Stand with Robert
Donation protected
The Cause
On September 23, 2014, an integral member of our community, Mr. Robert DeKelaita was indicted on various charges related to his efforts to secure political asylum for Assyrian Christian refugees fleeing the war in Iraq. The Assyrian community is outraged by these charges, as it appears that this indictment is targeting more than this one individual, but the greater community. It is indisputable that the Assyrians in Iraq have endured seemingly endless violence as a result of Islamic extremism. Drawing the legitimacy of an Assyrian Christian’s asylum claim into question is not only wrong—it is insulting. The clients represented by Mr. DeKelaita have lawfully sought asylum in the United States. It is unlawful that they are later tracked down and harassed by federal officials in an obvious attempt to intimidate a community and belittle its suffering. We demand that the Department of Justice immediately put a stop to the immoral proceedings against Mr. DeKelaita, and instead utilize their resources to pursue criminals—not a man who is ultimately being tried for saving innocent lives.
Iraq’s Assyrian Christian community has suffered at the hands of Islamic extremists for decades, particularly after the 2003 United States invasion left them defenseless. The current takeover by the Islamic State has terrorized the Assyrian people, as the violence against them has surged. They have been made victims of unspeakable crimes—including brutal murders, beheadings, torture, and sexual assault. While prosecutors were preparing their case against Mr. DeKelaita, Assyrians were fleeing their homes with nothing more than the clothes on their backs. They are now displaced, living without means to survive—refugees in their own homeland.
Stand With Robert Movement
Individuals in the Assyrian community in Chicago have formed a committee and launched a “Stand With Robert” movement. Other similar committees are beginning to form in Detroit, Arizona, and California. Nearly 5,000 signatures have been obtained in a petition to Attorney General Eric Holder, accompanied with signatures from the bishops of both of our churches, His Grace Mar Paulus Benjamin of the Assyrian Church of the East, His Grace Mar Gewargis Younan of the Ancient Church of the East, and several other leaders of prominent organizations.
Part of the “Stand With Robert” effort is being concentrated on raising funds to help Robert obtain the best defense team possible to help fight these egregious charges. The length of the trial is unknown, but the minimum cost for defense is estimated to be $250,000. Before all is said and done, the total cost for defense could approach half-a-million dollars. Robert has consistently donated to our churches and all organizations without discrimination. At a time in which Robert is being attacked, he needs the community he has always fought for to stand behind him.
Who is Robert Dekelaita?
Mr. Robert DeKelaita is a prominent immigration attorney that has been the voice for the voiceless for almost twenty years, traveling the country and securing asylum for his clients. In addition, Mr. DeKelaita is a pillar in the Assyrian community and has been a strong advocate for the Christians, both in Iraq and in the United States for years.
Robert currently resides in a suburb of Chicago, while continuing to practice law at his renowned firm, R.W. DeKelaita & Associates in Morton Grove, Illinois. He is a loving husband to his wife of twenty-five years, Ester. A proud father to his sons, Ashurbanipal and William, and a proud owner of a german shepard, Lamassu.
He was born in Kirkuk, Iraq in 1962. His family relocated to Chicago, Illinois when he was eleven years old, fearful of the fate that Iraq held for its Christian community. Despite being forced to leave his homeland, Robert refused to leave behind his Assyrian heritage and spirit. He resisted the pressure to assimilate by learning the Assyrian language, studying the history in depth, and sharing his passion through the arts. At the same time, he developed a sincere appreciation for the American culture, and the profound way people from all over the world would come together as one. Robert would go on to graduate with his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and then later his Master’s from the University of Chicago. He would obtain his J.D. from Loyola University Law School in 1997.
Robert was drawn to immigration law primarily because he saw it as a way he could help his victimized community in the homeland. Throughout his career, Robert has served as an advocate for the Assyrian people–among other persecuted minorities. He has changed the lives of thousands for the better, his work extending far beyond the courtroom. His reputation as a powerful attorney stems from years of dedication and honorable practice. He is distinguished by his unwavering passion and his fearlessness. Mr. DeKelaita has been an advocate for the Assyrian people, among other persecuted minorities, for years. He is an exemplary citizen. He has dedicated his life and career to others, lending his voice to those who have been silenced.
Robert has worked closely with various Assyrian organizations throughout the United States. He was a founding member of the popular Ashurbanipal Library in Chicago, as well as the Chaldean Assyrian Syriac Coalition of America, the Nineveh Council, the Assyrian Academic Society, the Assyria Foundation, and the newly-founded Assyrian American Chamber of Commerce. A staple in Chicago’s Assyrian community, Robert has become a beloved leader to Assyrians internationally. He has earned the respect of public officials and world scholars alike, but more importantly, he has earned his people’s trust.
For further evidence of the communities wide spread support, please click the link below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8V7hpYt3L48
Any contributions towards the legal fund are greatly appreciated. Checks can be made payable to “Stand With Robert”, P.O. Box 1513, Morton Grove, IL, 60053.
