Francis Anwana, 48, an immigrant from Nigeria, stands next to a Christmas tree, in Michigan. He's lived in the U.S. since he was 14, but now faces deportation. (Photo: Diane Newman)
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesman says a deaf immigrant from Nigeria in the U.S. illegally can leave the country on his own instead of being deported.
Khaalid Walls says Francis Anwana of Detroit can “make arrangements to depart the U.S. voluntarily” instead of being deported Tuesday as originally planned.
Advocates for Anwana say he has a meeting with ICE officials on Sept. 21.
Friends of Anwana tells the Detroit Free Press he’s deaf, can’t speak, and has cognitive disabilities.
Walls says Anwana was admitted to the U.S. in 1987 as an nonimmigrant student but remained here after leaving school.
Anwana’s case has drawn attention from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, a network supporting African immigrants and deaf advocates.
He was originally scheduled to be deported by pressure from lawyers, friends and activists stayed the hand of US authorities. Now, Anwana can leave on his own without the humiliation of being thrown back to Nigeria.APnews
