Full Breakdown
Imminent Deportation of Humboldt Park Sub Shop Owner Asif Amin Cheema
1/2/2026, 9:31:42 PM
Core Event: Deportation of Asif Amin Cheema
Asif Amin Cheema, a 63-year-old sub shop owner from Humboldt Park, Chicago, is facing imminent deportation to Pakistan after being in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody since September 2025. His family has been actively fighting against this removal order, which dates back to the early 1990s but had never been enforced until now.
Background & Context: The Removal Order
Cheema entered the United States in 1989 and has lived in Chicago for decades, raising a family and operating his restaurant, Best Sub #2. Despite having a valid work permit and attending a green card interview earlier in 2025, he was arrested during a targeted enforcement operation under Operation Midway Blitz. His family was unaware of the longstanding removal order until his detention.
Family's Struggle and Legal Actions
Cheema's family, particularly his daughters Rabia and Hamna Amin, have expressed deep emotional distress over his situation. They describe the experience as "mental torture," exacerbated by concerns over his health, as he has reportedly been denied medication during his detention. The family has filed a lawsuit against ICE, seeking an emergency temporary restraining order to prevent his deportation. "People are not disposable. Families matter, and this system must change," Rabia stated.
Official Statements & Responses
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has characterized Cheema as an illegal alien, asserting that he has a final order of removal issued by a federal immigration judge. In response to allegations regarding his health care in custody, DHS stated that Cheema received all necessary medications and appropriate medical attention. However, his family disputes this, citing multiple instances where he went without essential medication.
Criticism & Opposition: Concerns Over Treatment and Fairness
Critics, including Cheema's family and attorney William McLean, argue that the enforcement of the removal order is unjust, particularly given Cheema's clean record and the lack of prior enforcement. "It’s not fair to remove someone when the Board of Immigration Appeals is so close to a decision," Amin said, emphasizing the need for a fair legal process.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
There are discrepancies regarding Cheema's health and treatment while in custody. While the DHS claims he received prompt medical attention, family members report that he was hospitalized and went without medication for days. Additionally, the timeline of his legal appeals and the reasons for his transfers between detention centers remain unclear.
What's Next: Ongoing Legal Efforts
As Cheema's deportation looms, his family continues to seek legal avenues to keep him in the United States. The Board of Immigration Appeals is expected to expedite its ruling on his pending appeal, but the outcome remains uncertain. "We’re not going to stop fighting," Rabia Amin asserted, highlighting the family's determination to advocate for Cheema's rights.
Verbatim Quotes
- “He is our home," Hamna said.” — Hamna Amin, Daughter
- “This removal order is from the early 90s and it has never been executed,” — William McLean, Immigration Attorney
- “It’s mental torture,” — Rabia Amin, Daughter
- “This is not justice. This is not public safety, and this is not what our immigration system should look like in America,” — Rabia Amin, Daughter
- “Every day that he’s here is another blessing from God, because we can possibly do something if he’s still here,” — William McLean, Immigration Attorney
As the situation develops, the family remains hopeful for a resolution that allows Asif Amin Cheema to stay in the United States with his loved ones.