We Thank You For Your Support In Advance,
Stand With Robert Committee
On September 23, 2014, an integral member of our community, Mr. Robert DeKelaita was indicted on various charges related to his efforts to secure political asylum for Assyrian Christian refugees fleeing the war in Iraq. The Assyrian community is outraged by these charges, as it appears that this indictment is targeting more than this one individual, but the greater community. It is indisputable that the Assyrians in Iraq have endured seemingly endless violence as a result of Islamic extremism. Drawing the legitimacy of an Assyrian Christian’s asylum claim into question is not only wrong—it is insulting. The clients represented by Mr. DeKelaita have lawfully sought asylum in the United States. It is unlawful that they are later tracked down and harassed by federal officials in an obvious attempt to intimidate a community and belittle its suffering. We demand that the Department of Justice immediately put a stop to the immoral proceedings against Mr. DeKelaita, and instead utilize their resources to pursue criminals—not a man who is ultimately being tried for saving innocent lives.
Iraq’s Assyrian Christian community has suffered at the hands of Islamic extremists for decades, particularly after the 2003 United States invasion left them defenseless. The current takeover by the Islamic State has terrorized the Assyrian people, as the violence against them has surged. They have been made victims of unspeakable crimes—including brutal murders, beheadings, torture, and sexual assault. While prosecutors were preparing their case against Mr. DeKelaita, Assyrians were fleeing their homes with nothing more than the clothes on their backs. They are now displaced, living without means to survive—refugees in their own homeland.
Stand With Robert Movement
Individuals in the Assyrian community in Chicago have formed a committee and launched a “Stand With Robert” movement. Other similar committees are beginning to form in Detroit, Arizona, and California. Nearly 5,000 signatures have been obtained in a petition to Attorney General Eric Holder, accompanied with signatures from the bishops of both of our churches, His Grace Mar Paulus Benjamin of the Assyrian Church of the East, His Grace Mar Gewargis Younan of the Ancient Church of the East, and several other leaders of prominent organizations.
Part of the “Stand With Robert” effort is being concentrated on raising funds to help Robert obtain the best defense team possible to help fight these egregious charges. The length of the trial is unknown, but the minimum cost for defense is estimated to be $250,000. Before all is said and done, the total cost for defense could approach half-a-million dollars. Robert has consistently donated to our churches and all organizations without discrimination. At a time in which Robert is being attacked, he needs the community he has always fought for to stand behind him.
Who is Robert Dekelaita?
Mr. Robert DeKelaita is a prominent immigration attorney that has been the voice for the voiceless for almost twenty years, traveling the country and securing asylum for his clients. In addition, Mr. DeKelaita is a pillar in the Assyrian community and has been a strong advocate for the Christians, both in Iraq and in the United States for years.
Robert currently resides in a suburb of Chicago, while continuing to practice law at his renowned firm, R.W. DeKelaita & Associates in Morton Grove, Illinois. He is a loving husband to his wife of twenty-five years, Ester. A proud father to his sons, Ashurbanipal and William, and a proud owner of a german shepard, Lamassu.
He was born in Kirkuk, Iraq in 1962. His family relocated to Chicago, Illinois when he was eleven years old, fearful of the fate that Iraq held for its Christian community. Despite being forced to leave his homeland, Robert refused to leave behind his Assyrian heritage and spirit. He resisted the pressure to assimilate by learning the Assyrian language, studying the history in depth, and sharing his passion through the arts. At the same time, he developed a sincere appreciation for the American culture, and the profound way people from all over the world would come together as one. Robert would go on to graduate with his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and then later his Master’s from the University of Chicago. He would obtain his J.D. from Loyola University Law School in 1997.
Robert was drawn to immigration law primarily because he saw it as a way he could help his victimized community in the homeland. Throughout his career, Robert has served as an advocate for the Assyrian people–among other persecuted minorities. He has changed the lives of thousands for the better, his work extending far beyond the courtroom. His reputation as a powerful attorney stems from years of dedication and honorable practice. He is distinguished by his unwavering passion and his fearlessness. Mr. DeKelaita has been an advocate for the Assyrian people, among other persecuted minorities, for years. He is an exemplary citizen. He has dedicated his life and career to others, lending his voice to those who have been silenced.
Robert has worked closely with various Assyrian organizations throughout the United States. He was a founding member of the popular Ashurbanipal Library in Chicago, as well as the Chaldean Assyrian Syriac Coalition of America, the Nineveh Council, the Assyrian Academic Society, the Assyria Foundation, and the newly-founded Assyrian American Chamber of Commerce. A staple in Chicago’s Assyrian community, Robert has become a beloved leader to Assyrians internationally. He has earned the respect of public officials and world scholars alike, but more importantly, he has earned his people’s trust.
For further evidence of the communities wide spread support, please click the link below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8V7hpYt3L48
Any contributions towards the legal fund are greatly appreciated. Checks can be made payable to “Stand With Robert”, P.O. Box 1513, Morton Grove, IL, 60053.
We Thank You For Your Support In Advance,
Stand With Robert Committee
Organizer and beneficiary
Stand With Robert Committee
Organizer
Glenview, IL
Robert Dekelaita
Beneficiary
