Nigerian American hopes to reunite with siblings
Yemi Ojeyemi, 53, of Copiague, a native of Nigeria, said she recognizes why the United States government is concerned about security and protecting the nation from threats abroad, some of the stated reasons behind the latest expansion of President Donald Trumps travel restrictions, starting this month, to six additional countries that include her homeland.
But she is also concerned about the collateral consequences on her family and people like them on Long Island, in the United States and beyond.
I do understand it's to protect this nation, said Ojeyemi, who lived in Lagos, immigrated to the United States, and now works in the administration building for Northwell Health in Lake Success. At the same time, it's going to affect other people that are innocent.
Ojeyemi came to the United States in 1996 after her husband won a visa lottery and he brought her under family immigration policies at the time. She has brought her mother over who has since moved to Texas from Long Island and the family has beenhoping to reunite with her sisters, a banker and registered nurse, and her brother, a mechanical engineer.
I want my siblings to have the same opportunities that I have. I mean, getting an education here is one of the best things that happened to me, she said. I don't know how that's going to go now.
The family who are now all American citizens has been trying since 2015, when the application was filed,to bring her siblings over. Now, with the restrictions being implemented by Trump, thatis all uncertain.
Get the latest breaking news as it happens.
By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy.
I love this country and I enjoy all the benefits that I have, but at the same time I still understand how it's going to affect other people, she said.
Nigerians come to the United States for various reasons, according to Pastor Modupe Emmanuel of Jesus Friends Assembly in Hauppauge.
There are urgent needs, such as escaping religious persecution (The church in Nigeria is being persecuted. Christians are being killed, she said.) And everyday reasons, such as visiting loved ones and attending weddings (There are people who have families in Nigeria, for example, and they want their families to come over to stay, to go to school to attend their weddings, she said.).
The United States is safe. she said. The countrys secure. We know that.
President Trump has said he wants to address the persecution of Christians in Nigeria. In 2018, according to a transcript posted on the White House website, he said: Weve had very serious problems with Christians who have been murdered, killed in Nigeria. Were going to be working on that problem, and working on that problem very, very hard, because we cant allow that to happen.
The travel restrictions would impact local Nigerians, including immigrants who are here and those who live there, according to Emmanuel.
I think everyone in the United States would at some point who is an immigrant want to have their family come visit parents, sisters, children and all that.
She added: We hold weddings and people come.
Deborah Mazura of Eastport, who runs the Seeds of Hope Tanzania charity, and who has hosted four Tanzanianson Long Island since 2007, is concerned about the impact the travel restrictions will have on some of the people who need help the most.
Theres a lot of good work that goes on, said Mazura of the charity.
Seeds of Hope helps families and children in the East African nation overcome extreme poverty, with a particular focus on orphaned children and helps Tanzanians learn best practices from the United States and Long Island to bring back to Africa.
For example, the charity shows Tanzanians group-home settings and organizations that help people with special needs and allows them to be able to take that back with them.
The travel restrictions could dampen her ability to bring over beneficiaries of the charity to Long Island to discuss with sponsors the good work being done, Mazura said.
They can come over and say, 'Yes Seeds of Hope has dug a well. Its helped 130 children in our orphanage,' she said. It helps for people to understand the impact that our charity is having.
Faraja Deo Tarimo, 28, of Tanzania, hoped to come to Long Island this spring to learn more about how to help special needs children and adults he works with.
Among their conditions at the Step by Step Learning Centre where he works: autism, mild paralysis, Downsyndrome, cerebral palsy, ADHD, bone deformity andslow learning.
"I would be able to see special education programs," he said in text interview over WhatsApp, "and it would help me bring new knowledge and ideas to Step-by-Step!"
But his visa hasalready been denied it was to be April 5 to April 26 and now with the travel restrictions being put in place by Trump, it couldbe more difficult for him to visit Long Island and bring back best practicesfor his organization.
There is also a deeplypersonal reason he wants to visit the United States: to see Raeann Mariella, 26, of Patchogue; the two have had a romantic connection since 2013, when she visited Tanzania. She hasbeen going back ever since.
"She has a golden , for all these years she has been there for me understanding me, very caring ... She has a heart of helping and thinking about others who are down and encourage them that life is beautiful. Also I love how passionate shes about her job! Shes the BEST and I just feel special with her," he wrote.
The two are in the same profession. She works as a residential supervisor of a group home in Mastic for adults.
"We just instantly connected, and I just felt like there was something there," she said in an interview. She added: "He is the best man beside my father and beside God that I can think of. His heart is just unlike anybodys and thats what I want to be with."
During his visit, she said, she would have shown him the organization where she works. Also an accountant, he wanted to learn about financial systems and fundraisingfor the organization.
I would like to improve the techniques were using in the adult program but also to come up with a solid business plan for [these] adult students to earn income from these projects they are doing, he said. Here in Tanzania mentalchallenged adults they cant be employed as normal people because of their situations
Now that's all uncertain. Tarimo says he hopes it's possible the two will be able to be together, despite the new travel restrictions.
