chaldean DIGEST What
chaldean DIGEST What others are saying about Chaldeans Trump taps Oakland County judge, first Chaldean, for federal bench Washington — President Donald Trump has nominated an Oakland County judge and the first Chaldean American to fill a vacancy on the federal bench in Western Michigan. Trump tapped Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Hala Jarbou, a former federal prosecutor, to serve on the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan, the White House said. If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Jarbou would be the first Chaldean American to sit on the federal bench nationwide, said Martin Manna, president of the Chaldean Community Foundation in Sterling Heights. “Judge Jarbou has been a public servant for more than 20 years and brings the highest level of integrity to the bench,” Manna said. “She also has the utmost respect from her peers. The federal appointment is the first-ever for the Chaldean community, and we couldn’t be more proud.” – Detroit News BREAKING NEWS: Missing Chaldean woman Smuni Diril found dead MAHRE, Şirnak, Turkey — Smuni Diril, who together with her husband Hirmiz Diril, had been missing since 10 January of this year has been found dead nearby their village of Mahre in the mountainous Hakkari region in southeast Turkey. According to the latest information obtained by Syriac television channel SuroyoTV, the body of Smuni Diril was found in a stream bed that runs through the village. According to information obtained by SuroyoTV, Smuni Diril died at an undetermined time prior to her body being found but a cause of death has yet to be determined. There is no information as to the whereabouts or condition of her husband, Hirmiz Diril. The retired Chaldean couple lived in the mountainous Hakkari region of southeast Turkey in the Chaldean village of Mahre, Şirnak province. They are the parents of Fr. Ramzi Diril, priest of the Chaldean parish in Istanbul. – SyriacPress Vice President Mike Pence greets a campaign rally Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020, at the Detroit Marriott Troy hotel. He also met with Metro Detroit Chaldean chamber officials about the deporting immigrants. Pence meets with Chaldean chamber to discuss halting deportations Iraqi American Chaldean leaders met with Vice President Mike Pence this week in Troy, asking him to halt deportations of Iraqi nationals and to help protect minorities in Iraq. Two Chaldean leaders spoke with Pence for about 15 minutes Tuesday afternoon in Troy, where Pence was visiting for a campaign rally, said Martin Manna, president of the Chaldean Community Foundation and Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce. Troy — Vice President Mike Pence met Tuesday with the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce ahead of a Troy rally to discuss possible relief from deportations for some Iraqi nationals. The meeting comes as the White House explores ways to make good on a promise President Donald Trump made in Warren in late January, when he indicated he would offer relief for Iraqi nationals who have been fighting deportation for nearly three years. Chamber President Martin Manna said he spoke at length to Pence about the issue and thanked him for the work “being done to help promote religious freedom in Iraq.” “I provided a memo and some Manna said that Pence “was very receptive” to their concerns about Iraqi nationals being deported and that Pence said “they are working on it and hope to have some sort of resolution on the issue very soon.” The other Chaldean leader who attended was Kevin Denha, a board member of the foundation, Manna said. Chaldeans are Iraqi Catholics and a sizable community in metro Detroit. Pence’s visit comes after President Donald Trump said last month proposed solutions,” Manna said of the plan to end the Iraqi national deportations. “I told them again the amount of anxiety these families are facing and hopefully we can resolve this issue soon. “They said they are working on it and hope to have some resolution soon on the matter,” Manna said. —Detroit News Chaldeans meet with VP Mike Pence, plead for help with deportations in Warren that he was going to help Chaldeans facing deportation. “You have a wonderful Iraqi Christian community in Michigan,” Trump said. “We’re going to give those who need it an extension to stay in our country. And so we’re going to be extending them. A lot of people in Michigan have been asking for that.” “The vice president was very cordial,” Manna said. “He knew much about the community, and mentioned Trump’s comments” in Warren. PHOTO BY DAVID GURALNICK / THE DETROIT NEWS 14 CHALDEAN NEWS APRIL 2020
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