American family stranded in Pakistan

international | rights, freedoms and repression | press release Saturday February 21, 2009 22:47 by Pindi

Due to false charges made against him by his father-in-law, Hasan (last name withheld for his protection) was arrested January 2006 without due process under the Patriot Act, detained by immigration (ICE), and tortured by a federal agent before being deported back to Pakistan.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

American family stranded in Pakistan

Islamabad, Pakistan February 7, 2009 Due to false charges made against him by his father-in-law, Hasan (last name withheld for his protection) was arrested January 2006 without due process under the Patriot Act, detained by immigration (ICE), and tortured by a federal agent before being deported back to Pakistan.

Since 1980, Hasan has lived, worked, and studied in the United States. He has two master degrees from Princeton and has bachelor degrees from California and Arkansas specializing in computer science. He met his wife Rose (a natural born citizen of the US) in 2000 and was married two years later. They have two children together (ages 7 and 3), both natural born citizens.

Upon finding out what her father had done to her husband, Rose sold her engagement ring in order to purchase passports and airline tickets to Pakistan for herself and her two young children.

Once Roses father discovered what she had done, he drove Rose and his grandchildren to a homeless shelter in Center City, PA and left them there with nothing more than the clothes on their backs. Rose and the children were reunited with Hasan in Pakistan January 2008.

Rose requested assistance from the US Embassy in Islamabad shortly after her arrival. It took several months before she would be seen; however she was told the only way she and her children could be repatriated was to divorce her husband and find three people to vouch for her. Rose is legally disabled due to epilepsy. She is unable to work, drive a vehicle, or care for her children on her own so this was not an option for her.

Gaining confidence and courage after an online personality at YouTube agreed to share their story, Rose created a video of her own telling of her situation. The video posted February 3, 2009. Within days the video managed to garner the attention of thousands of viewers (link below). Video updates as well as the original interview of their story can be found at their YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tx4TzpXXOdQ

To date, several people have been rallying to help this family. US elected officials have been contacted on their behalf. Many require a Freedom of Information Release, which they completed and sent to the Department of Homeland Security over 14 months ago to no avail.

We will continue to do as we are asked, stated Hasan during a telephone conversation I had with him yesterday. We are just happy that there are so many people out there who are wanting to help.

Contact Info:
Hasan and Rose
{OMITTED}
Islamabad, Pakistan
Phone: 011-92-334-526-3116
Email: mmok2k8@yahoo.com
http://www.youtube.com/mmok2k8