"Yes, Im concerned it will make it harder for us but I dont want to worry much about that. I believe and trust things will work out and even if it wont work, she will be coming to Tanzania and we will make it here," he said. "For the time being I have to concentrate on my work and the passion I have for disabled people and my country."
He added: "Shes my best friend and shes one of the most special people in my life. We look forward to have a future together."
Matthew Chayes, a Newsday reporter since 2007, covers New York City Hall.
More here:
Disruptions feared from expansion of travel restrictions - Newsday
- Cerebral Palsy: Diagnosis - May 7th, 2011 [May 7th, 2011]
- Cerebral palsy treatment NeuWellness - May 14th, 2011 [May 14th, 2011]
- cerebral palsy treatment in india-indian cerebral palsy video 1 - May 20th, 2011 [May 20th, 2011]
- CP Cerebral Palsy Acupuncture Treatment Research. www.thetole.org - May 24th, 2011 [May 24th, 2011]
- cerebral palsy treatment in india/dr vipul shah/ indian cerebral palsy - June 9th, 2011 [June 9th, 2011]
- cerebral palsy treatment in india/indian cerebral palsy/dr vipul shah/follow up - June 23rd, 2011 [June 23rd, 2011]
- TheraSuit treatment for Cerebral Palsy - July 3rd, 2011 [July 3rd, 2011]
- Stem cell treatment for Cerebral Palsy-Jerica Cole's post interview.avi - July 15th, 2011 [July 15th, 2011]
- Cerebral Palsy Treatment.... Hindi - August 19th, 2011 [August 19th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Treatment for Cerebral Palsy (Periventricular Leukomalacia) - August 21st, 2011 [August 21st, 2011]
- Stem Cell Treatment for Cerebral Palsy at the XCell-Center in Germany - August 25th, 2011 [August 25th, 2011]
- cerebral palsy treatment,lilou,essentis,therasuit,banana,spider,nazarov,guez - August 29th, 2011 [August 29th, 2011]
- cerebral palsy treatment,helena,essentis,therasuit,guez,spider,nazarov,guez - September 30th, 2011 [September 30th, 2011]
- walking before training lokomat for cerebral palsy treatment - September 30th, 2011 [September 30th, 2011]
- TheraSuit Therapy for Cerebral Palsy - Case 1 - October 2nd, 2011 [October 2nd, 2011]
- Cerebral palsy patient Atillia before stem cell treatment 2.wmv - October 10th, 2011 [October 10th, 2011]
- Stem cell treatment for Cerebral Palsy-Jerica Cole's pre interview.avi - October 11th, 2011 [October 11th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Treatment - Cerebral Palsy (2) - Video - October 16th, 2011 [October 16th, 2011]
- magic treatment for cerebral palsy -indian cerebral palsy treatment in india/delhi - Video - October 18th, 2011 [October 18th, 2011]
- Cerebral palsy patient Atillia after stem cell treatment 1.wmv - Video - October 19th, 2011 [October 19th, 2011]
- Cerebral Palsy: A new treatment: Part 1 - Video - October 21st, 2011 [October 21st, 2011]
- Cerebral Palsy Hyperbaric treatment in Margate Florida 954-975-3563 - Video - October 22nd, 2011 [October 22nd, 2011]
- Cerebral palsy patient Gabor after stem cell treatment 3.1.wmv - Video - October 29th, 2011 [October 29th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Treatment for Cerebral Palsy - Video - October 30th, 2011 [October 30th, 2011]
- Brian's Story: Dr. Huo's miraculous acupuncture treatment of Cerebral Palsy - Video - October 30th, 2011 [October 30th, 2011]
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Treatment for Cerebral Palsy - Video - November 1st, 2011 [November 1st, 2011]
- After Stem Cell Transplant treatment for Cerebral Palsy - Video - November 2nd, 2011 [November 2nd, 2011]
- indian cerebral palsy treatment-dr vipul shah - Video - November 6th, 2011 [November 6th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Therapy for Cerebral Palsy - Video - November 10th, 2011 [November 10th, 2011]
- Cerebral Palsy(CP) Scientific Treatment Research Center - Video - November 10th, 2011 [November 10th, 2011]
- Cerebral Palsy Treatment - November 17th, 2011 [November 17th, 2011]
- Stem Cells: Treatment for Cerebral Palsy - Video - December 10th, 2011 [December 10th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Therapy - Cerebral Palsy Treatment || Holly Catalano Update - Video - December 29th, 2011 [December 29th, 2011]
- Lasertherapy Bular - Treatment of Infantile Cerebral Palsy - Video - January 4th, 2012 [January 4th, 2012]
- Cerebral palsy patient Bianca after stem cell treatment 3.wmv - Video - January 4th, 2012 [January 4th, 2012]
