The remains of a deported Iraqi man were returned to Michigan, officials say. Jimmy Aldaoud came to the U.S. as an infant and lived in the Detroit area.
The 41-year-old man died in Baghdad after being deported for committing multiple crimes. His family says Aldaoud had diabetes and suffered from mental health illness. They say he could not receive adequate care for his medical conditions in Iraq.
U.S. Congressman Andy Levin (D-Bloomfield Township) coordinated with the Aldaoud family, Iraqi and American governments, and other organizations to have Aldaoud’s remains repatriated.
"It's very, very complicated and involved to be able to have someone's remains returned to this country especially under these circumstances," Levin says.
"I'm very glad we were able to bring his body back though, because he really was an American," Levin says, "He was born in a refugee camp and was here as an infant. And he never knew any other country."
Levin says the Chaldean Community Foundation is covering the cost of repatriating Aldaoud’s body.
Levin says a private funeral is planned for next week.
