Hoover family separated by immigration officials reunites with hugs and tears (Birmingham News)

Hoover family separated by immigration officials reunites with hugs and tears

Posted by Erin Stock -- Birmingham News January 29, 2009 4:30 PM

Imad Mohammad's brother, a defensive lineman at Hoover's Spain Park High, was waiting in the driveway to hug Imad when he pulled up this afternoon.

The two young men embraced, and Imad's mother joined them, before making her way with tears to her four other children.

"I love you. I missed you. I'm OK. I'm OK," she told her 5-year-old daughter, who stayed by her side and took a close seat next to her on the couch once everyone was inside.

Imad and his mother, Sana Alsaidy, were released late Wednesday from federal detention in Louisiana and returned home today. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents picked them up Jan. 12 at their Hoover home for failing to leave the country after a judge ordered it. Imad's father, Mohammad, also was detained, but he was released the same day to work and care for his five other children, all U.S. citizens.

"I'm so happy to have my kids back, to be able to touch and smell them," said Alsaidy, encircled by her children. "I don't want to be separated from my kids ever again."

ICE spokesman Ivan Ortiz said the mother and son were released because of the humanitarian concerns related to the five other children. He said they are required to report to ICE officers under the conditions of their release. They will be removed from the United States once they obtain travel documents, he said.

The Palestinian family lost an asylum claim but had another one pending when ICE agents picked them up, according to their attorney, who is planning to try and re-open the case based on the pending claim.