This Petition's goal is to find support from all that can help Vasiliy Melnikov in his immigration case.

Vasily Melnikov was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on June 15th 2012 on immigration charges after living in the US for 10 years. He is currently being detained at the Broward Transition Center in Pompano Beach, FL (#A98046972).

This Petition is our way to reach out to the government officials, agencies, and the media in hope to bring the attention to and influence on Vasiliy's case.

We would appreciate your signatures under this Petition and please add the reason why you are signing if it is not too much trouble for you - even if it is just to say that you think good people should be given a chance to stay - we thank you from the bottom of our hearts in advance for your support!

We are also gathering money for Vasiliy's legal fees. If you wish to help us please donate howevermuch you can through this donation site we created for Vasiliy. No amount can be too small!

http://letvasiliystay.org/

Sincerely,

Public Advocates for Vasiliy Melnikov

(copy of the letter is displayed below for your conveniece)

Assist with a legalization for Vasiliy Melnikov

Greetings,

I just signed the following petition addressed to: President Obama and US Senators Marco Rubio and Bill Nelson.

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Assist with a legalization for Vasiliy Melnikov

We are seeking your help on behalf of Vasiliy Melnikov (#A98046972), who is currently being held at the Broward Transition Center.

Vasiliy is an American, just not legally. Unlike those of us that were born here or got naturalized, Vasiliy was not as lucky. He came to U.S. on a Work and Travel Visa in the summer of 2002 and fell in love with this country. He fell in love so deeply, that when it was time for him to go back to Russia he took a very big risk and decided to stay, hoping one day to become a permanent resident of the United States of America. On June 15th, 2012, just two weeks after his 10 year anniversary of living here, Vasiliy’s hopes were ended during a routine traffic stop as he was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on immigration charges.

Vasiliy spend most of his adult life here in U.S., during which he enriched the lives of literally hundreds of people with his kindness, selflessness and his music. He always did what we ask of all of our citizens - he worked hard and was not picky about jobs; he paid taxes diligently and never complained; he contributed everything that he made back to the economy and he never asked for anything in return. He was always a modest and law-abiding member of this society. Vasiliy was always there for all of his friends and you could always count on him to do the right thing. Even when he was arrested and facing deportation, his first thought was that he was on the way to help a friend fix his air conditioner, but unfortunately did not make it. This is the kind of person Vasiliy is.

America is a pillar of freedom, opportunity, and better life. Millions of people all over the globe are looking up to the United States with hope and admiration. Glory, power, and legacy of the United States of America are built by courageous people, who came here in search of a better life from all over the World. The U.S.A. does allow for a number of aliens to become legal residents of this country every year. There are green card lotteries in some countries and foreign citizens are granted a chance to get U.S. residence almost at random. It is a great injustice that a wonderful person like Vasiliy is at risk of being deported.

To quote Ronald Reagan:”I received a letter just before I left the office from a man. I don’t know why he chose to write it, but I’m glad he did. He wrote that you can go to live in France, but you cannot become a Frenchman. You can go to live in Germany or Italy, but you cannot become a German, an Italian. He went through Turkey, Greece, Japan and other countries. But he said anyone, from any corner of the world, can come to live in the United States and become an American." Remarkable people like Vasiliy Melnikov who make this nation great should have a future in the country they call Home. If all aliens were like him, there would never be any “immigration problems” and aliens would be welcomed with open arms. Sending Vasiliy back to a country where he has no future, especially considering the current political situation there, as well as the fact that Vasiliy spent most of his adult live here in U.S., and depriving him and his future children of the home he made here with the help of his many friends and the love of his life is devastating.

Without a question, it is irrational that Vasiliy might be deported. All human laws are based on reason. Let reason prevail. Please give Vasiliy a chance to become a legitimate member of our society and support us in getting the authorities to re-evaluate his case and allow him to live his life here, where he belongs and is willing to work for the benefit of his family, his friends, the community, and this great country. Let Vasiliy stay.

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Sincerely,

[Your name]