As clock ticks on Humboldt Park restaurant owner’s deportation, family files suit to keep him in U.S.

Every year on New Year’s Eve, Asif Amin Cheema’s five children rushed to wake him after he fell asleep before midnight, all vying to be the first to greet him in the new year.Cheema, 63, the owner of Best Sub #2 on North Avenue in Humboldt Park, usually went to bed early to prepare for the next day at work, though his children never wanted him to miss the holiday.This year, his five kids prepared for his deportation to Pakistan, which was slated for Thursday evening, according to his family.At a news conference Thursday afternoon at the Rosemont Blue Line station parking lot, Cheema’s family announced that they had filed a lawsuit and were calling on local elected officials to intervene in a last-ditch effort to keep him in the U.S.“No family should have to stand at a podium like this just to make sure their loved ones have access to medications, legal counsel and basic dignity,” said his daughter Rabia Amin. “Until our government recognizes the humanity behind these cases, families like mine will continue to pay the price.” Rabia and Hamna Amin, daughters of Asif Amin Cheema, answer questions at a news conference Thursday at the Rosemont Blue Line train station. Cheema, an immigrant from Pakistan, was due to be deported to his native country Thursday night after more than 30 years in the U.S.Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times The Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.Cheema was detained by…

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