Sheikhan to Remain in States

Professional poker player, Shawn Sheikhan, will not be deported, thanks to U.S. Immigration Court Judge Harry Gastley’s decision earlier this month.  Judge Gastley came to the ruling because he felt that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security could not produce proper documentation about a 1995 conviction that would assist in determining whether or not the charges were serious enough for Sheikhan to be deported. 

Twelve years ago, Sheikhan was convicted of sexual battery and annoyance or molestation of a child and served nine months in jail and five years probation.  On August 30 of this year, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested him and kept him for over a week in the North Las Vegas Detention Center.  Sheikhan was released on $10,000 bond while ICE built its case for deportation. 

The 38-year-old Sheikhan has been a legal permanent resident of the United States for 24 years and has a wife and 9-year-old daughter.