'My whole world stopped': How a routine ICE check-in upended a Syrian-American family

'My whole world stopped': How a routine ICE check-in upended a Syrian-American family Submitted by Mounira Elsamra on Tue, 08/25/2026 - 14:15 Community rallies behind Syrian business owner facing potential deportation Iemad Saifo poses for a photo with his family (Courtesy) Off When Zena Saifo arrived at a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in New Jersey with her father, she expected a routine appointment. Her father, Iemad Saifo, had received a letter telling him to present himself for a "check-in". At the time, he believed he had little reason to worry; he had been working with his lawyers on his immigration case and had been complying with the requirements placed upon him.