A Youngstown businessman who had planned to leave the country voluntarily two weeks ago was jailed at his meeting with immigration officials Tuesday.
Amer Adi Othman, 57, had faced deportation earlier this month after 40 years in the U.S. because of allegations his first marriage was a sham. He denies that, and U.S Rep. Tim Ryan (D- Howland) had sponsored a bill to allow him to remain.
But Adi’s attorney, David Leopold, said Adi still was preparing to leave on his own until U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials stayed his deportation earlier this month and promised to re-review his case. Leopold said there was no warning that this decision had changed until ICE officials locked him up following what was to have been a routine check-in meeting in Cleveland. Leopold said this will cause other undocumented immigrants to hestitate before attending their scheduled check-ins.
“How many other immigrants who are going in tomorrow or the day after for their call-ins and if they’re told we’re just going to look at your case, and then they get double crossed and locked up?" Leopold said. "Why would anyone voluntarily go to an ICE call-in?"
ICE did not return a call for comment, but has said in a statement that Adi’s case got a thorough review.