An Egyptian immigrant who has worked as a chaplain for a Cincinnati hospital was released Friday after weeks in detention.
Ayman Soliman was detained in July during a check-in with immigration officials. Soliman served as an imam — a Muslim religious leader — in Egypt for 14 years before fleeing to the United States in 2014, according to the Initiative on Islam and Medicine, where he serves as a board member.
Speaking to supporters after his release Friday evening, Soliman thanked the community for advocating on his behalf and recalled how his fellow detainees celebrated as he was released. His press conference was paused briefly as people attended to afternoon prayers.
“I can’t find words to describe this moment. This is beyond a dream,” he said, as supporters including religious leaders and children held up signs reading “Finally Home,” “Home Is Here,” and “Immigrants Welcome here.” “I will always be indebted to every one of you.”
Nazly Mamedova, one of Soliman’s attorney, said the U.S. Department of Homeland Security sent them a letter Friday saying that it has terminated his removal proceeding and reinstated his asylum. “All cases against him have been closed,” said Mamedova, who was one of the people who picked Soliman up after his release.
“I was so …