A 63 year old Pakistani man deported from the United States on January 1, ending a 30-year life in Chicago despite last minute legal efforts by his family.
Asif Ameen Cheema, a longtime business owner and father of five, was put on a flight to Pakistan after a federal court rejected a request to stop his removal, according to his family.
Cheema, a Pakistani in Chicago for more than three decades, was deported late Thursday night from Illinois. His family says the deportation happened even as a lawsuit claimed authorities failed to provide him with prescribed medication during detention.
Deported Chicago Man After Legal Bid Failed
Cheema, often described as a Chicago man rooted in the Humboldt Park area, owned a restaurant “Best Sub #2” on North Avenue. He was detained by federal agents in Addison on September 17 while trying to update his immigration status and prepare for a green card interview.
A temporary halt to his deportation was granted in December by the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. That pause was lifted earlier this week, allowing ICE to proceed even though his main appeal is still pending. He was later taken from the Broadview ICE facility and deported from the USA around 7 p.m. on January 1st.
The deportation of Asif Ameen Cheema has sparked debate over how deported individuals with long U.S. ties are treated. For many in the general public, the case highlights the human cost behind immigration enforcement and deportation decisions.
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