Fearing deportation, Iraqi refugees cut tethers (GPS Ankle monitors)
Detroit — A growing number of Iraqi refugees are attempting to "save their own lives" by cutting off their tethers to evade immigration authorities' deportation attempts before their court cases are heard, families and lawyers say.
At least seven Iraqi nationals have removed their tethers in Michigan in the last month, according to a lawyer representing 23 refugees.
One of them, Ali Al-Sadoon, ditched his tether in July in Detroit on the day he was supposed to be deported. The 33-year-old refugee from Redford Township now faces criminal charges for removing the ankle GPS tracker in addition to removal orders for breaking and entering, for which he was sentenced in 2013.
“The only reason Ali cut his tether was because he was scared ... they sentenced him to death.”
But his case is expected to head to a trial he might not have otherwise received.
"The only reason Ali cut his tether was because he was scared ..." said his wife, Belqis Florido. "They sentenced him to death."
Last week, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials also arrested Wisam Hamana, 39, of Hazel Park and Baha Al-Said, 35, of Ann Arbor after both cut their tethers. Another Iraqi national, Oliver Awshana, 31, was deported from Calhoun County Correctional facility and made such a scene while transferring flights in Chicago that the pilot refused to fly him, his lawyers s
https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2019/08/07/they-sentenced-him-death-iraqi-refugees-fearing-deportation-cut-tethers-protest/1900756001/