(WSBT) For more than a decade, Berrien County restaurant owner Ibrahim Parlak has lived in "limbo." The government has ordered him to be deported for what it says are ties to a Turkish terrorist organization. Parlak maintains he was never involved. On Monday, he may finally learn his fate.

A U.S. Appeals Court in Cincinnati will hear Parlak's case on Monday, and he remains hopeful they will allow him to stay in the country. But he knows this could be his final fight to stay. On Sunday, it was clear he won't be fighting alone.

The T-shirts were everywhere. So were the hugs and handshakes.
Young and old, friends and neighbors, divided by background, but united by prayer and song, each stood up wearing shirts the bore the phrase "count me among Ibrahim's friends."

Each had the same message.

"We love him, we support him, and we hope that this thing gets resolved in a positive manner, and we can keep Ibrahim right here amongst us," said Marty Goldrick, of St. Joseph, Mich.

It's not the first time these friends have gathered at Parlak's Harbert restaurant, Cafe Gulistan. Shirts, stickers and buttons were printed long ago.

"Free Ibrahim" they read when he was jailed.

"Ibrahim For Citizen" they read when he was released.

The support — say some — is natural.

"He'd give you the shirt off his back," said Goldrick.

"He's an American born in Turkey," agreed his wife Lois. "This person is a pacifist. That these accusations would be launched against him is astounding to all of us."

For Parlak, the support is critical.

"It's a great feeling," he said fighting back tears, occasionally stopping for a hug or handshake. "The most important thing is, it doesn't matter what the outcome. To me that's what is important," he said glancing at the crowd of more than 60 people gathered behind him.

Still, among the wafts of curry and spices coming from the restaurant, there was an air of uncertainty.

"I am trying my best to really be hopeful," said Lois Goldrick. "But I'm fearful that something irrational will happen."

"I just can't take another blow against justice and freedom," agreed Parlak's close friend Martin Dzuris. "That would be crushing to me."

But as Parlak loaded up the minivan destined for Cincinnati Sunday, and prepared for an uncertain future, one thing was clear:

"There isn't much left we can do," a group of friends said.

His community is behind him, and he is behind them.

"I'm part of [the community] and I'm going to stay part of it. And that's what's important," said Parlak.

No matter what the outcome is.

If that panel of three judges sides with the U.S. Homeland Security Department, Parlak could be led away in handcuffs. But, his lawyers say that is extremely unlikely because a bill sponsored by Michigan Congressman Fred Upton and Michigan Senator Carl Levin that would make him a "permanent U.S. resident" is still pending. That bill prevents Parlak from being deported, at least temporarily.

WSBT will have a crew in the courtroom in Cincinnati for the hearing, and will bring you the latest information as it becomes available.