ImmigrationUndocumented university student fights to stay in U.S.
As federal immigration officials implement President Obama’s latest immigration guidelines, many undocumented immigrants face an uncertain future with authorities still reviewing existing procedures; an undocumented junior at New York’s Stony Brook University is fighting to stay in the United States following notice by immigration authorities that she and her mother will be sent back to Bangladesh
As federal immigration officials implement President Obama’s latest immigration guidelines, many undocumented immigrants face an uncertain future with authorities still reviewing existing procedures.
For instance, an undocumented junior at New York’s Stony Brook University is fighting to stay in the United States following notice by immigration authorities that she and her mother will be sent back to Bangladesh by 29 September.
Nadia Habib, a nineteen year-old psychology major, came to the United States as a baby with her mother and did not learn that she was an undocumented immigrant until she was in high school.
“It just hit me out of nowhere. My mom gave me a phone call,” Habib said. “I came here as a baby. It’s not like I’m a criminal, I haven’t broken any laws.”
With the news of her impending deportation, Habib’s family would be separated as her father and three younger brothers, which were born in the United States, are legal residents and therefore can remain in the country.
Representative Tim Bishop (D – New York) has intervened on Habib’s behalf and is hoping that immigration officials will allow her to remain in the United States.
Jon Schneider, a spokesman Representative Bishop, said Habib now has an appointment with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials on Thursday, 29 September.
Last month, President Obama ordered ICE to curb deportations of students that would be eligible to remain in the country under the provisions of the DREAM ACT, a proposed law that would allow undocumented immigrants to remain in the United States if they came to the country as minors, graduated from high school, and enlist in the military or complete two years of higher education.
“It’s certainly our hope that ICE will follow their own policy with respect to Miss Habib,” Schneider said.
According to a senior DHS official, the new policy has yet to take hold and Habib’s case remains uncertain.
“Because the working group is in the midst of designing the process for reviewing cases, no individual cases have been administratively closed or otherwise affected by the policy,” said the official. “While the working group undertakes its efforts, immigration law will continue to be enforced as it was before the announcement.”
