CNN · November 7, 2026

Hollywood success and immigration uncertainty are colliding in the life of actor Laith Nakli. The actor, who stars alongside Oscar winner Mahershala Ali in Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother, is fighting a reopened US immigration case that could lead to his deportation. News Minimalist+1

Actor Laith Nakli Fights Deportation as His Biggest Film Career Opportunity Arrives

What happened?

Laith Nakli, a 56-year-old actor known for his role as Uncle Nasseem in the television series Ramy, is facing renewed immigration proceedings in the United States.

Nakli is appearing in the film Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother, directed by Bassam Tariq and starring Mahershala Ali. He considers it the biggest film opportunity of his career.

However, he missed the film’s Hollywood premiere because he feared traveling while his immigration case remained unresolved. He was able to attend a screening in New York. The Sun Report+1

Why could he be deported?

Nakli was born in the United Kingdom to Syrian parents and holds British and Syrian citizenship. He came to the United States in the 1990s.

In 2000, he pleaded guilty to drug-related conspiracy charges involving controlled substances. He received probation, community service and a fine.

The conviction later became part of his immigration case. US authorities began deportation proceedings, but the case was administratively closed in 2013. The Trump administration reopened it in 2025 as part of a wider effort to bring previously closed immigration cases back before judges. The Sun Report+2

His legal battle

Nakli’s attorney, Kam Perez, asked a federal judge to overturn the 2000 conviction, arguing that Nakli’s former lawyer had not properly explained its possible immigration consequences.

However, US District Judge Frederic Block rejected the petition, finding that the legal requirements had not been met and that Nakli had been warned about possible deportation consequences.

Perez subsequently filed a request asking the judge to reconsider the decision. tl;dr daily news+1

A temporary reprieve

At an immigration court hearing on October 30, Nakli received a new court date: December 23, 2027.

The delay gives him and his legal team more time to continue fighting the case. He also received a temporary passport stamp allowing him to continue working in the United States.

Important: Nakli has not been confirmed deported, and the new hearing date is not a final decision granting him permanent immigration status. His legal case remains unresolved. News Minimalist+2

His career and personal struggle

Nakli has built a career through television, film and mentorship. In addition to Ramy, he appeared in the film Problemista, playing an immigration lawyer.

Actor and comedian Ramy Youssef has also praised Nakli for helping other performers through introductions, financial assistance and temporary housing.

Nakli says his experience as an immigrant has helped him understand the loneliness and struggle for belonging reflected in some of his characters. The Sun Report+1

The situation highlights how immigration proceedings can affect not only someone’s legal future but also their professional opportunities and personal life.

Original CNN article: Read the full CNN report.

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Social media post

Actor Laith Nakli is experiencing one of the biggest moments of his career while fighting an immigration case that could lead to his deportation from the United States.

Nakli stars alongside Oscar winner Mahershala Ali in the film Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother. However, uncertainty surrounding his immigration status prevented him from attending the movie’s Hollywood premiere.

His immigration case was reopened after being administratively closed in 2013. The case involves a 2000 drug-related conviction.

A federal judge rejected his request to overturn that conviction, but his attorney has asked the judge to reconsider.

At an immigration hearing, Nakli received a new court date of December 23, 2027, giving him more time to continue his legal fight.

His case remains unresolved, and he has not been ordered deported.

📍 New York, United States
📅 CNN report: November 7, 2026
🎬 Film: Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother
⚖️ Next court date: December 23, 2027

🔗 Source: CNN
https://edition.cnn.com/2026/11/07/us/laith-nakli-your-mother-movie-immigration

#LaithNakli #Hollywood #Immigration #Deportation #USNews #MahershalaAli #CNN

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