Brandon Saad's father, a Syrian immigrant, supports Trump's immigration ban
February 3, 2017 12:00 AM
Nate Guidry/Post-Gazette
Former Chicago Blackhawks player and Pittsburgh native Brandon Saad carries the Stanley Cup into a hanger at the 911th Airlift Wing in Coraopolis in 2015. Brandon's father, George, immigrated to the United States from Syria at age 18.
By Jason Mackey / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
President Donald Trump’s efforts to halt all visitors from Syria and six other Muslim-majority countries elicit a passionate response inside the Pine home of George Saad, a Syrian immigrant.
Just not in the way you might think.
Mr. Saad, who left home at 18 to study engineering at Pitt, is now the 55-year-old father of Columbus Blue Jackets star Brandon Saad and supports Mr. Trump’s recent executive order.
“I guess you can tell that I voted for Trump,” Mr. Saad said with a laugh. “But I can’t say I disagree with him.”
George Saad and several of his relatives will be on hand at PPG Paints Arena tonight to
watch his son play the Penguins. Together, George and Brandon Saad have helped dozens of family members flee their war-torn homeland to live in the United States. Achieving the American dream the way dad did remains a sacred thing for the Saads.
“The opportunities available here are not available anywhere else on the planet,” said George, who owns Richland Properties Inc., a Richland-based development firm.
“I’m glad they’re upping the immigration laws. There’s a legal way to enter the United States; you have to follow the right channels. We’re a country built on laws. Let’s follow the laws.”
The Saads are also a family of hockey fans, even if Friday they might not necessarily be cheering for the Penguins.
Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr served as Brandon’s role models as he charted a path to the NHL, which has already included a 31-goal season and a pair of Stanley Cups.
full article:
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/...p-muslim-ban-immigration/stories/201702030127