Key Takeaways:
- Asif Amin Cheema, a 63-year-old sub shop owner, is set to be deported to Pakistan on Thursday evening despite his family’s efforts to keep him in the country.
- Cheema has been in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody since September and has been transferred to multiple detention centers, causing concern for his health and well-being.
- His family and attorney claim that he has no criminal record and has been a law-abiding citizen, with a valid work permit and a green card interview earlier in the year.
- The family has filed a lawsuit against the federal government, including ICE agents, and is seeking an emergency temporary restraining order to keep Cheema in the country.
- The Department of Homeland Security has stated that Cheema is an illegal alien with a final order of removal, but the family disputes this, citing his long history of living and working in the United States.
Introduction to the Story
The family of Asif Amin Cheema, a 63-year-old sub shop owner, is racing against time to prevent his deportation to Pakistan. Despite their efforts, Cheema is set to leave from Chicago O’Hare International Airport on Thursday evening, leaving behind his family and the life he has built in the United States. His family is devastated by the thought of being separated from their loved one, and they are scrambling to find a last-minute solution to keep him in the country. As Cheema’s daughter, Rabia Amin, said, "No family should have to stand at a podium like this just to make sure their loved one has access to medication, legal counsel and basic dignity."
The Background of the Case
Cheema’s family says that he has been in ICE custody since September, after agents carried out an order of removal that had been open for decades. The removal order was issued in the early 1990s, but it had never been enforced until now. Cheema’s attorney, William McLean, notes that the removal order is outdated and should not be enforced, given Cheema’s long history of living and working in the United States. Cheema’s family has been fighting to get him out of custody, but so far, their efforts have been unsuccessful. As Rabia said, "It still confuses us to this day, because my dad had a valid work permit for years. He wasn’t scamming anything. He wasn’t scamming the system. He had a green card interview earlier this year, so that is why we are so puzzled as to how this removal can still exist."
The Family’s Concerns
Cheema’s family is worried about his health and well-being, as he has been transferred to multiple detention centers and has been hospitalized without medication for days at a time. His daughters, Rabia and Hamna, say that it’s been a nightmare trying to care for their father from afar, and they are concerned about the impact that his deportation will have on their family. As Rabia said, "It’s mental torture, and it’s physically exhausting. I mean, just last night, he was told he’s getting transferred out of Indiana. He was brought to Broadview, and now, he’s back in Indiana, and we still don’t know why." The family is also concerned about the fact that Cheema will be hours away from any help or family if he is deported to Pakistan.
The Community’s Support
The community has rallied around Cheema’s family, with customers and friends showing their support for the beloved sub shop owner. Cheema’s daughters say that their father has always been a hard worker and a devoted family man, and they are grateful for the outpouring of support. As Hamna said, "His entire life has revolved around making sure his children were safe, supported and loved. He taught us to value hard work, integrity, and faith to us. He is not just a case number or a file. He is our home." The family’s attorney, McLean, has filed a lawsuit against the federal government, including ICE agents, and is seeking an emergency temporary restraining order to keep Cheema in the country.
The Government’s Response
The Department of Homeland Security has issued a statement saying that Cheema is an illegal alien with a final order of removal, and that he has been in custody since September. The statement also notes that Cheema received medical attention and was medically cleared after claiming chest pains at the airport. However, the family disputes this, citing Cheema’s long history of living and working in the United States and his lack of a criminal record. As McLean said, "We are about exhausted, and I mean that in a lament term and a legal term." The family is hoping that someone will intervene and stop Cheema’s deportation, allowing him to return home to his family and continue to build a life in the United States.
Conclusion
The story of Asif Amin Cheema is a heartbreaking one, highlighting the complexities and challenges of the US immigration system. Cheema’s family is fighting to keep him in the country, citing his long history of living and working in the United States and his lack of a criminal record. The community has rallied around the family, showing their support for the beloved sub shop owner. As the family waits to see what will happen next, they are holding on to hope that someone will intervene and stop Cheema’s deportation, allowing him to return home to his family and continue to build a life in the United States.