JUNE 2018

One year’s time
BY ASHOURINA SLEWO
It’s baffling how much can happen
in one year.
One year ago, when I encouraged
my father to seek the
help of an immigration attorney, I
had no idea that exactly one week
later he would be one of hundreds
caught in raids by Immigration and
Customs Enforcement (ICE). But
he was.
This is not my first column
about the deportation crisis and it
probably won’t be the last.
On June 11, 2017, I stood in my
father’s doorway, facing at least four
ICE agents. I feigned confidence
in an attempt to show them I was
not scared. I knew, though, that no
amount of confidence or knowledge
of my rights would stop them from
leaving that apartment with my father
in tow.
Our community has been exceedingly
fortunate to have had an organization
like the American Civil Liberties
Union (ACLU) – who worked
with the Chaldean Community
Foundation – standing in the face of
the government and defending us.
The ACLU, and the countless others
that didn’t receive even half the
recognition they deserved, came out
to help us when no one else would.
They bought us more time than
anyone could have imagined. Time
that would allow our loved ones the
opportunity to stay in this country.
For several months after ICE
picked my dad up, I was on auto pilot.
All I could think about was the
next step. What could I do next?
What would bring me one step
closer to seeing my father again? I
would not have been able to do any
of the things I did had it not been
for the ACLU and their massive
network of people eager to help.
The ACLU and their co-counsel
fought the government and
won. How many people can say
that? They bought us time, they
provided us with the resources we
so desperately needed, and they
brought a majority of families back
together.
In one year’s time, I lost my father
to immigration so the president
could earn political brownie
points among his equally delusional
followers, I fought for his life, and
have succeeded in bringing him
back home.
Most importantly, though, a
whole new world has opened up for
me. A world within my own community.
In this world, I have found individuals
that stepped up for hundreds
of families, not for the notoriety,
but for the love of the community.
Individuals that consistently fight
back as the government tries to
carry out the unethical act of deporting
hundreds of people. They
have nothing to gain from this
fight. Their fathers, brothers, and
uncles are safe and at home. Nevertheless,
they fight for us.
In addition to the truly amazing
people that have come out to
support the Chaldean community,
another silver lining in all this, is
our community now knows who
has our best interest in mind. And
if you think that person is Trump or
any member of his administration,
you must have been asleep for the
last year.
In one year’s time, I have had
to fight against the government I
was raised to believe cared for its
people and won, for the most part.
On the other hand, though, I have
had the privilege of watching our
community come together in a way
I never thought possible.
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JUNE 2018 CHALDEAN NEWS 11