Help Stop Deportation to Torture

In February 1998, Onsy and Fadia came to live and work here in the US after being granted a work Visa (H-1B) only to discover that they were given incorrect legal advice by the US immigration attorney that filed the H-1 B petition for them. This prevented them from being able to acquire and utilize the rights they were given under that Visa.

Throughout the years, Onsy and Fadia tried every effort to achieve legal status in the US but have been unsuccessful. Through a convoluted and tragic series of events and ruthless actions taken by Onsy's brother who lives in the US, after a falling out between the two brothers, Onsy was charged with a crime he did not commit. Onsy waited for over three years for his trial to clear his name and allow him to pursue other options that would allow him to stay in the US legally. Onsy's criminal trial finally took place. The prosecution had no evidence to present; Onsy's trial was mostly about his immigration status and how he was an Egyptian illegal alien. Onsy was convicted for the crime that he did not commit. Onsy's trial took place shortly after 9-11.

Onsy, who is confined to a wheel chair, has been incarcerated for the past five years. Onsy is an innocent man and has been a victim of a great miscarriage of justice. Onsy will finish his sentence in September 2007 and if nothing is done, will be deported back to Egypt where he and his wife will be tortured. In addition to fleeing from the army and escaping the country, Onsy and his wife filed asylum here in the US claiming religious persecution. That alone makes them an "Enemy of the Government" of Egypt. Egypt, according to the US State Department, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and other reliable sources, routinely uses torture.

For the past several years, Onsy's family have been trying to get Onsy's criminal case to an attorney who can right the injustice done to Onsy and overturn the conviction allowing him to pursue his immigration options. Onsy's case was recently reviewed and taken by one of Boston's top criminal defense attorneys. The attorney feels that Onsy has a rather substantial case and a good chance to overturn the conviction and exonerate Onsy. Onsy' case was also recently sponsored by the National Center for Reason and Justice. They are a national non-profit group who sponsor only a very small number of cases for the wrongfully convicted only when they believe that the person convicted is truly innocent.

Onsy's criminal case is fervently being worked on and time is all that is required to overturn his conviction and clear his name. This will never give him or his wife back any of the time they lost or the suffering they have endured, but it will open the doors for them through immigration to keep them in the US safe from torture in Egypt.

Onsy and Fadia have already suffered grievous injustice. They are terrified of being sent back to Egypt. This elderly couple are good people, devout Christians who just want to live out the rest of their lives together in peace and safety here in the US. Because of their immigration status, this exceptionally loving couple have not been able to see each other for the past five years.

They have their own apartment and both were members of the church (Fadia is still currently), they have many friends who love and support them, and believe in Onsy's innocence.

We are asking everyone to please take one moment of your time and say a prayer for Onsy.

Please pass this request along to your email list and everyone you know and if able to, please ask your member of clergy/priest to mention him in their prayers on that day. Also, if you know of any prayer lines, please call and request a prayer be said in Onsy's name. There is power in prayer and we need miracles to save Onsy's life.

Onsy Zakhary is still facing deportation to Egypt where based on new information out of Egypt, he will certainly be killed if he is deported.

Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.-Matthew. 18:20

Please ask that God send help to Onsy and stop his deportation and bring him home to his family where they can be safe and attempt to heal.

Thank you!

Urgent action: Please write and fax, email and call all the following politicians and ICE Officials on this list and demand Onsy's immediate release and stay of deportation now.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Bruce Chadbourne
Field Office Director, Boston

Todd Thurlow
AASOD

Brian Chuchhil
Officer in charge of Onsy's case

All at:

John F. Kennedy, Federal Bldg.
Govt. Center, 17th Flr.
Room 1775
Boston, MA 02203
Phone: 617-565-3304

The Honorable Michael Chertoff, Secretary, Department of Homeland Security
The Honorable Michael Chertoff
Office of the Secretary
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Washington, D.C. 20528
Operator Number: 202-282-8000
Comment Line: 202-282-8495

Congressman Bill Delahunt
william.delahunt@mail.house.gov
Local Mass. numbers and address
(800-794-9911)
Fax: (617-770-2984)
1250 Hancock Street 802-N
Quincy, Mass. 02169.