- Cerebral Palsy Treatment by Dr.Babu Sudheendra Nath - Video - January 31st, 2012 [January 31st, 2012]
- The Methodist Hospital in Houston Is First to Offer New Device to Improve Walking - February 1st, 2012 [February 1st, 2012]
- Baby Logan inspires family to help - February 14th, 2012 [February 14th, 2012]
- Santi KM Bhagat: The 8 Million That Health Care Reform Forgot - February 14th, 2012 [February 14th, 2012]
- Ben's Bells: Patient grateful for Brownies' efforts - February 19th, 2012 [February 19th, 2012]
- Family’s appeal to improve care for disabled Jack, 3 - February 20th, 2012 [February 20th, 2012]
- Families, hospitals fighting Medicaid cuts - February 20th, 2012 [February 20th, 2012]
- Barrow family’s appeal to improve care for disabled Jack, 3 - February 20th, 2012 [February 20th, 2012]
- Earnings Beat for Acorda - February 21st, 2012 [February 21st, 2012]
- Dance to support Shriners Hospital for Children - February 25th, 2012 [February 25th, 2012]
- US trip holds hope for city boy - February 28th, 2012 [February 28th, 2012]
- Santanu Mitra - February 28th, 2012 [February 28th, 2012]
- City hospital to offer walking op - February 28th, 2012 [February 28th, 2012]
- CBR's Newborn Possibilities Program Provides Cord Blood Banking at No Cost to Families with an Identified Medical Need - February 29th, 2012 [February 29th, 2012]
- Charity golfers to the fore - February 29th, 2012 [February 29th, 2012]
- Assistive Mobility Devices Designed by Mobility Research Now Offered by Rehabmart.com - March 2nd, 2012 [March 2nd, 2012]
- Help to give Aiden, 2, chance of better life - March 4th, 2012 [March 4th, 2012]
- Conman Neil Jackson jailed for six years after false sickness claims for son - March 4th, 2012 [March 4th, 2012]
- Tesco manager conned £60k out of staff for son's 'fatal illness' and spent it on holidays - March 6th, 2012 [March 6th, 2012]
- Tesco manager conned £60,000 out of staff for son¿s ¿fatal illness¿ and spent the money on holidays to Hawaii and Las ... - March 6th, 2012 [March 6th, 2012]
- Ontario At The Centre Of World-Leading Brain Research - March 6th, 2012 [March 6th, 2012]
- R5.5m claim after baby born with cerebral palsy - March 6th, 2012 [March 6th, 2012]
- Uncertainty over NHS reforms threatens future of world leading cerebal palsy centre - March 6th, 2012 [March 6th, 2012]
- Birth Injuries from Medical Malpractice Can Create a Lifetime of Financial and Emotional Challenges for Victims and ... - March 7th, 2012 [March 7th, 2012]
- Ontario brains put their heads together - March 7th, 2012 [March 7th, 2012]
- ‘PediaSuit’ helps cerebral palsy patient walk - March 9th, 2012 [March 9th, 2012]
- Charity Caudwell Children donates wheelchair to Norwich youngster - March 10th, 2012 [March 10th, 2012]
- Elgin Easter Seals gets more space, bilingual programs - March 11th, 2012 [March 11th, 2012]
- A war on brain illness should be declared - March 12th, 2012 [March 12th, 2012]
- More children now living with 'life-limiting' conditions - March 12th, 2012 [March 12th, 2012]
- Assessing innovative intervention for children with cerebral palsy - March 15th, 2012 [March 15th, 2012]
- Cerebral Palsy In Children - Innovative Intervention Evaluated - March 15th, 2012 [March 15th, 2012]
- Cerebral palsy hindering 4-year-oldâs movement - March 17th, 2012 [March 17th, 2012]
- West Fargo boy with cerebral palsy can now walk without crutches; parents credit stem cell therapy - March 19th, 2012 [March 19th, 2012]
- Cerebral palsy research brings hope to new mums - March 21st, 2012 [March 21st, 2012]
- Center offers hyperbaric treatment - March 21st, 2012 [March 21st, 2012]
- $100-million Children’s Treatment Centre to be built in lower city - March 22nd, 2012 [March 22nd, 2012]
- White Lodge Centre marks 50 years in 2012 - March 22nd, 2012 [March 22nd, 2012]
- Telethon Delivers Life Changing Services - March 23rd, 2012 [March 23rd, 2012]
- Teachers allegedly call special-needs kid 'disgusting' - March 31st, 2012 [March 31st, 2012]
- Cerebral palsy drug may offer hope for treatment - April 20th, 2012 [April 20th, 2012]
- Prevention of cerebral palsy - April 20th, 2012 [April 20th, 2012]
- Study gives new hope on cerebral palsy - April 20th, 2012 [April 20th, 2012]
- Prrvention of cerebral palsy - April 20th, 2012 [April 20th, 2012]
- PRB at Wayne State/DMC discover window of opportunity to prevent cerebral palsy - April 20th, 2012 [April 20th, 2012]