A U.S. Citizen ICU Physician Can’t Bring His Parents Home. Fix the 4-Year Delay
A U.S. Citizen ICU Physician Can’t Bring His Parents Home. Fix the 4-Year Delay
The Issue
Dr. Abdulhakim Tlimat is a U.S. citizen and a highly respected ICU and critical care physician at UAB Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama. Every day, he serves Alabama families in their most vulnerable moments, fighting to save lives in the ICU, advancing medical safety through research, and filling a critical gap in a state already facing a severe physician shortage.
Despite his service to this country and his community, his family has been separated for over four years due to an unexplained delay in visa “administrative processing.”
Both parents visas were approved but have been delayed in issuing for unknown reasons.
Both of his parents, including his retired physician father legally applied for their visas, completed every requirement, and were officially approved, yet they remain stuck in endless review with no answers and no timeline.
During these four years, their health has declined as they continue living alone in uncertainty. They are elderly, separated from their only son, and suffering through unnecessary delays.. while he continues caring for Alabama families with no ability to bring his own parents home.
This is not a matter of politics.
This is a matter of basic humanity.
The U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Department of State have the authority to review and resolve these cases. We are asking for immediate humanitarian consideration and expedited action to reunite this family before it is too late.
No family should be separated for four years after doing everything the right and legal way.
No elderly parents should be left waiting in decline without answers.
And the United States should not lose dedicated physicians because of avoidable bureaucratic delay.
By signing this petition, you are calling on:
The U.S. Embassy in Abu DhabiThe Department of State Visa Office
Alabama’s elected officials
to intervene and bring closure, justice, and compassion to this case.
Your signature is more than support, it is a lifeline for a family that has been stuck in silence for far too long.
Let’s reunite Dr. Tlimat’s parents and bring humanity back to this process.
1,928
The Issue
Dr. Abdulhakim Tlimat is a U.S. citizen and a highly respected ICU and critical care physician at UAB Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama. Every day, he serves Alabama families in their most vulnerable moments, fighting to save lives in the ICU, advancing medical safety through research, and filling a critical gap in a state already facing a severe physician shortage.
Despite his service to this country and his community, his family has been separated for over four years due to an unexplained delay in visa “administrative processing.”
Both parents visas were approved but have been delayed in issuing for unknown reasons.
Both of his parents, including his retired physician father legally applied for their visas, completed every requirement, and were officially approved, yet they remain stuck in endless review with no answers and no timeline.
During these four years, their health has declined as they continue living alone in uncertainty. They are elderly, separated from their only son, and suffering through unnecessary delays.. while he continues caring for Alabama families with no ability to bring his own parents home.
This is not a matter of politics.
This is a matter of basic humanity.
The U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Department of State have the authority to review and resolve these cases. We are asking for immediate humanitarian consideration and expedited action to reunite this family before it is too late.
No family should be separated for four years after doing everything the right and legal way.
No elderly parents should be left waiting in decline without answers.
And the United States should not lose dedicated physicians because of avoidable bureaucratic delay.
By signing this petition, you are calling on:
The U.S. Embassy in Abu DhabiThe Department of State Visa Office
Alabama’s elected officials
to intervene and bring closure, justice, and compassion to this case.
Your signature is more than support, it is a lifeline for a family that has been stuck in silence for far too long.
Let’s reunite Dr. Tlimat’s parents and bring humanity back to this process.
1,928
The Decision Makers
Supporter Voices
Petition created on November 28, 2025