Senator Edward Kennedy
http://kennedy.senate.gov/senator/contact.cfm
Local Mass. numbers and address: (617-565-3170)
Fax: (617-565-3183)
John F. Kennedy Federal Building
Suite 2400
Boston, MA. 02203.

Congressman Barney Frank
in care of: Poly Dow
polly.dow@mail.house.gov
http://www.house.gov/writerep/
Local Mass. numbers and address, (617 332-3920)
DC Fax: (202-225-0182)
29 Crafts Street
Newton, MA 02458-1275

Congressman James P. McGovern
http://www.house.gov/writerep/,%20Local
Mass. numbers and address: (508-431-8025)
Fax: (508-431-8017)
8 North Main Street
Suite 200
Attleboro, MA 02703

Other Massachusetts congressmen's information available at:
http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/cgi-bin/newseek.cgi?site=ctc&state=ma

Senator John F. Kerry
http://kerry.senate.gov/low/contact_email.html
Local Mass. numbers and address: (617-565-8519, Fax: (617-248-3870)
One Bowdoin Square
10th Floor
Boston, Mass. 02114.

The Honorable Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State
Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20520
202-647-4000
http://contact-us.state.gov/cgi-bin/state.cfg/php/enduser/ask.php

The Honorable Alberto R. Gonzalez, Attorney General, Department of Justice
The Honorable Alberto Gonzales
Office of the Attorney General
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530-0001
202-353-1555
AskDOJ@usdoj.gov

You can help Onsy and Fadia! Sign the petition ON-LINE by clicking HERE

Onsy's case has been taken up by prominent civil and human rights groups, as well as religious organizations and the media. People and entities across the political spectrum are speaking out for justice.

Note: The petition is hosted on iPetitions.com, a free service. Please note that after you sign the petition you will be taken to a page that asks if you would like to make a donation to iPetitions.com - do so if you like but please note that this is NOT a donation for Onsy. Once you see the words "Your signature has been recorded" you can simply close the "donation" screen.

You can make a tax deductible donation to the NCRJ (National Center for Reason and Justice) on behalf of Onsy to help support his defense fund. (The NCRJ sponsors other cases so make sure to state that your donation is for Onsy.) http://www.ncrj.org/ or mail NCRJ PO BOX 230414 Boston MA 02123-0414

Father Michael Carvill, Pastor of St. Joseph's Parish, Attelboro Massachusetts, wrote this letter on Onsy's behalf to Senator Edward Kennedy.

The Coalition for the Defense of Human
Rights (CDHR)

11 September 2007

The Honorable Michael Chertoff
Office of the Secretary
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Washington, D.C. 20528
Secretary Chertoff:

I am writing on behalf of the member organizations of the Coalition to urge a reconsideration of the pending deportation of an elderly Coptic Christian, Onsy
Zachary. Mr. Zachary is completing a sentence for a felony conviction for which he believes that he was wrongly convicted. Implementation of the deportation order should be delayed at this time pending actions by attorneys who are supporting his case and reviewing earlier actions in respect to his immigration status.

Egyptian security have recently cracked down on Christian civil rights activists and other Christians, under emergency laws, as threats to national security for their criticism of the government's discriminatory policy toward the Coptic minority. Mr. Zachary's history which includes fleeing Egyptian army service and applying for asylum in the U.S., expressing a profound fear of persecution by the Egyptian authorities, will draw scrutiny by the Special Security Investigative services.

I believe that the deportation of Mr. Zachary will endanger his security and well-being. In consideration of the recent activity by Egyptian security services to interpret Christians critical of Egyptian government policy toward the Coptic minority I ask you to reconsider the deportation order pending for him.

Respectfully,
Coalition for the Defense of Human Rights, P.O. Box 53, Fredericksburg, VA 22408
(202)498-8644

---

Read more about Father Roddick and CSI by CLICKING HERE.

The National Center for Reason and Justice

August 29, 2007

To Whom It May Concern:

The National Center for Reason and Justice educates the public about injustices and facilitates financial and legal assistance for the falsely accused and wrongfully convicted. We are a 510(c)(3) organization and a registered public charity in Massachusetts. We act as a fiscal sponsor for community groups striving to free the innocent.

