Fort Wayne infant still in Iraq

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - A Fort Wayne toddler is still in Iraq, despite a year-long battle to bring him home. One obstacle remains in getting Amir Al-Shemmari home to the family that desperately misses him. It's an obstacle his mother, Grace is determined to overcome.

Grace has worked tirelessly since returning to the United States without Amir, to get his paperwork in place so that he can come home. It was an effort that began shortly after he was born in Najaf, Iraq, during Grace's first trip outside of the United States. At the time, U.S. embassy officials told her that it was too dangerous to come to Iraq to get Amir a passport and a VISA.

After months of working overseas, trying to get to the embassy in Syria, and the one in Jordan, Grace, her husband Raad, and their eight-year old daughter, Karina returned home. They were convinced officials in the United States would help them.

Almost a year later, Grace is ready to make a return trip to Iraq and bring her son home.

"The paperwork is done," said Grace. "They need me. They only need me."

Grace credits NewsChannel 15 for playing a big roll in completing the paperwork. Staff contacted local legislators on the Al-Shemmari's behalf, and the newsroom helped translate some documents for the family. Grace now has what she calls an "open-appointment" at the embassy in Baghdad, to appear with Amir and then bring him home. Her physical appearance at the embassy is a requirement to file Amir's paperwork.

Baghdad is as dangerous now, as it was a year and a half ago. Just over a week ago, the capital city suffered its most deadly attack in two years: twin suicide bombings that killed more than 155 people. More than 700 people were hurt in the Al-Quada attack, including three American workers.

"I don't feel any more confident [in my safety than before] but I'm not afraid. I want my baby home," said Grace.

A flight to Iraq is costly, though, and like many right now, the Al-Shemmaris are just barely making ends meet. Her husband makes little money at a family car dealership. Grace has been looking for a job for months. She's battling back problems that have put her in the hospital, as she works full-time caring for her ailing mother and her two children here in Fort Wayne.

"Just give me a job, let me work," pleaded Grace. "I don't want anything for free. If you give me a window, I'll go through it!"

Grace has exhausted her efforts for any other flight option. She's looked into humanitarian flights, and cargo flights; anything that could get her to Iraq. Since September 11th, though, airline officials told Grace their freedom to conduct service flights is limited.

Grace and her husband are trying to save any money they can. Right now, though, it seems the pennies and dollars don't build up nearly as quickly as the pain of not having their son. Their contact with her husband's family is waning, and Grace fears her son may not even remember her anymore.

"Part of me thinks he might forget me," said Grace. "But then, I know the bond between a mother and a child is a very, very deep bond and I think that it will come back to him."

To see the originally story that NewsChannel 15 aired about Grace and the Al-Shemmari family, click on the related story link underneath the video player on this page.