At 11 in the Legislative Office Building in Hartford, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal will celebrate a stay of deportation that has been granted to Valent Kolami of Prospect, who immigrated 13 years ago.
From Blumenthal’s release:
“Both Kolami and his brother-in-law and business partner Adrian Emin were detained by immigration authorities on April 24, 2012. With Blumenthal’s help, Emin was released in August, while Kolami remained detained in an Alabama facility pending deportation, separated from his family and business.
On Thursday, October 31, immediately prior to a meeting between Blumenthal and Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement John Sandweg to discuss this case and others, Kolami received a stay of deportation and was released. He has since been reunited with his wife Gentiana, his son Franc and daughter Sindi. He expects to receive authorization from ICE shortly that will enable him to return to his construction business, which he runs jointly with Emin. The business employs six people.
Both Emin and Kolami’s immigration status must be renewed after one year, and permanent relief for their families relies on passage of a comprehensive immigration reform package that includes a pathway to citizenship.”