A Youngstown resident and businessman was deported back to his native country of Jordan after living in the U.S. for 39 years, WKBN reports.
Amer "Al" Adi, owner of the Downtown Circle Convenience Store and Deli in Youngstown, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on Jan. 16 when he showed up for a hearing on his immigration status.
Family members told WKBN that by 11 p.m. on Monday, Adi was on a plane from Chicago to Jordan after he was moved from Youngstown.
His family was notified that he was being transferred to Chicago at 8 p.m., just hours before he was being deported.
Adi's wife, Fidda Musleh, said she called her husband from the Northeast Ohio Correctional Center in Youngstown where he was being held, only to find out he was taken to the airport and flown to Chicago.
While in jail, Adi was on a hunger strike until he was released, according to WKBN.
"I'm a little relieved to know that he's not in prison but I'm sad that this was such a cruel, inhumane way they did it," said Fidda.
The family is holding an immigration rally on Tuesday at Market Square, located on the corner of W. 25th and Lorain Avenue, in Ohio City at 5:30 p.m.