One case that we sponsor is that of Mr. Onsy Zachary. We believe that the accusation against Mr. Zachary was manufactured by a vengeful relative whose main objective was to get Mr. Zachary deported. Upon release, Mr. Zachary and his wife, Fadia, will be deported to Egypt where they face imprisonment and torture. (They are Coptic Christians who are on record of having applied to the United States for religious asylum.) We believe that the INS made serious errors in Onsy's immigration case. But while he has appealable issues, it has been difficult to get them even looked at because of Onsy's wrongful criminal conviction.

Our concerns about the welfare of the Zacharys are well founded. The persecution and torture of Coptic Christians by Egyptian authorities has been well-documented by the U.S. State Department, Amnesty International, and other human-rights organizations.

Mr. Zachary's niece, Susan Gillis, has hired attorneys John Swomley and Eric Tennen of Boston to write and file a motion for a new trial. We are working to stop the deportation. These are extremely competent and dedicated attorneys. But we fear that their efforts will come to naught unless we can enlist the support of concerned organizations and the public. Thus we implore you to join us in our effort to bring justice to Onsy and Fadia Zachary.

Sincerely,

Robert B. Chatelle
Executive Director, National Center for Reason and Justice

To whom it May Concern:

I have been recently apprised of the plight of Mr., Onsy Zachary whom I have sufficient reason to believe is the victim of a false accusation by a relative whose main objective was to get him deported. Mr. Zachary, unfortunately, was convicted and is scheduled for release from prison this September. Upon his release, Mr. Zachary and his wife, who are Coptic Orthodox Christians
will be deported to Egypt where they face imprisonment and torture. The Zacharys are on record as having applied to the United States for religious asylum because of the ongoing persecution of Coptic Christians by Muslim fundamentalists, a fact experienced personally by Mr. Zachary before he fled from Egypt. Such persecution is an all too frequent occurrence with the rise of militant Islam in the region. The case is thoroughly documented at: http://www.saveonsy.com/

Through a convoluted and tragic series of events initiated by the ruthless and malignant actions of Mr. Zachary's own brother, Onsy was charged with and convicted of a crime that he did not commit. Mr. Zachary's niece, Susan Gillis - the daughter of his accuser - has recognized this great miscarriage of justice and is championing her uncle's cause. This is not a fact that should be overlooked; that is, that the daughter of the accuser is defending the accused! It serves to strengthen Mr. Zachary's case in the eyes of any objective person.

As National Director of Orthodox Christians for Life and a concerned Orthodox Christian, I call upon the Honorable George W. Bush, President of the United States to intervene in this matter
and by Executive order, right the injustice perpetrated against Mr. Zachary and his wife. Because they are refugees from radical Islam, both face terrible persecution and possible death at the hands of anti-Christian fanatics if they are forcibly deported to Egypt. Furthermore, because this is a matter of the preservation of innocent human life, I call upon the Congress of the United States to protect the Zachary's from the certain harm that will befall them if our Government does not act
and act swiftly.

Very truly yours, Rev. Deacon John Protopapas National Director, Orthodox Christians for Life

READ THE ORIGINAL LETTER HERE

Dear Sir/Madam:

I have the honor to inform you that Mr. Onsy Zakhary and his wife will be in an imminent danger if they are deported to Egypt. From the history that is available in his case and because of the recent increasing attacks and persecution, I can assure that they will face definite persecution.

If deported, they have to face the unjust trial of the biased Egyptian courts. That will be their best scenario as they may be killed by the fanatic Muslims before the government lays its hands on them or even if they go to jail. The tide of persecution against Christians of Egypt has escalated to a grave extent. No single day passes without a Christian being killed or his property destroyed or a minor girl is kidnapped and raped. This situation became worse in the last two years.

While there are many illegal Muslim people in the USA who may be connected to terrorists or some sleeping cells in one way or another, I find that Mr. Onsy Zakhary and his wife's deportation will not benefit our country but definitely will jeopardize their lives. I add my appeal to the hundreds of American Copts and other Human rights concerned people who are asking for allowing them to stay in USA. Please do your best to reveal these facts to the USA authorities so that God will guide them accordingly.

