Victory! Ernesto, father of 4 US Citizens, Granted One Year Stay of Deportation

How We Won

Jan 19, 2012

Ernesto Valladares is a backbone in his Alabama community. After being taken into ICE custody and separated from his wife and four US Citizen children, Ernesto was facing deportation: his family and community were being torn apart. William Anderson, an Alabama activist, knew how much Ernesto meant to his community and started a petition to stop his deportation. After nearly 1,000 people signed, Ernesto was granted a 1 year stay of deportation. His family and community will be by his side as he continues this fight. 

His wife Betty says: "Today God made a miracle for me! Words can't express how happy and thankful I am. I want to thank each of you for all your support and prayers. I had talked to Ernesto today and when I saw the number I knew it was him so I answered he sounded so sad. The first thing he said was 'they are asking me to sign the voluntary departure and they are telling me that if I don't sign that I might be here from 6 months to a year.' I thought he was calling me because he knew he was going to be out and coming home. When I told him he was coming home tomorrow his voice changed and he started to cry tears of happiness. We can't thank you enough for all you have done for our family! God bless you and your families!". 

URGENT: Ernesto Valladares (A# 074 586 007)  has been trying for over a decade to adjust his status. He has a wife & 4 US citizen children, one is in the military and another is in ROTC (enlisting after high school). Founded and is president of the Latin American Soccer league, also Co-founder of Centro Cultural Latino (now LUDA).

He is a tax-paying businessman who volunteered to serve those in need & left homeless during the April 27th tornadoes in Birmingham & Tuscaloosa. His wonderful children love him very much. He has a large body of supportive friends and relatives who do not want to see him deported. Separating Ernesto from his family is wrong, but especially since his children are citizens and serve this country!

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CALL ICE: John Morton @ 202.732.3000 or 202-732-3100

Sample Script: "Hi, I am calling to ask that the deportation of Ernesto Valladares (A# 074 586 007)  be stopped. Ernesto is a hard working, involved community member with a family who cares about him. He has a wife and four kids (one currently serving this country). He is loved throughout Alabama and I am calling to ask for his release immediately. DO NOT DEPORT HIM."

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