Bangladeshi Mom, Daughter to Stay in US for Now

Teenager came to United States as a baby

A university student and her mother will remain in New York for now as they fight deportation to their native Bangladesh, their attorney said Thursday.

Supporters who feared Nadia Habib, 19, and her mother would be immediately deported cheered as attorney Agyul Charles announced that an immigration judge would review their case. No timetable was given.

The psychology and biology student said she is nervous while awaiting the final decision, but will return to classes Monday at Stony Brook University.

Habib, who previously attended the prestigious Bronx High School of Science, was a toddler when she came to the U.S. in 1993.

About 100 supporters, some holding signs and chanting "education, not deportation," had rallied on a plaza outside the federal building in Manhattan where the closed hearing was held.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Reps. Tim Bishop and Joseph Crowley are also involved in the case.

Habib's father, who has a green card, said previously that bad immigration lawyers failed to get proper documentation for his wife, Hazmin Habib, and their daughter.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesman Luis Martinez said the agency can't discuss the case without a privacy waiver.

Sara Martinez, 22, was among those who came out to support the family.

"The immigration system is broken and flawed," said Martinez, whose own family immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico when she was a baby.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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