---

You can read more about Dr. Dawoud and the American Coptic Association by CLICKING HERE.

"It should not even be necessary to organize a petition campaign in a case of elemental justice like this."

"I am a personal friend of Onsy's, an American Catholic Priest living in the Middle East, and can attest to the accuracy of these statements, having accompanied Onsy and his wife throughout his trial and imprisonment."

"This is a simple matter: we cannot be party to the evil that will be visited upon the Zacharys if they are forced to return to Egypt. Allowing them to stay brings no harm to us, but making them return brings great harm to them."

"I met Fadia. I was visiting Father Vincent Nagle when he was still in Attleboro and he brought me to visit her at the house of her friend. I am very glad to be able to do whatever I can to bring them some solace. So: I will continue to pray for them, including at Holy Mass."

FAITH UNDER FIRE
Egyptian Christians facing deportation
Homeland considers them 'enemies of state' for seeking religious asylum
August 30, 2007
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com

Volunteers assembling a campaign to try to prevent the scheduled deportation of an Egyptian Christian couple say the need is urgent, because the couple sought religious asylum in the United States and that automatically makes them enemies of the state in Egypt.

The campaign is on behalf of Onsy Zachary and his wife Fadia, who have been living in the United States since 1998. Their supporters say they could be deported as early as the middle of September.

If returned to Egypt, they fear their Christian faith and statements concerning the punishments they fear will prompt the government, which formally acknowledges Islam's Quran as its source of law, to resort to torture as has been documented in other cases.

READ THE ENTIRE STORY HERE

"I call upon the Honorable George W. Bush, President of the United States to intervene in this matter and by Executive order, right the injustice perpetrated against Mr. Zachary and his wife." ... "Furthermore, because this is a matter of the preservation of innocent human life, I also call upon the Congress of the United States to protect the Zacharys from the certain harm that will befall them if our Government does not act and act swiftly."

Read the entire letter HERE

Article 1: No State Party shall expel, return ("refouler") or extradite a person to another State where there are substantial grounds for believing that he would be in danger of being subjected to torture.

http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu3/b/h_cat39.htm


It would be a violation of the Convention Against Torture Act if Onsy Zachary and his wife Fadia are sent back to Egypt.


Here is what we know:

Dozens of Human Rights groups have investigated and reported on country conditions in Egypt and have reported ongoing countless acts of torture of Coptic Christians. Coptics are arrested on a regular basis just for practicing their faith. Once arrested, it has been repeatedly documented that they are tortured. Recently, young Coptic men were arrested for carrying a bible and listening to Christian music on tape. After months, it is still unknown where they are being held. There are numerous other similar reports in recent news.

Onsy is not just a Coptic Christian who values his faith and who has been outspoken about it, he is also someone who has fled the Egyptian army after he was tortured to convert to Islam and then escaped from the country. He and his wife then filed for political asylum here in the US and told of the persecution and torture that Onsy went through in Egypt at the hand of the government's own military. Such acts are considered unforgivable by Egypt. It is common knowledge that such a person, once returned to Egypt, will be jailed for his "crimes against the country". It is also common knowledge that such a person would and will be tortured because of their "acts against the country and its Islamic faith".

URGENT ACTION REQUIRED

We, the undersigned ask that Onsy and Fadia's deportation order be stayed and allow Onsy to be free during that time. This will allow for time for Onsy's attorney to overturn the unjust conviction and allow Onsy the opportunity to be vindicated. This will also allow Onsy and his wife to pursue options to legally stay in the US where they can hopefully rebuild a life, establish a business as they had previously, and fully become part of the community that has already embraced them.

CLICK HERE TO PRINT THE PETITION FOR SIGNING

Here is just a fraction of what we know about the unspeakable acts of torture, abuse, brutality and crimes against humanity going on in Egypt and according to all sources, it is only getting worse on a daily basis.

The following is from the 2006 US Department Of State Country condition report:

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2006
Released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor March 6, 2007.

