A longtime Nebraska business owner, father, and community leader is now facing deportation—and our community is at risk of losing one of its own.

Carlos Godinez, owner of Nick’s Gyros in Kearney for the past 15 years, was detained by ICE on March 11 and is currently being held on an immigration hold in Hall County. Carlos has lived in the United States for 37 years, after arriving as a child. He built a life here, raised a family, and gave back to his community in meaningful ways.

Carlos is not a stranger to Nebraska—he is part of its fabric.

He is a father of two young boys, ages 11 and 13. He has mentored youth through initiatives like the Beta Men Conference and helped found the Nebraska Cultural Unity Conference, supporting young people and strengthening community ties. His business is not just a restaurant—it is a gathering place and a source of local pride.

Now, he faces deportation to Guatemala, a country he has not called home since childhood.

Carlos does not have legal permanent resident status, and court records show a past probation violation related to a driver’s license revocation. But his life story is far bigger than a single mistake. It is a story of hard work, responsibility, and deep community roots—the very values we claim to honor.

His family, including his sister, a civil rights attorney, is fighting for him. But they cannot do it alone.

Deporting Carlos would not just affect one man—it would impact his children, his employees, and an entire community that depends on him.

We call on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Department of Homeland Security, and immigration court officials to:

• Release Carlos Godinez from detention immediately
• Allow him to remain in Nebraska with his family while his case proceeds
• Consider his decades of residence, family ties, and community contributions
• Protect him from deportation and provide a fair opportunity to remain in the country he calls home

Nebraska is stronger because of people like Carlos. We should not be tearing families apart—we should be protecting them.

Sign this petition to stand with Carlos Godinez and demand justice, compassion, and common sense.