Release Orlando Fernandez Taveras from Detention

Orlando Fernandez Taveras, a legal permanent resident who has resided in the country since he was 16 months old, has been held in detention for 2 years, away from his wife Lisa and daughter Isabelle. Both are critically ill with a liver condition, and Lisa lost the family home after Orlando was taken away and she became the sole provider.

More details on the case:

Despite a judge granting relief to Orlando, he is still being held in detention while an appeal is filed. Orlando’s family badly needs him at home. Please release him and allow him to fight his case from home. 

More details on this campaign:

Orlando came to the U.S. legally, with greencard in hand with his mother & father in 1978 at the age of 16 months old. He has remained in this country since that time, some 33 years. He is married to a U.S. Citizen and they have a beautiful 3 year old daughter, Isabelle who looks just like him.

Orlando had a very rough upbringing and his father left when he was in his teens. He hung out with the wrong crowd when he was younger. Orlando's deportation was triggered because of two 2006 misdemeanors for petit theft involving a pack of batteries and a pack of razors. Since that time, Orlando met his wife, married her, had a child, purchased 2 cars, works and job necessary to pay his bills and is an extremely reliable member of society now. He has always worked, spent time with extended family & helped his grandparents. All of his family is here in the U.S.

Orlando has been in ICE (Immigration & Cutsoms Enforcement) custody since December 2009. He has been separated from his wife, daughter & family for 2 years (Isabelle was only 17 months old when he was taken.) His wife and daughter were evicted from their home, lost many household possessions & deemed homeless for a period of time due to the loss of Orlando's income. His wife, Lisa is disabled and was finally approved for disability.

Lisa & Isabelle moved from NY where all of their family is located to PA where Orlando is detained so they can be closer to him and visit every other week so that Isabelle can remember who he is and still maintain some sort of relationship. Although visits are through thick glass and on a monitored phone line, Lisa makes sure that they maintain this visiting when financially possible.

If Orlando were to be deported, Lisa & Isabelle will certainly not get the long-term medical care they both need and will either be forced to move to a country they do not know nor speak the language or remain here in the U.S. and be without Orlando. This would be devastating to all involved. In addition, the crime rate, drug activity and lack of modern day conveniences there would bot be good. In addittion, they would be sent there with no money, no possessions and no place to live as well as having to give up their 2 Boxers, Buddy & Bailey and everyone would lose.

We ask that you please sign this petition to help Orlando remain in the U.S. Everyone can change and everyone deserves another chance.

Thank you

After signing, please call:

Janet Napolitano, Secretary DHS, Homeland Security #(703-235-0854)

John Morton, Director ICE  #(202-732-3000/202-732-3100)

Thomas Decker,Regional Director ICE # (215) 656-7164

Jeffrey Bubier, Government Attorney in Orlando's case (717) 840-7253

The Honorable Andrew Cuomo, Governor of NY (518) 474-8390 and you may also use this link to fill out a comment online:  http://www.governor.ny.gov/contact/GovernorContactForm.php

There is also information on the main page with addresses and web page links to help.

UPDATED 11-7-2011

We had a victory in court today.  The judge granted relief to Orlando (approval of inadmissability & adjustment of status).  Despite winning our case, Orlando is still being detained. The Government attorney, Jeffrey Bubier has appealed the judge's decision.  During this time, Orlando has to remain in jail which means he will spend a 3rd Thanksgiving holiday & 3rd Christmas away from his wife & daughter who have already been without him for a little over 2 years.  In addition, Orlando was not permitted to be present during his daughters liver biopsy on Nov 14th & 15th while she was hospitalized & in ICU even though the doctor has provided evidence that Orlando should be present. 

The judge has rendered his positive decision and found that not only has Orlando changed and become a productive member of society, hard working and family man but has also provided sufficient proof that there is significant financial and medical hardship to his wife & daughter.  DESPITE these finding by an Official placed in the position to make such decisions, the Government still wants to hold him captive instead of allowing him to take care of his family.  Now that they have appealed, using the same case law they used in trial and the judge already decided in our favor, he will wait yet another 3-6 months for BIA decision.

We need your help in telling the Government & Mr. Bubier that this is UNACCEPTABLE!  Please sign this petition, share it and Call those in power listed here and tell them you Oppose Orlando's continued detention and any wish him to be released immediately and also you oppose any appeal the government is considering.

We want to thank everyone for their continued support.  It means the world to us and we are extremely moved and overwhelmed with gratitude.-Thank you.

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