He has a work permit, a coffee shop – and an ICE ankle monitor: ‘Is this America?’

Business owner Assim Alkhawaja was arrested by ICE as he dropped off Lyft passengers at a military base.

Now he’s stuck in a terrifying fight to stay in the US Deep within the bowels of San Diego’s federal courthouse, Assim Alkhawaja sat on the floor outside a nondescript office, waiting to be called for his ICE-mandated immigration appointment.

He stared straight ahead, his posture tense, his face a mask.

The hallway was brown, as was the carpet.

Above Alkhawaja’s head hung a framed stock photo of a waterfall.

A few paces away, official government signs encouraged people without legal status to self-deport.

“Leave on your own terms,” they read, in several languages.

“Claim a free flight and an exit bonus for each member of your family.” Continue reading...