Representatives Upton and Schakowsky release statement on Ibrahim Parlak news
Ibraham Parlak's application for deferral of removal under the Convention Against Torture has been granted.
Parlak's story had been in the national eye for many years as he fought deportation back to Turkey.
He had been seeking asylum in America since 1990 after being tortured and jailed in Turkey for fighting for Kurdish people's rights.
Allegations surfaced when he applied for U.S citizenship in 1999, that said he had allegedly been part of Kurdistan's Workers' Part, PKK, considered to be a terror group.
The result of those allegations led Parlak to fight his deportation for many years.
In 2016, US Representative Fred Upton, R-Michigan, introduced private legislation that sought to give Parlak permanent resident status.
On July 17, 2018, Upton and US Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Illinois, issued a statement on Parlak finally gaining permanent residency in the US.
Upton said, "Justice has prevailed." He added, "This has been a full team effort for more than a decade. We've always supported Ibrahim because we know who he truly is: A fantastic father, local business owner, and friend to many families here in Southwest Michigan. Truly, a model immigrant. Ibrahim, his family, friends, and supporters can begin to rest easy as we're hopefully truning the page on this chapter for good and finally done wasting taxpayer dollars. We stand ready to assist in anyway needed moving forward."
"Ibrahim Parlak is a beloved member of the southwest Michigan community," said Schakowsky. She adds, "For decades, this good man has welcomed guests to his popular restaurant, hired many local people, raised a wonderful daughter, and been surrounded by loving friends, For the same period, Mr. Parlak has been living under the threat of deportation to a country in which he was once the victim of torture qand where he would have been killed if forced to return. Today, a Judge ruled that Ibrahim Parlak will not be deported. All the people who have worked for years to support him are celebrating this decision and Ibrahim is rejoining in the America that has been his home for so long. I join with my colleague Fred Upton in continuing to offer a hand of friendship to Ibrahim and his family."
For a timeline of events click here.
