ABC30.com, CA
June 15 2008

Dad Days Away From Deportation Reunited With Family

Sunday, June 15, 2008

By Amanda Perez6/15/2008 Fresno, CA (KFSN) — The father of a Bullard
High School valedictorian is back in the central valley after being
released from an immigration detention center.

The Mkoian family was just days away from deportation when Senator
Dianne Feinstein introduced a private bill that stopped deportation
proceedings. Arthur Mkoian hadn’t seen his father for more than two
months. "I was thinking we wouldn’t see him until we got back to
Armenia," said Arthur Mkoian.

Federal officials had already given Ruben Mkoian a plane ticket back
to Armenia. Then, earlier this week, he got word he didn’t have to
leave, after all. "I’m happy. Because I never think I’m going to be
back again and see my family again," said Ruben.

Ruben was reunited with his wife and two sons Saturday after a long
bus ride from a federal detention facility in Tucson, Arizona to
California. The rest of the family was ordered to report to
immigration officials June 20th, but a private bill introduced Tuesday
gave them a reprieve.

"It seems like a miracle. We were planning to leave already and this
comes up and now we’re staying, at least for a while," said Arthur
Mkoian.

Arthur graduated Tuesday, the same day the bill was introduced. The
Bullard High School valedictorian was planning on attending UC Davis
in the fall, but because of money issues, and because the family’s
immigration status is in limbo, that will be delayed for a year.

For now though, there is a sense of relief because the family is back
together. "I’m really happy right now. I’m just excited about – we’re
all going to catch up and have a good time until we find out what
happens," said Arthur.

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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress