Press Release
Posted:
Napa, CA – Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) met with Napa resident Ghassan Rustom and his family members. Mr. Rustom’s family members, including his wife and kids, were visiting family in Syria when violence suddenly broke out. As U.S. Citizens and North Bay residents, the Rustom family required help arranging safe transport home. After the family was denied assistance by the U.S. embassy due to the dangerous conditions in Syria, Thompson and his staff stepped in to coordinate with the Red Cross and help bring the Rustom family home safely:
“Welcome home to the Rustom family!” said Thompson. “My team and I recently worked to help twelve members of the Rustom family get back home safely from Syria after violence broke out while they were visiting family there. Despite the U.S. embassy declining to help, my team and I were able to coordinate with the Red Cross to arrange travel and ensure every member of the family, who are all U.S. citizens, got back home safely. If you or a family member need help navigating a federal agency or are facing issues while traveling abroad, please contact my office for help.”
“This summer, my wife and six children traveled to Syria, but their trip took a frightening turn when ISIS attacked our city of Suwaida, targeting the Druze community because of their faith. In that desperate moment, I reached out to Mike Thompson, who immediately took action. He and his team contacted the U.S. Embassy in Amman as well as the Red Cross to explore every possible way to help. They kept me updated day by day, walking me through each step as the situation unfolded. Thanks to their tireless efforts, my family was ultimately evacuated with the help of the Red Cross. I am deeply grateful to Mike Thompson and his team for their unwavering support and for bringing my family back to safety,” said Ghassan Rustom.
If you need help with passports and visas, veterans benefits, IRS issues, agricultural issues, small business assistance, immigration, Medicare and Medicaid, or if you are facing any other problem navigating the federal government, please visit Rep. Thompson’s page on Help with a Federal Agency or contact his nearest office for assistance:
- Napa (707) 226-9898
- Santa Rosa (707) 542-7182
- Woodland (530) 753-5301
- Washington (202) 225-3311