American Dream Ends in Deportation

[peejay 327]

As usual...the whole truth in these stories is conveniently omitted to garner undeserved sympathy. Palestinians Sharif and Asmaa Kesbeh and their children entered the United States on tourist visas from Saudi Arabia in 1991. After illegally overstaying the visas, they applied for asylum. Their asylum applications were denied by a U.S. immigration judge. They appealed to the Board of Immigration Appeals and lost. They appealed to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, which rejected their claims twice . The Immigration and Naturalization Service ordered them deported in 1998. The Kesbehs got more than their fair share of due process. They lied when they told the US embassy they were tourists in order to get visas and then they tried to game the system again by falsely claiming to be asylees. Stuff like this makes it hard on everyone who wants to have foreign relatives to temporarily visit the USA.

An American dream collapsed

In Houston, they built a business and family. Deportation has left them struggling in a harsh land

By GREGORY KATZ

Middle East Bureau

AMMAN, JORDAN — For more than a decade, the Kesbehs lived in Houston without proper documents, relying on the family's business selling American flags and other banners to get by.

Like millions of others from around the world, the Palestinians were in the United States illegally. They paid taxes, sent their children to school and tried not to be noticed.

Then, as pressure mounted on Muslims after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, the Kesbehs were found out, two members of the family were detained, and the whole clan was deported. They were sent to Jordan, a country the seven children barely knew.

They live in a cramped, cold apartment in Amman, the capital, where they rely primarily on the income generated by Noor Kesbeh, the eldest daughter, who has found steady work at, of all places, the U.S. Embassy.

Enterprising American dreamers or lawbreakers? Hardworking folk who should be welcomed back, or opportunists? Either way, the Kesbehs are desperate to return to the United States if they can find a way to do so legally.

"We still believe in America, and our heart is with the American people," said Sharif Kesbeh, the family patriarch. "America is still the best country, for education, for business, for jobs. But being deported was very painful."

Theirs has been a terrible fall. The family business has collapsed, the children have lost their places in the Houston schools, and they are struggling to find their way in Jordan.

Unwanted scrutiny

In Alief, they seemed like just another quiet, law-abiding family struggling to get ahead.

But in March 2002, about six months after the 9/11 attacks, a chain of events led to their exile. First, matriarch Asmaa Kesbeh's parents, sister and niece were killed in Jordan when their car was struck by a truck. Following Muslim tradition, many friends came to the Kesbeh house during the next few weeks to grieve.

The gathering of hundreds of Muslims in one small dwelling prompted unwanted scrutiny. Someone apparently alerted the authorities, and investigators learned that the family had stayed in the United States despite receiving a deportation order in 1998 after their bid for political asylum failed.

There were no allegations of terrorist connections or criminal activity, but once officials learned of their visa status, the U.S. government swung into action.

A few weeks later, armed Immigration and Naturalization Service agents raided the Kesbehs' house before dawn. They were deported one year later despite the intervention of U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston, who introduced a bill that would have allowed them to remain in the United States.

The Kesbehs also received support from many residents who held candlelight vigils and signed petitions, and from several national figures, including Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass. But the deportation went forward after Lee's bill failed to reach the House floor.

"We feel destroyed," said Sharif Kesbeh, who sometimes seems overwhelmed by misfortune. "We are just counting the days to find a way we can get home to America. It's like somebody climbing a mountain, with difficulties, with seven kids, and before I reached the top somebody threw me down again to the bottom. All of these 58 years working hard ended with zero."

On the move

His family's tale mirrors the woes of the Palestinian people. He and his parents fled the small town where he was born inside what is now Israel when the Jewish state was formed in 1948. They settled near Jerusalem but were uprooted again when Israel seized the West Bank during the 1967 war, and the family ended up in Jordan.

Then the ambitious young man earned a master's degree in Egypt, got a job as a farm manager in Saudi Arabia and eventually started an import-export business there. It collapsed after the first Gulf War when borders in the region were sealed.

