ICE Deports Photographer, Peekskill Community Shocked

PEEKSKILL, NY — Hazaea Alomaisi, known to most as Anwar, went for his regularly scheduled check-in with U.S. immigration officials on Friday. But this one didn't go as all the others had gone, and the 42-year-old was deported to Yemen Tuesday before his lawyer had time to see him or file an appeal.

Alomaisi was a well-known photographer in the Hudson Valley, where he lived for much of the 22 years he spent in the USA.

On the Peekskill NY in pictures Facebook page, where Alomaisi was one of the administrators, Paul Vincent posted, "This is a tragic loss and a horrible act of violence against our humanity and our community. Our support for him is unwavering and our prayers for his return will be unending."

Alomaisi’s lawyer, Kai De Graaf, told the Huffington Post he had no chance to appeal. He fears for his life in Yemen, De Graaf said.

The UN describes Yemen as world’s worst humanitarian crisis with thousands of civilian deaths. The United States is supporting the Saudi Arabian government in its war in Yemen against Iran-backed rebels.

Alomaisi was known for his wildlife photography, and also for his generosity to other photographers.

"Anwar was loved by everyone in Westchester and beyond," said photographer Kevin Winterfield, who led bird photography tours with Alomaisi through Rockefeller State Park.

Alomaisi's most recent post on Facebook is a photo of a bald eagle, whose return to the Hudson River Valley he often documented.