© 2024 Connecticut Public

FCC Public Inspection Files:
WEDH · WEDN · WEDW · WEDY · WNPR
WPKT · WRLI-FM · WEDW-FM · Public Files Contact
ATSC 3.0 FAQ
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Immigration Attorney Slams Deportation Order For Elderly West Hartford Man As "Absurd"

Harriet Jones
/
WNPR
Sujitno Sajuti speaks about his case in his West Hartford home

A 68 year old West Hartford man is facing deportation back to his native Indonesia. Federal immigration officials have denied his latest petition to remain in the U.S., where he’s lived for more than 30 years. 

Sujitno Sajuti came to the US in the 1980s on a student visa. He studied at both Columbia and UConn, but then overstayed his visa. He said he’s tried multiple times in the intervening years to legalize his status, to no avail.

In 2012 he was detained and targeted for deportation, but after his case appeared in the media, he was granted a stay, and told to check in regularly with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency.

Then a few weeks ago, he received a letter saying he must report to ICE by October 5, with a ticket back to Indonesia.

“I’m not a criminal, I never do bad thing,” he told WNPR. “It’s not fair - this is punishment for what? This is trial? I don’t do nothing. Because it’s only here, my life is here.”

Credit Harriet Jones / WNPR
/
WNPR
Sujitno Sajuti shows the ankle bracelet that he must now wear to monitor his movements

ICE issued a statement saying a federal immigration judge gave Sajuti a final order of removal in 2003. ICE says it has since has allowed him numerous stays of removal, to pursue legal options to resolve his case. .

“The fact that it’s a 68 year old man is facing deportation is completely absurd,” said Sajuti’s attorney, Bridgeport based immigration lawyer Alex Meyerovich. “He’s really not a priority for anyone, and it’s effectively a death sentence if he’s sent back to Indonesia.”

Meyerovich admitted that essentially Sajuti has exhausted his legal options, but he’s appealing to ICE for clemency.

“He’s old, the quality of life is not as great, and more importantly he doesn’t have any community support,” he said. “He has no-one there, he’s going back to nowhere. No place to live, no friends, no community.”

Sajuti must now wear an ankle bracelet to monitor his movements.

He’s hoping that bringing attention to his case will work once again to prompt ICE to issue a temporary stay.

Harriet Jones is Managing Editor for Connecticut Public Radio, overseeing the coverage of daily stories from our busy newsroom.

Stand up for civility

This news story is funded in large part by Connecticut Public’s Members — listeners, viewers, and readers like you who value fact-based journalism and trustworthy information.

We hope their support inspires you to donate so that we can continue telling stories that inform, educate, and inspire you and your neighbors. As a community-supported public media service, Connecticut Public has relied on donor support for more than 50 years.

Your donation today will allow us to continue this work on your behalf. Give today at any amount and join the 50,000 members who are building a better—and more civil—Connecticut to live, work, and play.

Related Content