On September 7, the Egyptian Organization for Human Rights (EOHR) reported that 81 detainees were tortured to death inside police stations between 2000 and 2004 and that 21 detainees were reportedly tortured to death in police stations between April 2004 and July 2005. EOHR further reported that detainees were kicked, burned with cigarettes, shackled, forcibly stripped, beaten with water hoses, and dragged on the floor.

Read the full report here

Have people who were sent back with diplomatic assurances actually been tortured?

Yes. Ahmed Agiza, an asylum seeker in Sweden , was expelled in December 2001 based on assurances against torture from the Egyptian government. Swedish authorities handed over Agiza to U.S. agents and he was transferred to Cairo aboard a CIA-leased aircraft. He was subsequently beaten and subjected to electric shock in an Egyptian prison, despite arrangements for post-return monitoring by Swedish diplomats. In May 2005, the
UN Committee against Torture ruled that Sweden had violated its absolute obligation not to return a person to a risk of torture and stated that "the procurement of diplomatic assurances, which, moreover, provided no mechanism for their enforcement, did not suffice to protect against this manifest risk."

http://www.hrw.org/backgrounder/eca/ecaqna1106/

In the news recently, a Coptic Egyptian man from Pennsylvania, Sameh Khouzam, who was also facing imminent deportation back to Egypt where he was tortured because he refused to convert to Islam, was granted a stay of deportation thanks to the efforts and support of several organizations and people who wrote letters and made calls and signed his petition. The efforts to save Sameh are still ongoing, please offer your prayers and support to his cause as well.


The following are some comments from attorneys for the ACLU representing Mr. Sameh Khouzam):

"The Egyptian authorities are notorious for their routine use of torture."

CAT, ratified by the U.S. in 1994, prohibits the U.S. from transferring a person "to another State where there are substantial grounds for believing that he would be in danger of being subjected to torture." The U.S. has sought to circumvent its treaty obligations by transferring individuals to countries - including those known to employ torture

The U.S. State Department has documented widespread Egyptian persecution and discrimination against Coptic Christians and other religious minorities, as well as widespread use of torture in Egypt


Comments made by Amnesty International in the Sameh Khouzam case:
"Amnesty International continues to receive well-supported allegations of torture and ill-treatment in Egypt. Some people taken to police stations in connection with minor offences are tortured or ill-treated to force them to confess; others are detained without being accused of anything."


Judge Vanaskie, who ruled on his, case said:
"Protection against torture is an essential component of the rule of law and a democratic society. While Khouzam may have no right to be in the United States , he most assuredly has a right not to be tortured."

Read more: Sameh Khouzam Granted Indefinite Stay

We are very happy to report that Judge Vanaski issued his ruling in Sameh's case on January 10, 2008 and has ruled that the United States Government cannot deport Sameh to Egypt because he will certainly be tortured if deported. He also ordered that Sameh must be released from detention where he has been held by ICE since 1998, he was briefly released in 2006 and detained again on May, 2007.

We are even happier to report that Sameh was finally released from prison on January 15, 2008 and he reunited with his mother Georgette. Sameh is still not completely out of danger however, and even though the judge did not order this, he is forced to wear an ankle bracelet and restricted not to leave the State of PA. Please continue to pray for Sameh, and pray that he and his mother can heal from this and be able to live a normal life and be left alone in peace by the United States Government.

http://www.hrwf.net/religiousfreedom/news/2004PDF/Egypt_2004.pdf

American Coptic Union Calls for U.S. Sanctions Against Egypt

Egyptian police using cash to avoid murder charge

International Christian Concern/Persecution.org

First - PLEASE pray for them

You can also help by doing any of the following:

Make a donation

• You can make a tax deductible donation to the NCRJ (National Center for Reason and Justice) on behalf of Onsy to help support his defense fund. (The NCRJ sponsors other cases so make sure to state that your donation is for Onsy.)

• http://www.ncrj.org/

Click here to sign the online petition

Click here to print and sign their petition and send it back

• CALL, FAX, EMAIL everyone you know and let them know what is going on. Send them the link to this site.
• CALL, FAX, EMAIL all your local and federal officials. There isn't enough time for snail mail. Tell them not to send Onsy and Fadia back to the country that tortured Onsy and will most likely torture both of them.
• Contact your local media to alert them to Onsy and Fadia's plight and the US government's plan to send him back to Egypt to be tortured.

