Nadia Habib's Deportation Stayed by ICE Pending Final Decision
Undocumented Stony Brook University student Nadia Habib’s deportation was deferred Thursday morning to the delight of scores of family, friends and supporters who were rallying outside.
“We haven’t been given a real decision yet,” said Nadia after nearly spending nearly two and a half hours in the Javits Federal Building with her mother, Nazmin Habib, who was also to be deported, their lawyer, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents negotiating the terms of her temporary stay of deportation.
Just before entering the building, Nadia was nervous and unsure of her future. “At this point,” she said, “it would take a miracle.”
Afterwards, she said that the deferral was not the miracle she was looking for. “We still have a lot of waiting and hoping to do,” she said.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who was made aware of the Habibs’ case last week by Stony Brook University administrators, was pleased with the outcome as well.
“I am thrilled that Nadia will be celebrating her 20th birthday tomorrow at home with her family and will be continuing her studies in the only country she’s ever known,” she told Think via email.
Click through for the full story by Managing Editor Trevor Christian.
