Sen. Murphy Helps National Guard Member, Syrian Asylee, Earn U.S. Citizenship

Report by Paula Antolini
June 16, 2017 12:24PM EDT

 

 

Sen. Murphy Helps National Guard Member, Syrian Asylee, Earn U.S. Citizenship

 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) announced on Friday that Mohammed A. Wardeh of Danbury – a member of the National Guard and a Syrian asylee – has received his U.S. citizenship. Murphy’s office worked with the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to cut through red tape and remove a hold on the status of Wardeh’s certificate of naturalization. Wardeh has lived in Danbury for the past three years and currently works as a web developer for the United Nations. He received his certificate of naturalization and officially became a U.S. citizen on June 7, 2017.

“Mohammed has been through a lot since leaving Syria, but despite it all, he has chosen to serve to our country and become a U.S. citizen. That should inspire us all. Helping people like Mohammed is some of the most rewarding work I do in the Senate,” said Murphy. “I’m thrilled that my office could step in to help, and I hope that anyone in Connecticut who needs assistance will reach out to us – that’s what we’re here for.”

 

“I can’t thank Senator Murphy and his staff enough. I am so grateful for what they’ve done to help me. It’s sentimental to become a citizen of the country that I signed up to serve and put my life on the line for. It’s a real honor and a privilege,” said Mr. Mohammed Wardeh. “Being a Muslim in this country during this time of polarization can be tough, but I trust the system that is there to protect us and I feel a real sense of belonging here.”

 

Wardeh grew up in Syria. In 2005, he took a job with the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. In 2007, Wardeh came to the United States on a G-4 visa, which is a nonimmigrant U.S. visa for employees of international organizations. Wardeh has worked for the United Nations ever since. Wardeh was granted asylum in the United States in 2012. Wardeh resides in Danbury, Connecticut, with his wife and three children – ages nine, seven, and three – all of whom are U.S. citizens. Wardeh soon hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in computer science.

Connecticut residents in need of help with a federal agency can request assistance from Murphy’s office through the his website, or by calling Murphy’s Hartford office at 860-549-8463. Murphy’s office has a dedicated team of caseworkers who are committed to helping people in Connecticut resolve problems with Social Security, Medicare, immigration, military service, veteran’s benefits, federal worker compensation claims, tax matters and the IRS, passport assistance, grants, small business concerns, and many other important federal issues.

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