Write/Email/Call and Fax:

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Bruce Chadbourne
Field Office Director, Boston

Todd Thurlow
AASOD

Brian Chuchhil
Officer in charge of Onsy's case

All at:

John F. Kennedy, Federal Bldg.
Govt. Center, 17th Flr.
Room 1775
Boston, MA 02203
Phone: 617-565-3304

The Honorable Michael Chertoff, Secretary, Department of Homeland Security
The Honorable Michael Chertoff
Office of the Secretary
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Washington, D.C. 20528
Operator Number: 202-282-8000
Comment Line: 202-282-8495


Congressman Bill Delahunt
william.delahunt@mail.house.gov
Local Mass. numbers and address
(800-794-9911)
Fax: (617-770-2984)
1250 Hancock Street 802-N
Quincy, Mass. 02169.

Senator Edward Kennedy
http://kennedy.senate.gov/senator/contact.cfm
Local Mass. numbers and address: (617-565-3170)
Fax: (617-565-3183)
John F. Kennedy Federal Building
Suite 2400
Boston, MA. 02203.

Congressman Barney Frank
in care of: Poly Dow
polly.dow@mail.house.gov
http://www.house.gov/writerep/
Local Mass. numbers and address, (617 332-3920)
DC Fax: (202-225-0182)
29 Crafts Street
Newton, MA 02458-1275


Congressman James P. McGovern
http://www.house.gov/writerep/,%20Local
Mass. numbers and address: (508-431-8025)
Fax: (508-431-8017)
8 North Main Street
Suite 200
Attleboro, MA 02703


Other Massachusetts congressmen's information available at:
http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/cgi-bin/newseek.cgi?site=ctc&state=ma


Senator John F. Kerry
http://kerry.senate.gov/low/contact_email.html
Local Mass. numbers and address: (617-565-8519, Fax: (617-248-3870)
One Bowdoin Square
10th Floor
Boston, Mass. 02114.


The Honorable Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State
Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20520
202-647-4000
http://contact-us.state.gov/cgi-bin/state.cfg/php/enduser/ask.php


The Honorable Alberto R. Gonzalez, Attorney General, Department of Justice
The Honorable Alberto Gonzales
Office of the Attorney General
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530-0001
202-353-1555
AskDOJ@usdoj.gov

If you are affiliated with any group or organization that you think can help support this cause, please get them involved.

We welcome your suggestions and support any time. You can email us for more information at: SaveOnsy@aol.com

Or you can call 508-505-5796

You can help Onsy and Fadia! Sign the petition ON-LINE by clicking HERE

Onsy's case has been taken up by prominent civil and human rights groups, as well as religious organizations and the media. People and entities across the political spectrum are speaking out for justice.

Note: The petition is hosted on iPetitions.com, a free service. Please note that after you sign the petition you will be taken to a page that asks if you would like to make a donation to iPetitions.com - do so if you like but please note that this is NOT a donation for Onsy. Once you see the words "Your signature has been recorded" you can simply close the "donation" screen.

You can make a tax deductible donation to the NCRJ (National Center for Reason and Justice) on behalf of Onsy to help support his defense fund. (The NCRJ sponsors other cases so make sure to state that your donation is for Onsy.) http://www.ncrj.org/ or mail NCRJ PO BOX 230414 Boston MA 02123-0414

My name is Susan Gillis and I am the organizer of this campaign on behalf of my uncle Onsy and my aunt Fadia.

I had truly wanted to be the first signature on this petition (or at least make the first page), but thankfully, there are so many people who support this cause that before I had the opportunity to write my comment, there are now over three pages worth of signatures and comments. I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who has given of their time to support Onsy and Fadia.

Having complete and intimate knowledge of the entire situation and having lived through it myself, I am so grateful to God first and foremost that finally there are others that see and feel the tremendous injustice that Onsy and Fadia have lived through for almost 10 years now and that I have been trying to bring out to light for the past 5 years.

