Rally and City Council Resolution Oppose Deportation of New Britain Family

A rally was held outside of City Hall to oppose the deportation of a New Britain family who are owners of the Pizza Corner restaurant on Broad Street.

The rally was held amidst the late winter snow on March 14, 2018.

At the City Council meeting later that evening, Ald. Brian Keith Albert (D-2) and Ald. Katie Breslin (D-AL) introduced a resolution, saying that, “Malik Naveed Bin Rehman and Zahida Altaf are a married couple from Pakistan who currently reside in New Britain,” and that, “they are being sentenced to deportation because, upon moving to the United States, their lawyer did not work to get them an extended visa and a path to citizenship, despite paying more than $6,500 to the lawyer.” The resolution added that, “the lawyer was sent to jail for fraud.”

The resolution says that the, “family pays taxes, have no criminal record, and own Pizza Corner on Broad Street in New Britain,” and, ” they have a five year old daughter who is a citizen of the United States of America, Roniya Malik,” yet, “they are scheduled for deportation on March 19, 2018.”

Bringing applause, the Council approved the resolution, saying that the, “Common Council of the City of New Britain support Malik Naveed bin Rehman and Zahida Alta to stay because they are good-standing citizens of New Britain and help our City.”