Iranian family deported, leaving eldest daughter behind

An Iranian family that has overstayed its visa for more than 10 years was deported Thursday morning, while leaving their eldest daughter behind so she can continue her education at a Japanese junior college. The family — Amine Khalil, 43, his wife Fharoki Akram, 40, and their second daughter Shahrzad, 10, who was born in Japan, were deported as their temporary stay permit expires Friday.

On Wednesday, the three spent their last night in Japan at an apartment where their eldest daughter, Maryam, 18, resides in Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture. Earlier this month, Maryam enrolled in a junior college in the city to become a nursery professional in Japan. Maryam's family came to Japan on short-term visas between 1990 and 1991 but overstayed. Facing a deportation order in 2000, the family filed a suit to have it rescinded. The Supreme Court dismissed the request last year, finalizing the order.