The 7 Investigators are going behind the headlines to take a closer look at the highly-charged immigration debate. Immigration authorities arrested 114 Iraqi nationals in metro Detroit in June.
Some of them have convictions for murders and sexual assault. Others were convicted of less serious crimes, but are still facing deportation. Local families are sharing their stories with Action News:
“Saad Nalu entered the United States legally when he was fifteen years old and attended high school in Farmington Hills, Michigan.
He has lived in the United States for over forty-five years.
More than twenty-five years ago, Saad committed non-violent drug related offenses, which prevented him from seeking permanent citizenship.
He complied with the courts and completed his sentence with no further incidences in the twenty-five years since.
He has checked in with immigration regularly, has a valid work visa, and has been a contributing member to the community. Saad has been married to a United States citizen for eighteen years and has two stepchildren.
His stepson works as an Educational Media Designer at the University of Hawaii’s School of Medicine. His stepdaughter has worked with at-risk children as an early childhood educator and continues to work as a preschool assistant director in Ann Arbor.
Saad and his wife own their own business and contribute positively to the community. He has been involved with many charitable organizations, including Forgotten Man Ministries, a Christian organization that ministers to and supports incarcerated men and women in many counties throughout Michigan. Because of Saad’s Christian faith, he will be at-risk of being killed if sent to Iraq.
Saad’s brother was a former Iraqi Four-Star General and was the first Iraqi General to defect to the United States. He was granted political asylum, with approval by the Secretary of State and served with the U.S. Army in Iraq for nine years as a Senior Military Advisor.
Saad is feared to be at a higher risk of being targeted because of his brother’s ties to the military.
Saad is a hardworking, family-oriented man that has many positive ties to the community through his family, friends, business, and church; and who’s life will be at great risk if sent to Iraq.”
–Nalu Family
