Teacher Facing Deportation Freed From Jail

BOSTON -- A Boston public school teacher released from jail Thursday said he has learned more from his students then they will ever know.

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Janet Wu Reports On Teacher

NewsCenter 5's Janet Wu reported that Obain Attouoman was imprisoned for immigration violations, but after a massive outcry and demonstrations by his students, he was released.

"Yesterday was like a dream," said Attouoman after his release from jail. "It was just incredible to see all those kids out there welcoming me."

Attouoman is a popular and respected math teacher at Fenway High School, but he had been in jail for more than three months. Attouoman said he had no idea there was a warrant out for his arrest last fall when he was picked up. But letters, telephone calls and demonstrations by his colleagues and students led to his release Thursday afternoon.

"I didn't believe it until I walked out of the building, and thought, I guess I'm really being released," said Attouoman.

Attouoman arrived from the Ivory Coast on a visitor's visa 12 years ago. Coming from a family of political activists, he had been arrested and jailed several times while in high school and college, so he filed for political asylum in the United States.

Attouoman said he misread the handwritten date of his hearing and believed he was following the proper legal protocol to remedy the situation. Now, he could be deported within weeks and he knows what would happen.

"I'll probably end up in jail if I'm lucky, but I think something worse could happen," said Attouoman.

Meanwhile, 11 Boston city councilors are petitioning immigration officials on his behalf.

"Many of our immigrants coming to America, they really want to make a difference; and they believe in democracy. Mr. Obain is a very good example of someone who is compassionate and loved and admired by people in contact with him," said Boston City Councilor Felix Arroyo.

Attouoman said he simply wants to do what he does best.

"You want to be able to be at the school and teach the students. And not only teach the contents, but teach them how to be good human beings, and people who can contribute to their society, " said Attouoman.

Attouoman said his release is more of a victory for his students than it is for him and that they learned to believe in their ability to bring about change.

But he said his students also taught him a lesson that there is no limit to the power of the community.

Attouoman now waits for Immigration to act.

The director of Immigration in Boston did not return NewsCenter 5's telephone calls for comment.