Beloved Humboldt Park sub shop owner is being deported Thursday night, family says: 'He is our home'

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Asif Amin Cheema's family says, as far as they have been told, he is being deported on Thursday evening.

The 63-year-old Humboldt Park sub shop owner's family said he boarded a plane at Chicago O'Hare International Airport that will take him to Pakistan, where he will be hours away from any help or family if and when he arrives.

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"Last night is a night people celebrate, and we couldn't," said Asif's daughter, Rabia Amin. "We haven't been able to do that, because how can you, when half of your heart is gone?"

The family says they did not have the luxury of contemplating a New Year's resolution. Instead, they were scrambling for a last-minute solution to bring their father home.

"No family should have to stand at a podium like this just to make sure their loved one has access to medication, legal counsel and basic dignity," Rabia said.

Asif's family says the father of five has been in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody since September after agents carried out an order of removal that had been open for decades.

"This removal order is from the early 90s, and it has never been executed. There's never been any enforcement against him even though it has existed," said immigration attorney William McLean.

The Department of Homeland Security released a statement on Thursday evening, saying in part, "Asif Amin Cheema is an illegal alien from Pakistan who illegally entered the United States in 1989 and has had a final order of removal, issued by a federal immigration judge."

Asif's family has been fighting to get him out ever since he was taken into custody.

"It still confuses us to this day, because my dad had a valid work permit for years," Rabia said. "He wasn't scamming anything. He wasn't scamming the system. He had a green card interview earlier this year, so that is why we are so puzzled as to how this removal can still exist."

Asif's family and attorney say he has no criminal record and his only hope was to build a life for his family in Chicago, where they have lived for decades now.

"A week before he was taken, we were sitting in my office, in my clinic, I was showing him, 'Baba. these are the efforts that you -- these are your efforts. I'm able to open up my office because of your efforts,'" said Hamna Amin, Asif's daughter. "My dad is, and always will be, a proud American."

The family said they have been in touch with Asif, but they are worried, as he has been transferred to multiple detention centers.

"It's mental torture, and it's physically exhausting," Rabia said. "I mean, just last night, he was told he's getting transferred out of Indiana. He was bought to Broadview, and now, he's back in Indiana, and we still don't know why."

Asif's daughters say their concerns over his health are growing after he was reportedly hospitalized and without medication for days at a time while in custody.

"It's been a nightmare, to say the least," Rabia said. "We are very family-oriented. We all live at home. We lean on our dad for everything, emotional support, financial support, and it's been very hard for us."

Asif's family has been trying to run his sub shop for the last few months. Customers joined his family as they made their last-minute plea to anyone who can help.

"His entire life has revolved around making sure his children were safe, supported and loved. He taught us to value hard work, integrity, and faith to us. He is not just a case number or a file. He is our home," Hamna said. "Our family has been forced into fear and uncertainty watching someone we love suffer, not just because he's dangerous, he's not dangerous at all, but because the system has failed to see him as a human."

The family's attorney says they have filed lawsuit against the feds, including ICE agents who were part of his removal.

"This is not justice. This is not public safety, and this is not what our immigration system should look like in America," Rabia said. "People are not disposable. Families matter, and this system must change. Until our government recognizes the humanity behind these cases, families like mine will continue to pay the price."

The lawsuit includes an emergency temporary restraining order to keep him in the country.

"We are about exhausted, and I mean that in a lament term and a legal term," McLean said.

The family's attorney told ABC7 that they did everything they could up until the last minute, and they will do everything they can to bring Asif back.

Full DHS statement:
"Asif Amin Cheema is an illegal alien from Pakistan who illegally entered the United States in 1989 and has had a final order of removal, issued by a federal immigration judge. On Sept. 17, 2025, ICE officers arrested Cheema during a targeted enforcement operation. At the airport, when officers attempted to board him for his flight, he claimed chest pains. Out of an abundance of caution, Cheema was immediately transported by ambulance to a hospital, where he was medically cleared within hours. Conveniently, during this brief hospital stay, a stay of removal was filed, but rejected by the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. Cheema remains in ICE custody, pending his removal home.

Cheema received all medications and received prompt and appropriate medical attention, as evidenced by his ambulance transport and hospital evaluation."