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UMKC student returns to US after stranded by travel ban

Posted at 9:45 PM, Feb 09, 2017
and last updated 2017-02-09 23:35:04-05

A federal appeals court upheld a lower court's ruling, blocking President Donald Trump’s travel ban on Thursday afternoon.

The ban stopped travel from seven Muslim-majority countries, leaving thousands stranded as they tried to come back to the U.S. One of those people is a UMKC student.

Fatma Abdalla went home to Libya in January for her sister’s wedding.

She never imagined her trip would almost turn into a one-way ticket.

“It is not only difficult, it is unbelievable you know," Abdalla said. “How can you feel that you will not be again with your family?”

She is a wife and mother of three young children. The family came to Kansas City so she could study for her Master's and Ph.D. degrees at UMKC.

RELATED | Travel ban keeps UMKC student & mother from family

“When this travel ban was announced it was like a shock. I mean this would change my life into a very bad situation,” she said.

Abdalla finally made it back to KC on Wednesday night.

She said her family plans to go back to Libya for good after she finishes her degree.

“There are many people who were, and are still, stuck in my situation,” she said. “And now it's safe for everyone to reunite with their families, finish their studies, if they are working, whatever they are doing.”

Trump stands by his executive order, citing it’s how to keep America safe.

He plans to fight the court ruling. 

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Lexi Sutter can be reached at lexi.sutter@kshb.com.

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