Sen. Schumer wants Pakistani released

By SUSAN ELAN
THE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original publication: March 19, 2004)

Sen. Charles Schumer has joined Rep. Charles Rangel and more than 1,000 upstate residents in calling for the release of a Pakistani pizza deliveryman detained in a federal prison for more than two years in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The Journal News first reported on Ansar Mahmood's struggle to overcome a deportation order in September 2003.

Mahmood, 26, who lived and worked legally in Hudson, N.Y., was sentenced to probation after pleading guilty to co-signing an apartment lease and registering a car for a Pakistani couple who had overstayed their tourist visas. Because Mahmood is an immigrant, his guilty plea to the felony charge of "harboring aliens" made him eligible for deportation.

Schumer, D-N.Y., on Wednesday called on federal officials to defer Mahmood's deportation and grant him a supervised release.

"I'm sympathetic to Ansar Mahmood," Schumer wrote. "The FBI cleared him of any links to violent crimes. He has been a model prisoner, and he has strong support within the community. From time to time, the federal government will grant supervised releases that allow a person to remain in the country but require him to check in with the government every month. This is a case that merits that response."

In January, Rangel, D-N.Y., became the first public official to join a Columbia County citizens group in calling for Mahmood's release and return to the upstate community where he has several offers of housing and employment.

Mahmood came to the United States legally in April 2000, after winning an immigration lottery. By working up to 14 hours a day as a pizza deliveryman and living frugally, he earned enough to move his parents and younger sisters in Pakistan out of poverty.

He was arrested in October 2001 after asking a security guard at the Hudson reservoir to take his photo. Mahmood was cleared by the FBI of any suspected terrorist activity, but police found the lease and car registration during a search of his home.

"I believe we need to do everything within reason to defend our nation and crack down on terrorism, but this is not a terrorism case," Schumer said yesterday. "Ansar Mahmood has been fully investigated by the FBI, and it's determined that he is not a threat to the United States. There is not a compelling case for him to be deported."

Department of Homeland Security spokesman William Strassberger said Wednesday that because Mahmood has dropped a court appeal, "it is just a matter of time before he is removed."

But Susan Davies, organizer of Mahmood's Columbia County-based defense committee, and one of 60 supporters who rallied on his behalf outside the Federal Detention Facility in Batavia, N.Y., on March 13 said Schumer's letter has given the group renewed hope. About 1,000 people have signed a petition calling for Mahmood's release.

"We're very excited to have Senator Schumer's support," Davies said. "He's very influential and respected by immigration authorities."

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