Ibrahim Parlak’s deportation plight is caused by ICE being overzealous under the Trump administration. Ibrahim has been an exemplary resident of our country for the last 30 years.

The ICE appeal of the immigration judge’s decision that Ibrahim should not be deported to Turkey has no valid basis. For ICE to claim that conditions for Kurds in Turkey have improved since the initial ruling completely ignores the current Turkey-Kurd conflict. ICE should have dropped this case a long time ago. Ibrahim was granted asylum for valid reasons that still exist, and he has been a model immigrant.

Both Fred Upton and Jon Hoadley have promised to do all they can to prevent Ibrahim from being deported, and we hope they are successful. But the permanent fix to this issue is for Upton and the rest of the Republican party to pass comprehensive immigration reforms for the good of the country and have the courage to override the president’s possible veto of this legislation.

The southwest Michigan community has strongly supported Ibrahim in his courageous and just efforts to remain in this country. We need to continue that support by urging all of our elected representatives to do all they can to protect Ibrahim from the extremely overzealous actions of ICE.

In November, we need to elect a president, senators and congressional representatives who will fight for immigration reform and who will constrain the extremely negative actions of ICE. We need leaders in Washington to put the good of the country ahead of party.

Mike schnable

St. Joseph