Mohammad Yousaf Yahyapur recently spoke in one of my classes. I felt an instant connection with him -- during the war in Afghanistan, he provided assistance to American journalists, translating, finding contacts and arranging meetings. Because of this work, he received dangerous threats and was forced to leave his country and seek refuge in the United States. The same was true for my grandfather in Vietnam in 1975. He had to flee after serving as a liaison between Vietnamese and Americans during the Vietnam War. The only difference is, my grandfather was allowed to bring his family with him.

Mohammad received refugee status in the U.S. in 2013. U.S. immigration policy allows refugees to request permanent residency for their families, which Mohammad did immediately upon his arrival. But United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has taken no significant action to grant his wife and three young children permission to join him here.

Mohammad risked his life to help American journalists and the American public understand what was happening in Afghanistan, and he continues his work educating people on Middle Eastern affairs and supporting fellow refugees. His family poses no security risk whatsoever.

Mohammad is a humanitarian and a hero. We must fight to help him as he has helped us all these years. Please join me in urging New York Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer to push for the granting of immediate residency to the family of Mohammad Yousaf Yahyapur.

Mohammad fears for the safety of his family, as they reside in one of the most dangerous areas of Afghanistan. In recent years, many people who have worked with American media outlets in the same ways as he did have also been threatened and even directly harmed. Many have had their families threatened as well. Mohammad’s family is his backbone and greatest support, and every day that passes is another day that he is missing out on watching his children grow.

Mohammad is using his qualifications and personal experience to improve the lives of American citizens, especially those who are generally underrepresented. The USCIS has proven unresponsive in his case, but some prodding by his senators would go a long way toward getting him justice.

We must ask Senators Gillibrand and Schumer to act now to bring Mohammad’s family to the U.S. so his immigration nightmare can finally end.