Longtime Santa Rosa man released from immigration custody

<p>After spending three months in a federal immigration detention facility in Arizona, Okili Nguebari is happy to be back in Santa Rosa and laughing about mundane things in life, like his dead car battery.</p><p>“No big deal, just a car that won't go where I want,” Nguebari said Wednesday. “Little worries that can't compare with being separated from my family against my wishes.”</p><p>The 56-year-old native of the former French colony of Congo-Brazzaville, had been in this country since 1981 when he was picked up April 20 near his home off Santa Rosa Avenue by a half dozen Homeland Security agents. Nguebari, charged with overstaying his student visa, which expired in 1985, was released on July 17 and still faces deportation.</p><p>An Oakland attorney specializing in immigration cases secured his conditional release by challenging the government's ability to pluck him off the streets on such an old violation.</p><p>“Even though he married a citizen, raised a family and lived here without problem for 28 years does not guarantee that he will become an American citizen,” said Florence Ndedi, his Oakland attorney. “I am crossing my fingers that he will be granted amnesty.”</p><p>Although born in Africa, he grew up in France, where he obtained citizenship. Since 1987, he and Sabrina Krauss have been married and have raised two children, daughter Abanya, 21, and son Olembe, 17.</p><p>His attorney said his release is conditional while his application in mid-1980s amnesty program is reviewed and while revocation of the student visa that brought him to San Francisco is challenged.</p><p>Supporters of Nguebari's effort to secure American citizenship are gathering Friday evening at the Sebastopol Community Center for a welcome-home event featuring African food and music performed by dozens of his musician friends. Nguebari, 56, is a founder of the United Africa Club that promotes African culture and he frequently performs as a drummer at music events.</p><p>Although the Arizona detention center has been in the national news because of allegations of mistreatment of inmates, Nguebari said his biggest concern was being deported without recourse of a judicial hearing.</p><p>“I was afraid they would make me sign some paper that said I could not return to the United States and see my family,” he said.</p><p>He said he passed the time reading Danielle Steel novels and playing soccer with other inmates. </p><p>Since his release, he has been trying to reassemble pieces of his family's auto resale business that fell apart in his absence.</p><p>“When they took me to the bus station and told me to go home, I had only one place in my mind,” Nguebari said. “I kept thinking, on my way home, every day should be like Thanksgiving where everything is appreciated.”</p>