He soldiered on by getting a visa that enabled him to take his growing family to Houston and operate a wholesale flag business. The family launched a long, unsuccessful bid for political asylum that would have legalized their extended stay.

Thy are not likely to return to America unless Congress or the president takes up their case. As part of their deportation proceedings, they were required to sign documents agreeing to stay out of the United States for 10 years.

This applies to everyone except the youngest daughter, 14-year-old Afnan Kesbeh, who was born in Houston.

The Kesbehs see themselves as victims of the anti-Muslim fervor that swept the country after the 9/11 attacks.

"If it weren't for 9/11 we would probably still be in Houston," said Noor Kesbeh, at 24 the eldest child. "We thought they were going after terrorists, not people like us."

She said the family has felt vulnerable since coming to Jordan. "Houston is the only place we ever felt safe," she said. "We felt it was our home."

Basic living

The transition from a secure environment in suburban Houston to a rough-and-tumble Palestinian neighborhood in Amman has been harsh. Taxi drivers are reluctant to drive to their street, where streetlights are rare and fights are common.

Only Noor Kesbeh has managed to find a well-paying job.

After working in a jewelry shop in Houston, her excellent language skills landed her a position working as a switchboard operator at the U.S. Embassy in Jordan. Now she works at the embassy in purchasing.

The family's apartment is basic: they often shiver in winter because there is no central heating, the walls support a seemingly unstoppable fungus, and the five daughters are crammed into a single, small bedroom. Blackouts and water cuts are common.

They worry about their propane heater starting a fire because there is no safe way to escape. The windows are blocked by steel bars because of frequent robberies.

Longing for Houston

The family is clinging to American ways. The Kesbehs still speak mostly English, not Arabic, at home. The cable television is often tuned to American Idol and Oprah. The computer provides a vital Internet link to friends in Houston and a way to keep up with trends in American music, fashion and entertainment.

They celebrate Thanksgiving in Amman with a specially ordered turkey, stuffing, yams and homemade pumpkin pie. They long for the fun side of Houston and they miss the educational opportunities.

"The main thing is, I lost my education," said Sondos Kesbeh, 22, who was studying for her business law exams when they were deported.

"I'm wasting my life here. I miss my freedom. Here you can't just go out and jog because people will stare at you and harass you."

The five daughters are struggling to adjust to the reduced role that women play in traditional Jordanian society.

In Houston, they had a basketball hoop on their garage and were comfortable playing basketball with friends, including boys. In Jordan, they would be ostracized for doing something like that, Sondos Kesbeh said.

With their western clothes and casual use of English, they do not fit in easily in their conservative Palestinian neighborhood, where dating is frowned upon and arranged marriages are still the norm. Only Noor Kesbeh wears the traditional Muslim head scarf; the others draw stares by wearing their dark hair long and free.

"The girls get harassed because they look American and dress American and sound American," said Asmaa Kesbeh, their mother. "They are not used to the Arab world."

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metrop...an/4588269.html

[Fandango 1,440]

It's a sad story, but it was not their right to stay here. They are part of the reason that tourist visas aren't handed out so easily.

As much as my heart goes out to them...this situation is entirely their doing, and the 10 year ban should remain.

[Robor007 0]

I dunno how to feel about a case like this. While what they did is illegal these people seem like a good family that loves this country. I hope they are permitted to come back here legally.

[DeadPoolX 9]

I'm agreeing with Lisa. If people didn't abuse the system so much, it'd be easier for people who want to do things the right and legal way (like all of us).

[Robor007 0]

I'm agreeing with Lisa. If people didn't abuse the system so much, it'd be easier for people who want to do things the right and legal way (like all of us).

What chance do you think this family would have of immigrating to the US legally? I'm guessing the same as that snowball in he11.

[Fandango 1,440]

I'm agreeing with Lisa. If people didn't abuse the system so much, it'd be easier for people who want to do things the right and legal way (like all of us).

