A Pakistani Family's Fight for their Son's Continual Stay in the United States

Leash Alaine
Mr. Michael Freeman 
Christian Perspectives: Intolerable Tolerance
February 11, 2014

A Pakistani Family's Fight for their Son's Continual Stay in the United States

    

      Foreign exchange student Muhammad Shahzaib Bajwa was only twenty years old when his life turned upside down. He may not quite understand his current situation: he has been in a Minnesota hospital for almost three months because of a serious car collision he had with a deer back in November 2013 (Karnowski 2). It is not uncommon for deer to surprise car drivers by jumping out onto the road; this is why there are multiple warning signs of deer crossing around the western states of the United States. Muhammad Shahzaib's brother, Shahraiz Bajwa, explained that he and his brother were on their way back to school from Minnesota when the unfortunate collision occurred. No one knew that it would be only a matter of seconds that would change Muhammad Shahzaib's life in a way that it would affect his brain.          

     

Muhammad Shahzaid Bajwa at the University of Wisconsin-Superior (Karnowski)

       The United States of America has an agreement with foreign countries to provide the countries' local residents with temporary visas (work or student) to live on while fulfilling their needs or desires in the United States. It is a challenge for many foreigners to be given approved access into the country due to the high security that the United States place at its country's borders (Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Washington-Dulles International Airport, etcetera). This agreement for foreigners to reside in the United States for a certain period of time is only granted when the country and the individual foreigners settle a time frame for how long the individual will need to remain in the country in order to fulfill their plans. Knowing that Muhammad Shahzaid Bajwa is continuing treatment at a Minnesota hospital makes it difficult for him to continue his studies at the University of Wisconsin-Superior. 

      His parents recently flew over from Pakistan to aide their suffering son in the United States while realizing that his student visa will be expiring this month on the twenty-eighth. A spokeswoman at the hospital made the announcement that Bajwa's parents would fear the most: he would no longer be able to stay in the Minnesota hospital for further treatment and must return to his home country, even though his country does not have access to the high technology needed to continue his treatment (5). The harsh fact is that Bajwa will die if he returns to his country. His family currently has an attorney who has been fighting to keep Bajwa in the United States for further treatment so that his life will not be taken from him as soon as if he returned to his country (13). 

Muhammad Shahzaid Bajwa in a Minnesota Hospital in 2014 (Karnowski)

      From a Christian perspective, it would be pressed on the Minnesota hospital to allow him to continue his treatment regardless of his student visa expiring at the end of this month. Bajwa is in a condition that permits him from pleading his own case to remain in the United States on an extended visa term because of his situation. The Scripture repeatedly quotes Christ telling the world to help the needy in any situation, mentally or physically. Bajwa needs care in both areas since he is seriously injured from his car collision and brain damage; therefore, he probably still does not know how serious his physical state is mentally. I John 3:17 warns people to lend an extended hand to the needy because if they do not, they most likely will not be able to experience what it means to have the love of God in their life. 

      Bajwa's situation is very complicated to apply Biblically because of the law being the final say of what happens to a person in any situation. A person might expect the United States government to understand that they would be saving a life if they did not force Bajwa to return to his home country. Proverbs 14:31 can be interpreted in a way that speaks to an authoritative figure who is trying to force an action on a person in need who can simply not fulfill the action that is being requested of them, such as in Bajwa's case with the United States' law. Therefore, anyone who is involved in this case should have the wits to realize that there is a time when people like Bajwa needs to be extended grace and be allowed to remain in the country for medical reasons. 

Works Cited:

Holy Bible: English Standard Version. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2001. Print.

Karnowski, Steve. "Family: Keep Pakistani Patient in US Hospital." AbcNews. Associated 

      Press, 12 Feb. 2014. Web. 11 Feb. 2014.