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KPNX-12, AZ
Feb 19 2008
Family deported, 13-year-old left behind
Kevin Kennedy
12 News
Feb. 19, 2008 08:12 PM
Valley family being deported after 15 years in U.S.
It was still dark outside when the Avakian clan pulled up to the
immigration office in downtown Phoenix Tuesday morning.
The family was being deported after living here in the United States
the past 15 years, "It's heartbreaking, everyone was crying," said
Avelina Weishaous. The family entered the country without
authorization back in 1993. advertisement
They immediately applied for political asylum but were denied. In the
15 years since they lost every appeal, filed motions with the Board
of Immigration Appeals and asked the courts to intervene. Every time
they were denied.
The family is not angry and does not blame anyone or any agency,
calling it an unfortunate situation, "It's not the governments fault,
but we tried our best to help make the government change it's mind,"
said Rosaleena Avakian.
The 13-year-old was the only family member not deported. Rosaleena is
a U.S. citizen because she was born here after her family fled
Armenia.
The U.S. government will not pay for her plane ticket because she,
unlike her parents and siblings is authorized to be here, "It's a sad
situation for the family, but the bottom line is they do not have
proper authority to be in the country," said Vincent Picard with
Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Rosaleena will stay with friends
during the week and family on the weekends until she can afford to
fly back to Armenia with her family.
Relatives here in Arizona plan to open an account to help pay for the
ticket. They hope to raise enough money to buy a ticket within the
next couple of months.
Feb 19 2008
Family deported, 13-year-old left behind
Kevin Kennedy
12 News
Feb. 19, 2008 08:12 PM
Valley family being deported after 15 years in U.S.
It was still dark outside when the Avakian clan pulled up to the
immigration office in downtown Phoenix Tuesday morning.
The family was being deported after living here in the United States
the past 15 years, "It's heartbreaking, everyone was crying," said
Avelina Weishaous. The family entered the country without
authorization back in 1993. advertisement
They immediately applied for political asylum but were denied. In the
15 years since they lost every appeal, filed motions with the Board
of Immigration Appeals and asked the courts to intervene. Every time
they were denied.
The family is not angry and does not blame anyone or any agency,
calling it an unfortunate situation, "It's not the governments fault,
but we tried our best to help make the government change it's mind,"
said Rosaleena Avakian.
The 13-year-old was the only family member not deported. Rosaleena is
a U.S. citizen because she was born here after her family fled
Armenia.
The U.S. government will not pay for her plane ticket because she,
unlike her parents and siblings is authorized to be here, "It's a sad
situation for the family, but the bottom line is they do not have
proper authority to be in the country," said Vincent Picard with
Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Rosaleena will stay with friends
during the week and family on the weekends until she can afford to
fly back to Armenia with her family.
Relatives here in Arizona plan to open an account to help pay for the
ticket. They hope to raise enough money to buy a ticket within the
next couple of months.