Asif Amin Cheema, a 63-year-old sub shop owner from Humboldt Park, Chicago, is facing imminent deportation to Pakistan. His family has stated that he is set to leave O’Hare International Airport on Thursday evening.
Family’s Struggle for Asif Amin Cheema
Cheema’s family is in distress and fighting to keep him in the United States. His daughter, Rabia Amin, expressed emotional turmoil at the thought of losing their father. “Last night is a time for celebration, but we couldn’t enjoy it,” she stated.
- Asif Amin Cheema is a father of five.
- He has been in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody since September.
- A removal order against him has been open since the early 1990s.
The Unexplained Removal Order
According to immigration attorney William McLean, Cheema’s removal order had never been enforced until now. He had a valid work permit for years and even attended a green card interview earlier this year.
His family remains baffled by this situation. Rabia expressed confusion, saying that their father was not involved in any wrongdoing. “He wasn’t scamming anything. He was just trying to build a life for his family,” she remarked.
Concerns About Health and Well-Being
Asif’s daughters, including Hamna Amin, have voiced growing concerns about their father’s health while in custody. They reported that he has been hospitalized multiple times and went without medication for days.
- Cheema was transferred between multiple detention centers.
- His family described the situation as “mental torture” and “physically exhausting.”
Legal Action and Community Support
The family has attempted to keep their father’s sub shop running amid this crisis. They are also seeking legal recourse, having filed a lawsuit against ICE and the federal government. This legal action includes an emergency temporary restraining order to prevent his deportation.
The Department of Homeland Security has described Cheema as an illegal alien who entered the U.S. in 1989. They assert he had a final order of removal issued by a federal immigration judge. On September 17, 2025, ICE arrested him, and during the arrest process, Cheema reported chest pains and was taken to the hospital but was cleared shortly after.
As the family continues to advocate for him, they hope for a resolution that would allow Asif Amin Cheema to remain with his loved ones. “He is not just a case number or a file. He is our home,” said Hamna Amin, highlighting their deep family bonds.
