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New hope for Kurdish immigrant Ibrahim
Parlak
23.1.2007 |
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January 23, 2007
Credit must be given to U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St.
Joseph, and his colleague in the Senate, Democrat
Carl Levin, for their persistence in once again
seeking to obtain permanent U.S. residency for
Ibrahim Parlak through two separate bills in
Congress.
The story is a familiar one to nearly everyone in
Michiana. Parlak, a Kurdish immigrant who has been
living in southwest Michigan, has been seeking
permanent U.S. residency for more than 14 years.
The Department of Homeland Security has portrayed
Parlak as a terrorist and tried to deport him. He
was accused of failing to disclose in his residency
application that he had been arrested in Turkey for
participation in separatist activities. Parlak
always maintained that no deception was intended and
that he was innocent of the offense for which he was
punished in his homeland of Turkey.
There is convincing evidence that supports Parlak's
claims. Friends and family have remained staunch in
their backing of Parlak, who was granted asylum by
the federal government in 1992.
Levin has called Parlak a good citizen who should be
allowed to remain in the United States and continue
living the honorable life that he has built for
himself and his family. Upton said he wants to grant
Parlak the peace of mind of permanent residency.
Let us hope that, with a new Congress, there will be
a well-deserved outcome for Ibrahim Parlak and his
family.
southbendtribune com
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