HOUSTON -- A Palestinian family was deported Friday after living in Houston for more than a decade, but authorities said that they are searching for one family member who refused to go.

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Family Distraught Over Deportation Family Fears Being Deported

The Kesbeh family fled the Middle East during the Gulf War and was granted a tourism visa back in 1992, which has long since expired.

After years of seeking political asylum in the United States, the family's request was rejected.

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee introduced a bill that required the signature of one senator Thursday to allow the family to remain in Houston.

But the bill was not signed, so the Kesbeh family boarded a plane at noon Friday bound for Jordan.

Immigration officials said that Jordan is expecting the family and accepting them back into the country.

"We came here and we lived an honest life and we worked so hard to develop a business," said Sharif Kesbeh, the father of the family. "We survived selling American flags."

Sharif Kesbeh said that without Houston their lives will be terrible.

"It's like a big tree with deep roots under the ground, and you are pulling this tree and throwing it away," the mother of the family, Asmaa Kesbeh said.

"My dream is to be a doctor and I want all my dreams and future to be here," said Afnan Kesbeh, the youngest of the family who was born in the United States. "I don't want to (live anywhere) else."

Immigration officials said that the Kesbeh family stayed and worked illegally and have no legal right to stay in Houston.

"There's a reason why we have immigration laws in this country," U.S. Customs spokeswoman Luisa Aquino said. "You just can't blatantly ignore issued orders of deportation from immigration judges and courts of appeal."

Immigration officials said that they are searching for the Kesbeh's 19-year-old son, who did not show up for deportation as required.