel ban. Worried about his eldest daughter, Labed contacted the Portland Press Herald for help reconnecting with his daughter. After reading the Press Herald’s story, Congresswoman Pingree’s staff and several Portland residents worked with airlines and various Federal agencies in order to reunite Banah with her family in Maine on February 3rd.
 
Politico reports that Banah will be seated in the House gallery among several other individuals who were adversely impacted by President Trump’s travel ban.