The body of a 41-year-old Iraqi-born man who died in Baghdad after being deported from the U.S. in June will be returned to Michigan for burial. He will be buried alongside his mother.
Democratic U.S. Rep. Andy Levin of Michigan announced Friday that he and the family of Jimmy Aldaoud had secured the return of his body. Levin says Aldaoud died of a "diabetic crisis."
Aldaoud lived in the Detroit area. He was deported in June for committing multiple crimes. He was among hundreds of Iraqi nationals who were arrested to enforce deportation orders.
Rita Bolis, Aldaoud's sister, says the family is "comforted that he will be laid to rest next to our mom."
Levin says he’s still hoping the U.S. government will halt more deportations.
“I know from my conversations with the U.S. and Iraqi governments that more deportations like this are in the works, and we just have to stop it just on the most basic of humanitarian and human rights grounds.”
Aldaoud came to the U.S. as an infant but was ordered to leave following a series of criminal convictions. He was found dead in Baghdad earlier this week. A family friend says he suffered from diabetes and mental health issues.
According to Levin, the Chaldean Community Foundation will cover the costs of repatriating Aldaoud's body. The transfer is expected to be completed this month.
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