My uncle Onsy is one of the kindest most amazing spiritual, God loving people I have ever known in my life. His wife Fadia is a remarkable, faith based loving women. They both have great hearts and are very honorable people.

Despite all that has happened to them, my uncle and aunt forgive those who have caused them this great suffering and injustice and simply have faith in God that: God always stands with the innocent person and that they will be vindicated and reunited.

Onsy and Fadia have a love and a bond that is unmatched. They are literally one spirit in two bodies. They had never been apart in almost 40 years until now. They have not been able to see each other in the last 5 years while Onsy has been wrongfully incarcerated. They talk on the phone two times each and every day with no exception and tell me that they feel as though they have never been separated.

There is not enough room in this petition or time for me to go into the unbelievable events that led them to this point and the injustice that they have suffered. I am also not allowed to go into details about the criminal case that is pending. I can honestly say however, that I am truly disgusted with our systems and what it does to people.

I have developed such strong opinions on the issue and again, there is not enough room or time for me to express my disappointment in what our justice system has become, or what our immigration system is. I recognize the great need for both systems, and have to say that we are blessed that we even have systems that can work once in a while compared to other countries, but the more I have learned in the past few years and what I have seen, I cannot abide by. Because we are who we are, the United States Of America, the leader of the free world, our systems and those associated with it such as attorneys and prosecutors should be held to much higher standards.

I used to think that justice always prevailed and truth won out and fairness and common sense had a place in these systems, but the sad truth is that they do not.

I am often asked by people how this has affected the extended family. How do you describe having to choose between your family members who have caused great harm to an innocent man, another family member, who can not even help himself? How do you describe having to give up and grieve for a family that is not dead in order to do what is right before God. How do you describe fearing for the souls of people that you spent your life loving and living for because of their actions before God? How do you describe trying to get through to people that are part of a system that does not work and who are overwhelmed or do not care? How do you begin to think about living with the consequences if you fail and your efforts go nowhere?

The only thing that I can honestly say is that I still have great faith in God and I know that he is bigger than any problem or circumstance. My faith drives me. It drives this effort. My faith in the goodness that I knew was still present in people has been resurrected by the support we have received. I also know that forgiveness is not something that belongs to us but to God. Only HE has that authority. Ours is to pray to him and ask him to forgive those who have hurt others as I believe that when you cause harm to another human being, you cause harm to God.

So, here we are, despite all these efforts by so many, these two elderly wonderful people who have never hurt anyone and who just wanted to live together in peace and faith, may still have the most tragic ending of all. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that if Onsy is returned to Egypt, he will likely never see the light of day again given his circumstances.

Everything that I have learned and all that I have been told about his fate makes me ill.

As time grows very near, a five year effort will be coming to an end for me, an end that I can not begin to live with.

The realty is that I still need help to change what is imminent: their deportation.

We need to be able to pay Onsy's legal council so that they would continue their representation of him. We need people to make a non-taxable donation on behalf of Onsy to the NCRJ. http://www.ncrj.org/ (please specify that it is for Onsy Zachary).

We need people in position of power and who can help to step up and help. We need people to write letters and fax them and email them and call: (please go HERE to see a contact list of officials you can write to and other ways to help).

When Onsy was first put into the prison system here 5 years ago, he was badly abused and beaten in the shower by other inmates because of the fact that he is Egyptian and because of the nature of his wrongful conviction. He was hospitalized in prison for weeks, after which he remained for months in solitary confinement where he would not be allowed to take a shower for up to two or more weeks at a time. It took everything we knew how to do to get him to a prison where he thankfully has been safe. Now he is facing being taken to another one of these prisons on September 16, 2007 when he is released from prison into the custody of ICE to await his deportation. Onsy may not even survive to be sent back to Egypt at witch time, he will not survive.

What I ask for, pray for, plead for, is that someone who is in a place to help me stop this and allow this man at least to go home to his loving caring wife to take care of him so they can be together and safe until this is sorted out to step forward and help us.

I am also asking anyone who can donate to the legal fund to do so; otherwise, his case will stop. Thank you all for reading this and for your prayers and support. God bless.

You can contact me at saveonsy@aol.com