Thousands raised in days for vet stranded by President Trump's travel ban

Campaigners have raised nearly £10,000 for a Scots/Iranian temporarily stranded in the US after President Trump’s draconian bar on people leaving and entering the country.

As part of the restirctions Hamaseh Tayari was told she could not fly from Costa Rica via New York as she travels on an Iranian passport.

She became stranded as she didn’t have enough money to pay for alternative travel arrangements.

A crowdfunding appeal, launched by Women for Independence on Saturday evening, has now raised enough to enable Tayari to travel back to her home town of Glasgow.

She will donate surplus cash to the Scottish Refugee Council.

On Sunday morning Dr Tayari posted a picture on Facebook from Costa Rica airport in front of a sign which said "avoid being punished".

Tayari grew up and studied in Italy, qualifying as a vet in 2012.

She was awarded a PhD by the University of Pisa after a short period of extra training in Switzerland and moved to Glasgow to continue her studies in November 2015.

She said: "I still have Iranian nationality, because I've never thought about changing it.

"I've never had any problems until now, maybe I've had to wait a bit longer for visas, but nothing like this has happened to me."

Professor Anton Muscatelli, principal of the University of Glasgow, said: "I have spoken with Dr Hamaseh Tayari and she has been overwhelmed by the messages of support she has had on social media and will be travelling back to Scotland, via Spain, in the next 24 hours.

"The university has made clear that we will do all we can to help Hamaseh. We look forward to welcoming her back on campus.

"The university would also like to acknowledge and to thank the many people who have been in touch and who pledged and provided support on social media.

"We provide advice and guidance to staff and students if they find themselves in difficulties when overseas, and we will be reviewing this in the light of this weekend's events."