BATON ROUGE - The Ekhiyari family was all under one roof Wednesday night — something that has been impossible since the Taliban took over Afghanistan in 2021 and the household was split while fleeing the country. 

Bostan Ekhiyari had served in the Afghan National Police Force prior to the Taliban's return to power. His safety — and that of his family — was at risk under the new regime.

Their home was destroyed, and the family went into hiding.

Latifa Ekhiyari made it to America, but her husband, sons Mohammad and Abdussalam, and sister Shahr were stuck. 

After her escape, Latifa learned she was pregnant with the couple's third child and gave birth to a baby girl in the United States. 

On Wednesday, the family reunited in Baton Rouge and Bostan was able to see his now one-year-old daughter for the first time. 

Family members thanked U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy for helping to orchestrate the reunion.

Along with Cassidy’s staff, Bostan and his family were welcomed by Roxson Welch, Executive Director for the Family and Youth Center.

“I’m thrilled for this family and for the people who have come to know this family,” Welch said. “A lot of people have helped make this homecoming happen. Home is where the heart is, and their hearts are now here – this is their homeland.”