Ann Arbor[Michigan] gay man at risk if deported to home country Iran

Dan82 · May 20, 2010

http://www.detnews.com/article/2010...-man-at-risk-if-deported-to-home-country-Iran

Mohammad Abdollahi was putting his life on the line when he lobbied for immigration reform in Arizona this week, experts say.

The undocumented Ann Arbor resident, along with three other students, was arrested Monday and later detained by immigration officials in Arizona when he refused to leave Sen. John McCain's office. The incidents spawned a response across the country, including two vigils, a protest and hunger strike among some Michigan students.

Though the four have been released, they now face deportation hearings in immigration courts in their home states, officials said Wednesday.

But what makes Abdollahi's case unique is he is gay, and deportation for him could mean death in his native country of Iran.

"His safety and well-being would be in immediate jeopardy if he is returned to Iran," said Steve Ralls, spokesman for Immigration Equality, a New York-based legal aid organization for gay immigrants. "It is a notorious homophobic country where lesbians and gays routinely face torture, violence and even execution. It is among the most dangerous countries on the globe for lesbian and gay people."

But Abdollahi could seek asylum because of the violence in Iran, Ralls added. A policy in place since the mid-1990s requires that asylum seekers file paperwork within a year of their arrival in the U.S.

From The Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/article/2010...f-deported-to-home-country-Iran#ixzz0oW9SEI9t
Click to expand...

dude99 · May 21, 2010

It would be disgusting if he is deported back to his own country.

Revan · May 21, 2010

I pray he gets to stay....

Ann Arbor[Michigan] gay man at risk if deported to home country Iran

Dan82
Full Member

dude99 Guest

Revan
Full Member

Ann Arbor[Michigan] gay man at risk if deported to home country Iran

Thread Tools

Dan82 Full Member

dude99 Guest

Revan Full Member

Dan82
Full Member

Revan
Full Member