Local wildlife photographer deported
While this weekend is Teatown's annual Eaglefest celebration in Croton-on-Hudson – an exciting chance to get hands-on guidance spotting the once-endangered creature (more info below) – fans of Hudson Valley nature photography were shocked this past week when one of the area's more well-known wildlife photographers was deported by ICE.
Last Friday, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials deported Hazaea "Anwar" Alomaisi, a 42-year-old Yemeni national. Alomaisi has been a constant contributor on the Hudson Valley in Pictures Facebook page, among other sites, taking wildlife photos, and even helping aid the rescue of a famished owl in 2016. He was also a volunteer with the Peekskill fire department and a member of the Red Cross.
Alomaisi, an undocumented New Yorker who had been living in the state on a travel visa since 1998, was checking in with ICE officials to review his case when he was detained. He was already on the plane back to Yemen when his lawyer went to visit him on Tuesday morning.
In 2005, Alomaisi “failed to leave the country in accordance with his visa requirements” and was ordered to be deported by a federal immigration judge. Alomaisi filed for an appeal in 2006, it was dismissed, and he was released on an order of supervision in July 2011. That order of supervision was revoked on January 21, 2020, which led to his deportation.
"This is a tragic loss and a horrible act of violence against our humanity and our community," said Paul Vincent on the Peekskill NY in pictures Facebook page. "Our support for him is unwavering and our prayers for his return will be unending."
Only a few days after he was deported, at the suggestion of his attorney, supporters from area photography groups rallied together to create a GoFundMe page to raise funds for Anwar’s return. The campaign entitled, “Let’s Bring Anwar Back!” has already exceeded the goal of raising $11,000 by over $1,500 as of Friday at noon.
Westchester County Legislator Colin Smith said, “After learning of his deportation last week, I immediately reached out to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand's office to see what, if anything, could be done about the situation.” According to Smith, Anwar’s attorney is “filing a motion this week to have the case reopened and, if possible, have Anwar returned to New York in order to fight the deportation.”
For updates, visit the Bring Anwar Back Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/181554256246775/ and the GoFundMe donation site: https://www.gofundme.com/f/lets-bring-anwar-back
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