Meet the Couple Reunited in Michigan After Two Years of Separation Under Travel Ban

Stephen Henderson speaks with Michigan resident Oliva Cross, her Iranian husband Yahya Abedi, and Jason Rezaian of the Washington Post.

Gus Navarro/WDET

We’ve heard a lot in the past year about how the Trump administration’s immigration policies affect families. A recent piece in the Washington Post looked specifically at how the travel ban affects marriages by separating couples.

Nine days later, one of the couples profiled in the piece — Michigan resident Olivia Cross and her Iranian husband Yahya Abedi — were notified by American officials that they could reunite.

The Post captured their reunion in Detroit in a piece titled, “Trump’s Travel Ban Couldn’t Stop Their Love. Others May Not Be As Lucky.”

It’s true: The Post has received some 800 letters from couples caught in the same administrative purgatory.

Cross, Abedi, and Washington Post global opinions writer Jason Rezaian join Detroit Today with Stephen Henderson to talk about their story and how it compares to many other couples in the same situation.

Click on the audio player above to hear that conversation.

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    Dynamic and diverse voices. News, politics, community and the issues that define our region. Hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Stephen Henderson, Detroit Today brings you fresh and perceptive views weekdays at 9 am and 7 pm.