Adi to Be Deported; ICE Denies Stay of Removal

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Amer Adi Othman, known locally as Al Adi, is again on track to be deported from the United States back to his native Jordan, a spokesman for the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service said in an email this afternoon.

Adi is the owner of the Downtown Circle Convenience & Deli.

Following a comprehensive review of Adi’s case, including “careful consideration” of the request by the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee chairman, ICE chose not to grant a stay of removal, ICE spokesman Khaalid Walls said.

Over the past decade, Adi’s immigration case has undergone “exhaustive judicial review at multiple levels of the nation’s courts, including before the immigration courts, federal appeals courts and U.S. district court,” and in each case have found that Adi lacked a “legal basis” to remain in the United States.

Ryan, who remains in touch with Adi through his attorney, “intends to exhaust every avenue available,” according to the statement.

“While ICE acknowledges Congress’s authority to pass legislation providing immigration benefits to non-citizens, alien beneficiaries need not be present in the United States for a private immigration relief bill to be introduced, considered, and/or enacted,” Walls said in the email. “An alien who is granted relief through the enactment of a private immigration bill can lawfully travel back to the United States.”

The office of U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-13 Ohio, who has worked to assist Adi for several years, issued a statement expressing his “disappointment in ICE’s decision not to grant the stay.”

Fidea Musleh, Adi’s wife, said the family will release a statement after visiting him later today at Northeast Ohio Correctional Center, where he has been in custody since Friday.

Adi will remain in ICE custody pending his removal from the country. Due to operational security concerns, ICE doesn’t confirm specific removal arrangements prior to an individual’s separation.

“As ICE Deputy Director Thomas Homan has made clear, ICE does not exempt classes or categories of removable aliens from potential enforcement,” Walls’ email said. “All of those in violation of the immigration laws may be subject to immigration arrest, detention and, if found removable by final order, removal from the United States.”

ICE also reported that Adi accepted a meal yesterday during the lunch period and was removed from hunger strike protocols. He is still being monitored closely by medical professionals at the prison.

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