To whom it may concern,         

I would like to sincerely thank you for taking the time to read this petition. My primary objective is to garner support and advocacy from the community. My hope is that this petition would also draw the attention of the governor of Michigan, because I am fighting for change as it relates to my situation and the reason why I am currently incarcerated.

         In 2013, I was 17 years old and I was involved in an armed robbery in (Grand Rapids, MI). At that time in life I was a young immature child that could not really comprehend the consequences of my actions. I took responsibility, and pled guilty to my crime and was subsequently sentenced to 30 months to 30 years in the M.D.O.C (Michigan Department of Corrections) I was truly remorseful and ashamed because of the crime that I committed. Most of all, I was devastated that my action had caused so much harm to the victim, community, and my family who did not raise me to make such poor decisions. No words could possibly convey how sorry I am for my actions. MCL 791.234b states: A foreign national who has a order of deportation issued against him/her of their minimum non-life sentence may be deported back to their country. In 2015, when I was 19 years old I was handed over to the Department of Homeland Security for the purpose of enforcing a final order of deportation, due to the fact I am a Mexican national. 

          Based on the following reasons, I am humbly requesting support to commute my sentence and send me back to Mexico.

         I was born in Mexico and was brought to the United States when I was 6 months old. The United Sates has been the only home I have ever known. This was the place where I said my first words, learned to walk, learned how to drive a car. The birth place of my 5 younger siblings. The place I call home. Every memory I have ever had is related to being an American. Everyone I have ever known-at the time- lived in the United States. After being deported, I had no family or friends in Mexico. I did not know one person in the whole country, and to make matters worse my Spanish is not that good. Although I am Hispanic being in Mexico was a culture shock and quite frankly, a frightening experience to me.

         Upon being deported, I was released to a border town called Nuevo Laredo. As you can imagine, I was scared, lonely and felt abandoned in a foreign land. Most importantly, I had no where to go and basically living in the streets. Nuevo Laredo was infested with drug cartel members who were involved in a war with the Mexican military over territory. In total desperation and fear of my surroundings I made the decision to attempt to cross back over to the United States to reunite with my family. My goal was not to come back and commit any crime, but to come back to America and become a law biding citizen; the person I was raised to be. I wanted to return to the only country and community I have ever known. 

         Upon attempting to cross back into the United States I was immediately arrested for illegally crossing and was subsequently transferred back to the custody of M.D.O.C for a parole violation where I was ordered to serve my maximum sentence for 30 years! According to a law enacted by the Michigan Legislature on March 30, 2011(MCL 791.2344b), I must now serve the remaining of my sentence which is 30 years. This is a very harsh and punitive law. I do understand that in some circumstances there is need for such laws. However, this law should not serve as a arbitrary blanket order to send everyone who crosses back to the United States to serve out a maximum sentence without the ability to factor the circumstances which led to the decision to re-enter the United States. The only reason for attempting to return was because I was frighted and desperate, with no place to go and no one to turn for help I was in need. 

         Since I haven been incarcerated, my father was deported back to Mexico because he was unable to obtain his U.S citizenship. Upon my father's deportation my mother moved to Mexico to be with him. As a result of my parents returning to Mexico I now have a structure, support and resources to start a life in Mexico. I would no longer have a reason to cross back over to the untied states, with out the proper authorization. 

         I do not in any way want to minimize my actions, I fully understand what I have done and I am truly remorseful for the crime I committed. This is an experience that will hunt me for the rest of my life. I humbly request that with everything stated here you would offer support and plead with the Governor to grant me a commutation; especially considering the uncertain times that we are currently living in. If deported back to Mexico I will reunite with my parents and I would no longer be a burden on the M.D.O.C, and the State of Michigan. With 23 years left to serve for attempting to cross back, this would save millions of dollars to the state that so desperately needs it.

         Since being incarcerated, I have become a mature and responsible young man who has taken full responsibility of his actions and have became more self reflective in coming to understand why I committed the crime and how my actions have impacted everyone involved. In the reflective process I have learned to become a better understanding person. Based on my commitment to change I have taken full advantage of the programs offered by the M.D.O.C for self improvement. these are just some of the classes I have completed: 1. G.E.D(General Education Diploma) 2. house of healing( Emotional Literacy Program) 3. Advance House of healing(Emotional Literacy Program) 4. Stinking Thinking( A Cognitive behavioral approach to re-entry) 5. I- can Program classes: Anger Management, Decision Making Skills, Conflict Management, Employment Skills, Personal Accounablity. In the process of completing these courses I have also been accepted into the "Paws with cause" dog program. which is a non-profit organization that provides service dogs to the needy. As of this date I have successfully trained 7 dogs, and I am currently working on my 8th dog! I hope that this information conveys my desire to be deserving of such assistance which is why I am humbly requesting help in having my sentence commuted. Once again thank you for your time and consideration.