What’s next for Ibrahim Parlak?
The Kurdish immigrant has fought deportation to his native Turkey for two decades, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security last week allowed a judge’s ruling that keeps him in the U.S. to stand.
Speaking with his attorneys at a press conference Wednesday, Parlak said his ultimate goal is citizenship. He told us while this fight with Homeland Security has continued for the past two decades, it’s been difficult to do things like open bank accounts, get credit cards, or make decisions for his business, Cafe Gulistan in Harbert.
“I definitely cannot travel outside of the country,” Parlak said. “If I want to travel outside of the state of Michigan for more than 48 hours, I have to notify DHS. Every time when I go through the airport, I have to be strip searched.”
Parlak Attorney Robert Carpenter tells us last week’s news was a final grant of Convention Against Torture relief, meaning the government has admitted Parlak would be tortured if sent back to Turkey. However, the underlying case against him has not been resolved.
“Having found finally that he was tortured, I think, changes the entire complexion of the situation,” Carpenter said. “So perhaps the government within its guidance would see fit to reopen the underlying case so that he can seek permanent residence. We have not addressed that yet. It might be something we address in the future.”
On hand for the Wednesday press conference was Lee Belding, a representative of Congressman Tim Walberg. He told us Walberg sent a letter to Homeland Security to lean on the agency, and his office includes many staffers who once served longtime Parlak ally, Congressman Fred Upton.
“So that has been helpful as we work through that and deal with the departments and continue to push for him and his immigration status,” Belding said. “We continue to work with all of the department’s officials that we need to push to do so.”
While Parlak supporters now hope to see his case reopened, Parlak tells us his dream is to stay secure in the place that’s been his home since the 1990s. He calls the United States his country, adding everything he has is here.
“It’s not just about receiving a passport or a piece of paper with the stamp that says ‘You are the citizen of this state.’ That’s how I feel right off the beginning anyway. That’s the most important thing for me.”
Parlak hopes to one day be able to travel to visit family in Europe, and maybe even vote in his local elections. He said last week’s news was like 100 pounds being lifted off his shoulders, and he thanked supporters that have included Fred Upton, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, and late Senator Carl Levin.
The government granted Parlak asylum from Turkey in the early 1990s, but in post-9/11 security sweeps, he was taken into custody by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. He’s been fighting ever since.
