Meng Secures Entry to the U.S. for Father of Pregnant Woman Killed by Falling Tree in Flushing, Queens

U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) announced this morning that she has secured entry to the United States for the father of the pregnant woman who was killed by a falling tree in Flushing.

Zhong Liang Li arrived at Kennedy Airport from China late last night so that he could help arrange and attend his daughter’s funeral.

His 30-year-old daughter and expectant mother, Yingyi Li-Dikov, was fatally struck by a large oak tree Sunday evening as she sat on a bench in Kissena Park. Her father had an American visa but it was due to expire today, making it uncertain if he would be allowed to enter the country.

On Monday afternoon, Meng reached out to U.S. Customs and Border Protection requesting that the father be granted permission to enter the U.S. after he landed in New York. She also sent the father a letter on her official stationary to present to custom officers that explained his emergency situation.

He was met at the airport by his daughter’s husband Alexsander Dikov, a National Guardsman, and representatives from the military.

“There are no words we can say to ease the pain that Yingyi’s father and husband are feeling right now,” said Meng. “We will continue to keep them in our thoughts and prayers, and we stand ready to further assist them in any way we can.”

Meng intervened in the case on Monday when Dikov’s station commander and other military personnel visited her office in Queens to seek her assistance with the father’s entry.

In addition to helping the father, Meng secured visas for Yingyi’s uncle and a family friend. The Congresswoman had contacted the American Consulate in Shanghai on their behalf, and was notified this morning that their visa applications were approved. The two plan to travel to New York in the next day or two.

Li-Dikov was six months pregnant and immigrated to the U.S. from China. Funeral arrangements have not yet been finalized.

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