For years, Nik Shembitrasi has been cutting Charles Wells’ hair at Frank’s Barber Shop at the Oak Park Arms, along with that of his grandson.
But not recently.
Not since Shembitrasi, 49, who’s given first name is Besnik, was apprehended in May outside of his Elmwood Park home by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“He’s a very nice guy,” Wells said. “Peace-loving, honest, hardworking guy. He’s doing the American dream. Being a barber, he works really hard.”
An ICE representative confirmed Monday that Shembitrasi, who immigrated from Albania in 2006 and is not a U.S. citizen, is currently in immigration hold in Brazil, Ind., in Clay County, just east of Terre Haute and about 150 miles southwest of Indianapolis.
On Sunday morning at Frank’s, 416 S. Oak Park Ave., a gold street sign with the embossed name “Nik” was posted above the head of his uncle and boss, Frank Shemitraku, who seemed to work hard to maintain a positive posture.
“He’s not just my nephew … he did everything,” Shemitraku said. “Work hard, two jobs, help each other. His wife is (a) U.S. citizen, his daughter was born here. His parents are legal here. How can they take this guy outside and separate (him) from the family?
“Who is going to support (them)? His daughter is 8 years old. He’s the only guy to support his people.”
About seven years ago, Shemitraku purchased his Oak Park barber shop, which complements his 100-year-old location in Elmwood Park. Shembitrasi started working for him shortly afterward, after acquiring his licensure in cosmetology.
On Sunday, Shemitraku recalled the youthful Shembitrasi in Albania, who was always quick to jump in to help. Just like his adult counterpart.
“Anything you told him to do, he (would) never say no,” he said. “Same thing working here. Anything I said to him, he was ready. He worked construction. He just bought a house in Elmwood Park a year ago.
“Very nice with customers, he treats the customers nice and a lot of respect for everybody.”
But things went south on a Sunday last month, said Shemitraku, who was working at his Oak Park location at the time. At about 9 a.m. that day, his niece – Shembitrasi’s sister – called to relay the news.
“He came outside to meet his father for some coffee, Albanian coffee,” he said. “He just (went) to the car.”
At that point, Shemitraku shrugged, indicating that was the moment his nephew was apprehended by ICE agents. From there, Shembitrasi was transported to ICE’s Broadview facility before moving on to Indiana.
“He called his wife, he told her the situation, and now, we hope,” he said.
Shemitraku has not been to Indiana to meet with his nephew but did speak to him on the phone late last week.
“He cares about his family, especially his daughter, who is very close with him,” he said. “She has friends … ‘Why did they take my father?’”
But more importantly, Shemitraku said, Shembitrasi has been told little by ICE about his situation. He has a Chicago-based attorney, who declined a Wednesday Journal request for comment via Shemitraku. Shembitrasi’s wife also declined comment.
Wednesday Journal attempted to reach Shembitrasi via ICE’s media relations apparatus but was unsuccessful.
Wells said he’s concerned for Shembitrasi, but not only him.
“Why would you take a law-abiding citizen with a job, with no problems at all?” he said. “People don’t realize how serious this is. It’s intimidation, a lot of it.
“They can do anything they want.”