West Hartford man fights deportation

West Hartford, Conn. (WTNH) - A West Hartford man is in prison, fighting deportation back to Indonesia, where he lived more than two decades ago.

Now friends, family and colleagues are rallying support for the man who they say is a vital member of the community.

Sujitno Sajuti was arrested December 10th and is currently being held in a Massachusetts prison facing deportation.

"I have to be strong," said Dahlie Fauzia Sajuti, wife.

His wife has not seen him for two months.

"I always pray to God, I hope my husband can stay here," she said. "I don't know God made round like this and I cannot stay in this country."

Dahlia has a work visa and her husband came to the U.S. for graduate studies. He's on a Fulbright scholarship and attended Columbia as well as UConn. He's taught science, math, social studies, religious studies and foreign languages. He's also a great community activist; outspoken about health care, educational funding and immigration reform.

"He has been remarkably active and public," said Jay Klemundt, of West Hartford, "and so it's especially ironic that somebody who's been so out in the open would be treated as a fugitive."

Sujitno's friends and family gathered in West Hartford to go public with his story. A Facebook page has been launched entitled "Let Sujitno Stay" and a rally is planned for February 25th.

His students are speaking out as well.

"When he was teaching me he would always be patient," said Sohair Khan. "He would never yell even though I would struggle a lot, he would be patient throughout everything."

Sujitno and his wife were applying for green cards, a lengthy and complicated process, but then 9/11 happened. Being from Indonesia he was red-flagged.

"After 9/11, he was required to do a special registration for males from predominantly Muslim countries," Klemundt said.

Sujitno did not file the proper documents and missed some deadlines, but they heard nothing for eight years. Then in December, he was suddenly arrested by ICE.

His supporters say it is a terrible injustice.

"For people who have no hint of association with terror or criminal activity, to be treated that way, it doesn't seem American," said Klemundt.

Supporters are also appealing to Connecticut's congressional delegation and the governor, hoping for a supervised release and stay of deportation.