Right in the heart of Sevierville, this family has faced a tragedy that no parent ever wants to experience. This kid is bright, joyful, Kristopher Rivas, has been taken away from us by ICE. He was a child when he came here, he just tuned 18 and finally able to do the right thing and get his papers in order. The void he has left behind is immense, and his family is incomplete without him. We are not just missing a kid; there missing a student who contributes positively to his school and a kind soul cherished by neighbors and friends alike.

Kristopher's story is not an isolated incident. Across the United States, families are being torn apart by ICE's rigid enforcement measures. This devastating separation has not only disrupted his life but has also affected his school and wider community. Pew Research Center estimates show that since 2016, over 1.2 million individuals have been affected by ICE deportations, many of whom are integral members of their communities.

Sevierville has always been a welcoming community, a place where diversity is celebrated. Kristopher represents the future generation of our town—our youth, our hope. His absence is felt not only by his family, his sports family but by his friends and educators who know the importance of keeping families united.

It is crucial that we act now, not just for Kristopher, but for the countless other children who risk the same fate. Immediate attention and intervention from local leaders and legislators can make a difference. We urge them to reconsider policies that allow such separations and to implement more humane and equitable measures. Congress and local representatives need to work towards legislation that prioritizes keeping families like ours intact, with sensitivity towards their contributions to community life.

We arm reaching out to you, the compassionate people of Sevierville and beyond, to help us bring Kristopher Betanco back home. By standing together, we can amplify our voices and send a clear message to those in power that this cannot continue. He needs your signature to show your support, to show that you care about this young man in your community, and to ensure that such heartache does not happen to other families.

Please sign this petition and help him reunite his family, right the wrongs, and advocate for a more just and compassionate approach to immigration policies. Kristopher deserves to come home to the place he loves, to continue to grow and live his life surrounded by the people who care for him. Let’s bring Kristopher back home to Sevierville.