Indonesian immigrants seeking asylum facing deportation

<p>Four Indonesian men who escaped to New Jersey to avoid religious persecution and potential death have been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents for deportation.</p>

News 12 Staff

May 19, 2017, 2:38 AM

Updated 2,538 days ago

Share:

Indonesian immigrants seeking asylum facing deportation
Four Indonesian men who escaped to New Jersey to avoid religious persecution and potential death have been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents for deportation.
Pastor Seth Kaper-Dale, who provided the men sanctuary for a time until they were cleared to stay in the United States, is again trying to win their freedom.
The four men are ethnic Chinese Christians who escaped in the 1990s after they were persecuted in Indonesia. They stayed with Kaper-Dale and the Reformed Church of Highland Park in 2012.
ICE officials say that the four men waited too long to file for official asylum so they are now technically in the country illegally.
"Aliens who illegally enter the United States and those who overstay or otherwise violate the terms of their visas have violated our nation's laws and can pose a threat to national security and public safety,” a spokesperson for ICE says in a statement.
The men met with ICE representatives Monday morning expecting to be granted another “stay of removal.” They were detained instead and are being prepped for deportation.
Immigration attorney Asma Warsi says that she has been busy with clients ever since the Trump administration started greater enforcement of immigration laws. Warsi says that there are some ways that those facing deportation can be saved.
“If they have U.S. citizen children or U.S. citizen spouses, what they can file for a stay of removal,” she says. “In essence it’s a plea for mercy.”
Kaper-Dale blames the president for the issues.
“Bottom line – These are people who don’t matter to him, so he can destroy their lives.


More from News 12
0:23
Prosecutor: Man charged in deadly shooting of ex-Rutgers football player in Hoboken

Prosecutor: Man charged in deadly shooting of ex-Rutgers football player in Hoboken

2:22
STORM WATCH: Tracking evening thunderstorms expected to impact New Jersey

STORM WATCH: Tracking evening thunderstorms expected to impact New Jersey

4:01
Trial begins for Barnegat man accused of killing 6-year-old son through abuse

Trial begins for Barnegat man accused of killing 6-year-old son through abuse

2:29
13 students arrested for trespassing amid pro-Palestinian protest at Princeton University

13 students arrested for trespassing amid pro-Palestinian protest at Princeton University

1:58
New Jersey Transit police officers save life of 3-year-old

New Jersey Transit police officers save life of 3-year-old

1:42
Police: Several homes evacuated in Bridgewater due to gas leak

Police: Several homes evacuated in Bridgewater due to gas leak

0:27
Authorities identify man killed in Jersey City shooting

Authorities identify man killed in Jersey City shooting

0:51
Casino worker unions clash over proposed smoking ban

Casino worker unions clash over proposed smoking ban

0:49
Brian Lora, Passaic police officer and relative of mayor, dies at 29

Brian Lora, Passaic police officer and relative of mayor, dies at 29

0:34
Police: Grandfather, 6-month-old grandson killed by fallen tree in Verona

Police: Grandfather, 6-month-old grandson killed by fallen tree in Verona

New Jersey seeks fourth round of offshore wind farm proposals as foes push back

New Jersey seeks fourth round of offshore wind farm proposals as foes push back

0:43
Repairs underway at Cedar Grove pharmacy where tractor-trailer crashed into building

Repairs underway at Cedar Grove pharmacy where tractor-trailer crashed into building

0:27
Recall alert: Over 80,000 pounds of prosciutto recalled from Lincoln Park firm

Recall alert: Over 80,000 pounds of prosciutto recalled from Lincoln Park firm

0:29
Prosecutors: Man, woman charged with leaving 2 toddlers in car while attending a wine tasting

Prosecutors: Man, woman charged with leaving 2 toddlers in car while attending a wine tasting

1:27
Best of New Jersey: A taste of Italy at Matera's Italian Market in Rutherford

Best of New Jersey: A taste of Italy at Matera's Italian Market in Rutherford

0:35
Prosecutors: 2 drivers charged with vehicular homicide in fatal Route 35 crash in Eatontown

Prosecutors: 2 drivers charged with vehicular homicide in fatal Route 35 crash in Eatontown

0:28
Cliffside Park man accused of leaving fire burning inside his apartment

Cliffside Park man accused of leaving fire burning inside his apartment

0:23
E-ZPass warns of text message scam targeting customers

E-ZPass warns of text message scam targeting customers

0:23
Looking to complain about the smelly Tinton Falls landfill? There's a number for that

Looking to complain about the smelly Tinton Falls landfill? There's a number for that

0:24
Need a ride for an appointment? Monmouth County introduces wellness transportation program

Need a ride for an appointment? Monmouth County introduces wellness transportation program