What chance do you think this family would have of immigrating to the US legally? I'm guessing the same as that snowball in he11.

But what right did they have to take what wasn't theirs?

Sh!t happens all over the world....do we take everyone? Because as much as I empathise with this family, the facts are that 1) they are guilty of visa fraud by not adhering to the tourist visa....which only solidifies the gov'ts already non-existent stand on issuing tourist visas to MENA...exponentially making it worse for legal visitors to come see their families and 2) they ignored a deportation order.

Sounds to me as much as they love America, they have no respect for our laws.

Citizenship cannot be based on 'hey want a better life?'

Cos if that's the case, perhaps bank robbers should start using this as an excuse for taking what wasn't theirs.

Edited February 28, 2007 by LisaD

[DeadPoolX 9]

I'm agreeing with Lisa. If people didn't abuse the system so much, it'd be easier for people who want to do things the right and legal way (like all of us).

What chance do you think this family would have of immigrating to the US legally? I'm guessing the same as that snowball in he11.

They certainly would've had a BETTER chance at immigrating legally BEFORE being here illegally. Now their chances are certainly diminished.

No one has the "right" to immigrate to the United States or any other country. It's a privilege, granted by that country's government. This family obviously felt that they had the "right" to be here and are now paying for that mistake.

I'm sorry if I sound cold or uncaring. It's just that when people make it more difficult for all of us, I have problems being sympathetic.

Edited February 28, 2007 by DeadPoolX

[Robor007 0]

But what right did they have to take what wasn't theirs?

Sh!t happens all over the world....do we take everyone? Because as much as I empathise with this family, the facts are that 1) they are guilty of visa fraud by not adhering to the tourist visa....which only solidifies the gov'ts already non-existent stand on issuing tourist visas to MENA...exponentially making it worse for legal visitors to come see their families and 2) they ignored a deportation order.

Sounds to me as much as they love America, they have no respect for our laws.

Citizenship cannot be based on 'hey want a better life?'

Cos if that's the case, perhaps bank robbers should start using this as an excuse for taking what wasn't theirs.

They had no right per say. They overstayed their tourist visa and applied for asylum and failed. However, given the fact that there's many illegals here that are a drain on the system, why deport a family that's productive, working, educated, and tax paying? If this was a family from Canada, the UK, Australia, etc do you think they would've been deported and slapped with a 10 year ban?

[Robor007 0]

They certainly would've had a BETTER chance at immigrating legally BEFORE being here illegally. Now their chances are certainly diminished.

No one has the "right" to immigrate to the United States or any other country. It's a privilege, granted by that country's government. This family obviously felt that they had the "right" to be here and are now paying for that mistake.

I'm sorry if I sound cold or uncaring. It's just that when people make it more difficult for all of us, I have problems being sympathetic.

Their chances were next to zero had they overstayed or not. I think the fact that they lived here and were (according to this article) a productive family gives them a better chance than if they had never visited and applied for US citizenship.

I didn't say they had the 'right' and I don't think they felt they had the right. If they did they would've tried the legal route rather than waiting until after they got caught.

[Fandango 1,440]

But what right did they have to take what wasn't theirs?

Sh!t happens all over the world....do we take everyone? Because as much as I empathise with this family, the facts are that 1) they are guilty of visa fraud by not adhering to the tourist visa....which only solidifies the gov'ts already non-existent stand on issuing tourist visas to MENA...exponentially making it worse for legal visitors to come see their families and 2) they ignored a deportation order.

Sounds to me as much as they love America, they have no respect for our laws.

Citizenship cannot be based on 'hey want a better life?'

Cos if that's the case, perhaps bank robbers should start using this as an excuse for taking what wasn't theirs.

