A beloved Humboldt Park business owner is facing immediate deportation to Pakistan after living in the United States for decades.
Asif Amin Cheema, 63, has been in ICE custody since September.
Federal agents are now enforcing a “removal order” that dates back to the early 1990s, a move that has left his family and legal team stunned.
Despite the open order, Cheema has lived an open life in Chicago.
He operated his sub shop, maintained a valid work permit, and even attended a Green Card interview earlier this year.
“This removal order is from the early 90s and it has never been executed,” said immigration attorney William McLean.
“There’s never been any enforcement against him even though it has existed.”
For Cheema’s family, the last few months have been a “nightmare.”
His daughter, Rabia Amin, says the family relies on him for both emotional and financial support.
The situation has become a health crisis as well.
The family reports that Cheema has been moved between multiple detention centers and has missed doses of essential medication.
He was recently hospitalized while in custody.
“It’s mental torture,” Amin said.
“He was told he’s getting transferred… we still don’t know why.”
What’s Next?
Because the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) can enforce the order at any time, Cheema could be deported as early as this Thursday.
His legal team is filing last-minute appeals, but they admit they are running out of options to keep him in Chicago.
