U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, today reintroduced private legislation, H.R. 461, in the U.S. House of Representatives on behalf of Harbert, Michigan, resident Ibrahim Parlak. This private legislation has been introduced by Upton in every Congress dating back to 2005. The bill aims to provide Parlak with Permanent Legal Residency status, which would allow him to legally stay in his home in Michigan, operate his business, and enjoy all the benefits of legal residents, without fearing deportation.

“Ibrahim is a model immigrant and should be allowed to stay here in America where he has raised a family, runs a successful small business, and has become part of the fabric of our community,” said Upton. “This latest action is meant to be a back-stop against any potential action as Ibrahim’s case is rightfully re-examined by an immigration judge. We’ve been fully engaged in helping Ibrahim since 2004 – before introducing the private bill the following year – and we have no plans to let up now.”

In August of 2016, The United States Board of Immigration granted Parlak a Motion to Reopen (MTR) his case to have his Convention Against Torture affidavit reviewed by an immigration judge. The MTR means that the 2004 order to remove him from the United States is no longer final and Parlak is safe from being deported until the issue is resolved.

Upton’s private legislation has protected Parlak from deportation over the years by placing his case in deferral while the legislation awaits consideration in Congress. However, since the retirement of Senator Carl Levin, no Michigan senator has sponsored private legislation. 

To see more of Upton’s work over the years to help Parlak, please click here.