They had no right per say. They overstayed their tourist visa and applied for asylum and failed. However, given the fact that there's many illegals here that are a drain on the system, why deport a family that's productive, working, educated, and tax paying? If this was a family from Canada, the UK, Australia, etc do you think they would've been deported and slapped with a 10 year ban?

You break the law, you suffer the consequences

it's not like 'hey you got a job! so let's just forget about that pesky old visa fraud and ignoring a direct order from the gov't! bygones!'

nope, sorry...and tbh, I don't care where anyone hails from. The laws are meant to be followed, and if you fail to do so, you need to be punished accordingly

I'm going house hunting the way these people immigrated. Just go take over someone's house & then ten years later say 'but I wanted a better life!'

[Saddle Bronc 124]

I'm agreeing with Lisa. If people didn't abuse the system so much, it'd be easier for people who want to do things the right and legal way (like all of us).

What chance do you think this family would have of immigrating to the US legally? I'm guessing the same as that snowball in he11.

Not necessarily. I was outright refused entry into US twice in 1988 and 1989, and delayed once (due to incorrect TN-1 offer letter) in 1995.

And, BTW, any foreigner (including those born in Canada or VWP countries) can be slapped with a LIFETIME ban.

Edited February 28, 2007 by CherryXS

[Robor007 0]

You break the law, you suffer the consequences

it's not like 'hey you got a job! so let's just forget about that pesky old visa fraud and ignoring a direct order from the gov't! bygones!'

nope, sorry...and tbh, I don't care where anyone hails from. The laws are meant to be followed, and if you fail to do so, you need to be punished accordingly

I'm going house hunting the way these people immigrated. Just go take over someone's house & then ten years later say 'but I wanted a better life!'

Damned near every person living here today is a decedent of someone who immigrated here for a better life. I realize that times are different now but maybe if it was easier to legally immigrate here families like this wouldn't have to try to skirt the system to live here?

I don't think overstaying a tourist visa can be compared to robbing a bank or stealing someones house. Apples and oranges...

[Marilyn. 340]

I'm agreeing with Lisa. If people didn't abuse the system so much, it'd be easier for people who want to do things the right and legal way (like all of us).

What chance do you think this family would have of immigrating to the US legally? I'm guessing the same as that snowball in he11.

Not necessarily. I was outright refused entry into US twice in 1988 and 1989, and delayed once (due to incorrect TN-1 offer letter) in 1995.

And, BTW, any foreigner (including those born in Canada or VWP countries) can be slapped with a LIFETIME ban.

I was slapped with a one year ban from the US.....

[Robor007 0]

I'm agreeing with Lisa. If people didn't abuse the system so much, it'd be easier for people who want to do things the right and legal way (like all of us).

What chance do you think this family would have of immigrating to the US legally? I'm guessing the same as that snowball in he11.

Not necessarily. I was outright refused entry into US twice in 1988 and 1989, and delayed once (due to incorrect TN-1 offer letter) in 1995.

And, BTW, any foreigner (including those born in Canada or VWP countries) can be slapped with a LIFETIME ban.

Yes but this is post 9/11/03 and these people are Palistinien.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

I'm agreeing with Lisa. If people didn't abuse the system so much, it'd be easier for people who want to do things the right and legal way (like all of us).

What chance do you think this family would have of immigrating to the US legally? I'm guessing the same as that snowball in he11.

Not necessarily. I was outright refused entry into US twice in 1988 and 1989, and delayed once (due to incorrect TN-1 offer letter) in 1995.

And, BTW, any foreigner (including those born in Canada or VWP countries) can be slapped with a LIFETIME ban.

Yes but this is post 9/11/03 and these people are Palistinien.

You mean "9/11/01", I presume.

BTW, the lifetime ban possibility existed even in 1999 (I remember posting on the Grasmick Forum many times that year advising Canadians NOT to try working illegally in US).

It is also notable that young-to-middle-aged South Asians (such as myself) can easily be mistaken for Iranians or Arabs.

Edited February 28, 2007 by CherryXS