MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. – A Michigan family tried everything to stop the sudden deportation of their mother.

They spoke with a lawyer. They called state senators. And they reached out to Local 4 to share their story with our viewers.

But on Friday, Irina Sobierajska went to Detroit Metro Airport to head back to Poland, leaving the United States after 20 years.

Her family said they were told she had to leave the country within 48 hours, even though they kept up with her immigration requirements.

“They look at her as a criminal and that’s just the heartbreaking part,” her son, Bernard Sobierajska, said. “She’s never done anything, and she’s just the nicest person in the world. I don’t get it.”

“I feel like people could find it in their hearts to not separate a family who is trying to just live a life like anybody else, and have the same opportunities and work hard,” her daughter, Patrycja Sobierajska, said.

They received a notice last week that Irina Sobierajska’s stay of removal request was denied by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations.

“How can you go back to a country you have literally nothing?” Irina Sobierajska said.

She is a Polish citizen who lived in Poland for about 10 years. She’s allowed to work in the U.S. but is currently an unlawful resident because she doesn’t have legal status.

“Her and my dad came to the country to help build a better life and start a strong foundation for my brother and myself,” Patrycja Sobierajska said.

Irina Sobierajska is also the caretaker for her husband, who suffers from diabetes, arthritis, and depression. The family fears his condition will worsen without her.

“He just doesn’t know how he is going to continue his daily life without his wife by his side,” Patrycja Sobierajska said.

“It’s just all unfair,” Bernard Sobierajska said. “I don’t think her case was looked at enough.”

ICE released the following statement about Irina’s case to Local 4:

Irina Sobierajska was ordered removed by an immigration judge in 2014 as she was a visa overstay. She has been afforded due process as she made multiple attempts to appeal that decision with the courts, but the immigration judge’s order of removal still stands. ICE allows aliens to pursue relief from removal but when they exhaust all legal avenues to do so, ICE must carry out the judge’s removal order.

Statement from ICE

• A European theater chain, Kinepolis Group, is acquiring the Troy-based Emagine Entertainment.
• The deal is valued at $105 million and is expected to be finalized by the end of the year.

A European theater chain is buying Troy-based Emagine Entertainment.

Kinepolis Group, a Belgian company, announced on Tuesday, Nov. 4, that it plans to acquire 14 Emagine theaters in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin and finalize the $105 million deal by the end of the year.

The deal is for 100% of Emagine’s business, according to a news release, and the theaters will continue to operated under the Emagine brand name.

Crain’s Detroit reported that Glantz and his family own about 36% of Emagine.

Not all of the 28 theater locations listed on Emagine’s website are included in the deal, as about half are operated by third parties.

The Kinepolis Group previously acquired the MJR Digital Cinemas chain in 2019 and continued to operate those theaters under the MJR brand.