Dear Neighbor,
Welcome to the latest edition of my Capitol and Community Updates e-newsletter. As we make our way into November and the temperatures begin to drop, I hope you’re staying warm and enjoying the changing season. With the cooler weather settling in, it’s a great time to reflect on all the work we’ve accomplished this year and look ahead to the important issues still on the horizon.
Over the past month, I’ve introduced several pieces of legislation aimed at honoring those who serve our communities, cleaning up the environment, and ensuring that the voices of Middle Eastern American communities are heard and represented in state government. Included in this edition are some important legislative and community updates, along with a few resources I hope will be helpful.
Please do not hesitate to contact my office by phone at (517) 373-0144 or email at AlabasFarhat@house.mi.gov with questions about this or any other state-level issue.
Sincerely,
Alabas A. Farhat
State Representative, 3rd House District
Lebanon Evacuation Resources
I have been working diligently with our federal partners to get U.S. citizens and their families who are trapped in Lebanon evacuated as swiftly as possible. There are avenues for U.S. citizens and legal residents to help their loved ones depart the country safely. Included in this newsletter are resources for those who need assistance getting their family members out of Lebanon.
Departure Assistance
U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents in Lebanon should alert the Embassy in Beirut to their presence using the Department of State Crisis Intake Form (https://mytravel.state.gov/s/crisis-intake). On the form, they can identify the type of assistance they need. Family members of U.S. citizens trapped in Lebanon can fill out the form on their behalf, but the State Department has emphasized that only one form should be filled out per person to prevent duplicate information in the system.
The State Department informed offices it will begin to augment the currently available commercial flight capacity out of Beirut for U.S. citizens. U.S. citizens needing departure assistance should indicate that need on the crisis intake form. However, the Embassy is still encouraging U.S. citizens to continue booking commercial travel, where possible.
Visa Assistance
The U.S. Embassy in Beirut is accepting limited direct filing of immigrant visa petitions (USCIS Form I-130) when a U.S. citizen is physically in Lebanon and seeking to depart with their immediate relative (spouse, parent, unmarried child under 21). The U.S. citizen cannot already have a pending petition with USCIS.
For a citizen located in the U.S. filing for their family in Lebanon, they will need to continue to file their Form I-130 the routine way, through USCIS. For cases involving circumstances which would meet the USCIS expedite criteria, my office and the office of U.S. Senator Gary Peters can file requests on your behalf. The expedite criteria is on the USCIS website at https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-guidance/expedite-requests. Immigrant visa case expedites (both with USCIS and the State Department) are being considered based on the unique emergent circumstances in each case.
Who should file: U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or U.S. nationals. You will need to establish your qualifying relationship with an eligible relative (the beneficiary) who wishes to come to or stay in the United States permanently and apply for the Permanent Resident Card (also called a Green Card).
Helpful Links:
Lebanon Travel Advisory, updated Sept. 28: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/lebanon-travel-advisory.html
Lebanon Country Information Page: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Lebanon.html
U.S. Embassy Beirut Website: https://lb.usembassy.gov/
What the Department of State Can and Can’t Do in a Crisis: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/emergencies/what-state-dept-can-cant-do-crisis.html
Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP): step.state.gov
Most recent security alert: Sept. 28: https://lb.usembassy.gov/security-alert-u-s-embassy-beirut-lebanon-september-28-2024/
Sept. 27: https://lb.usembassy.gov/security-alert-u-s-embassy-beirut-lebanon-september-27-2024/
Crisis Intake Form for U.S. citizens in Lebanon seeking information about departure assistance: https://mytravel.state.gov/s/crisis-intake
American Citizen Services contact info: BeirutACS@state.gov
Consular Affairs 1(833) 890-9595 (toll free) and (606) 641-0131 (local)
Contact info for Immigrant Visa cases: BeirutIV@state.gov
For updates on U.S. visa processing in Lebanon: https://lb.usembassy.gov/visas/ or https://www.ustraveldocs.com/lb.
Immigration Relief in Emergencies: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/immigration-relief-in-emergencies-or-unforeseen-circumstances#:~:text=Unforeseen%20circumstances%2C%20such%20as%20natural,%2C%20petition%2C%20or%20immigration%20request.
DHS Expedite Requests: https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-guidance/expedite-requests
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Upcoming Events
Festival of Trees
Nov. 23 through Dec. 1 at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center.
Annual fundraiser for the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation
Annual Tree-Lighting Celebration
Nov. 25 at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center
CVS Health Event
Thursday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., 15325 Michigan Ave. in Dearborn
CVS Health is continuing its Project Health campaign this fall, providing free wellness services at CVS Pharmacies and community partners in our area. Project Health offers a range of free health risk assessments, including screenings for depression, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), glucose, and total cholesterol. These services are critical in identifying health risks early, and on-site consultations with bilingual nurse practitioners ensure that everyone receives the care they need. CVS pharmacists will also be available to answer any medication-related questions you may have.
Holidays
Veterans Day
Celebrated on Nov. 11, Veterans Day is a holiday that honors and expresses gratitude to all military veterans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. The holiday recognizes the sacrifices and contributions of these men and women to the nation’s security and freedom.
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving, which is observed on the fourth Thursday in November, is a holiday that celebrates gratitude and togetherness, traditionally marked by a shared feast. While the holiday is often associated with themes of gratitude and feasting, it is rooted in early encounters between Native Americans and European settlers, which were followed by centuries of colonization and injustice toward Indigenous peoples.
Pushing the People’s Agenda
Last month, I was honored to introduce these important bills:
House Bill 5924
This bill proposes to amend the Michigan Memorial Highway Act by designating a portion of I-94 in Wayne County as the “Officer Mohamed Said Memorial Highway.” This legislation honors Officer Said’s dedicated service and sacrifice to our community, ensuring his legacy is recognized and remembered.
House Bill 5934 and 5935
These bills aim to revive the Clean Michigan Initiative by allowing the state to utilize up to $10 billion to enhance critical infrastructure. This funding will support efforts in water and sewer upgrades, air pollution reduction, and the redevelopment of contaminated sites, ultimately improving the quality of life for Michiganders while creating thousands of jobs in historically underserved communities.
House Bill 5936
This bill proposes the establishment of a “Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs” which will advise the governor and state officials on matters impacting Middle Eastern American communities in Michigan. Composed of 15 appointed members, the commission will focus on promoting equal access to services and education, addressing discrimination, and enhancing the quality of life for these communities while fostering public awareness of their cultural contributions.
Publications
A resource my office has to offer, but many may not know about, are constituent publications! The House of Representatives produces several publications full of useful information for constituents to use, and my office can provide them. Some of our most popular publications are:
- Constituent’s Guide to State Government
- Services for Seniors
- Veterans Benefits
- Tenant’s Rights
- Guide to Medical and Legal Decisions
- Guide to Custody, Parenting Time and Support
- A Student’s Guide to the Legislative Process in MI
- And more!
Please reach out to my office at the contact information below if you are interested in learning more or would like us to send you any copies.
State of Michigan Tribute Nominations
If you know an individual, business, or community landmark that you believe deserves special recognition in the form of a tribute, please reach out to my office or submit a request here. One of my favorite parts of serving as your state representative is visiting teachers, small-business owners, and others to offer our gratitude for the work they do to support our community daily.
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