AREA DEPORTEE PINS HOPES ON CANADA

BURTON - Robert Berishaj, who has lived in this country since he was
9, is being deported from the United States.

Now, he's looking to Canada for help.

Berishaj, 27, on Wednesday was ordered to leave the United States by
July 9 and give up his Social Security number, passport and working
papers. The rest of his family, including his two brothers and
parents, live in the U.S. legally, but a legal loophole and a 2003
misdemeanor marijuana conviction (later expunged from his record)
have resulted in Berishaj being booted from the U.S.

Berishaj received the news Wednesday from an immigration officer in
Detroit - but he hopes to petition to become a Canadian resident.

"At least if I live there, my family could still see me," said
Berishaj, who helps take care of his parents, who have health
problems. He said if he's successful, he would live in Canada near
the Michigan border.

He said he was worried immigration officials would detain him and
immediately fly him out of the U.S. to Montenegro in the former
Yugoslavia, where he doesn't know the language and does not have any
friends or family.

"Thank God they didn't lock me up," Berishaj said after his hearing.

"I think they didn't lock me up because I cooperated with them and
showed up wherever they asked me to show up."

Berishaj, who works as a manager at the Courtyard Family Restaurant
in Burton, said he has been overwhelmed by the support of friends and
family. Hundreds have signed petitions asking the U.S. government
to allow him to stay. He said the immigration officer didn't look at
the petitions. He said he was saddened by the decision, but expected it.

His brother, Joe, said it's difficult knowing his brother is not
wanted by the U.S.

"It makes you feel like there's no human rights in this country
anymore," Joe Berishaj said.