An Iranian family living in Austin might be deported for what they feel are stricter immigration rules since Sept. 11.
Mo Jamal and his wife Shahla came to the United States six years ago. They had to leave Iran in the late 70's because Mo opposed the Ayatolah Komeni. The family was granted political asylum in Germany, where they lived for nine years until things became too bad. They came to Austin to raise their four sons.
Two weeks ago, the Jamals received a letter from the U.S. Department of Justice rejecting a plea they made five years earlier for political asylum.
The letter informed them to leave the country by Jan. 13.
"The law is blind. They can not recognize who is eligible to stay here, and who is not," said Mo.
Their 20-year-old son, Manny, a student at Austin Community College, can't imagine leaving the United States.
"I think it is mainly because of Sept. 11. They are trying to weed out the possible terrorists of the United States," he said.
The Jamals support no acts of violence.
In fact, Mo, an acclaimed violinist, and Shahla, a professional artist, are very active in the community.
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Deportation?
The Jamal's plea for political asylum in the U.S. was denied.
 
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Noreen Garrison, vice president of the art society Shala belongs to, said it “would be a personal and professional loss to the community, since so many things they have to offer would be gone."
The Jamals claim the U.S. government can’t grant them political asylum since they already had it for Germany. But the Jamal’s political asylum status in Germany is up, and if they go back to Iran they'd be imprisoned.
Mo plans to appeal the decision for an extension.
