Mother, Son From Ukraine Reunited In Queens
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A 4-year-old Ukrainian boy has been reunited with his mother in the United States after several months.
Mykhailo Kuzmin was able to join his mother and stepfather in Whitestone, Queens thanks to U.S. Rep. Steve Israel, who requested expedited processing of a residency petition in light of the continued instability in Ukraine.
"He has a green card, so he can stay for as long as he wants," Israel told 1010 WINS' Mona Rivera.
The little boy's mother, Natalia Kuzmina, married a U.S. citizen, but couldn't get her son out of Ukraine amid violence and unrest.
Mykhailo stayed with his grandfather in the Vinnytsia region of Ukraine, but his family feared for his safety.
"I was so afraid. I wasn't sure that he was in a safe place," Kuzmina said.
The two had been separated for four months. Israel's request allowed Kuzmina to cut through red tape and get Mykhailo to the U.S. faster.
After not seeing his mom for months, Mykhailo wouldn't let his mom go.
"He's just happy and he's just enjoying to have me. He doesn't want me to go anywhere without him. He just wants me to be near him and for us to be together," Kuzmina said.
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