Jordanian Student Deported Without a Hearing - ACLU Appeals

The American Civil Liberties Union is appealing the deportation of a Jordanian student from LaRoche College, saying the man deserved a hearing first. Attorneys for 22-year-old Abdelqader Abu-Snaineh (ab-del-KAY'-dur ah-BOO' SNAY'-nay) arrived for an immigration hearing on September 15th, but were told by Judge Donald Ferlise that he had already decided to deport Abu-Snaineh. The student was arrested last summer for failing to comply with a new federal program that requires men from Muslim countries to register with the government. Abu-Snaineh says he got caught up in taking too many classes and didn't register. Ferlise ruled -- based on written arguments submitted by both sides -- that Abu-Snaineh purposely didn't register and determined that was sufficient to kick Abu-Snaineh out of the country. Immigration experts say they've rarely, if ever, heard of a deportation ruling without a hearing. [more ]

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