Cheshire Mother Of 3 Set To Be Deported

CHESHIRE, CT — The community is rallying around a Cheshire family, the owners of a popular Italian restaurant in town, as the mother of three young children is set to be deported to Albania early next week. Denada Rondos manages finances at Viron Rondos Osteria restaurant, which is owned by her husband Viron Rondos, on Highland Avenue in Cheshire, according to WFSB 3. Denada Rondos, who was born in Albania, has lived in the United States since 2002.

Viron and Denada Rondos told WFSB 3 that it’s too dangerous for their children, ages 1, 5 and 7, to live in Albania, which is why she left in the first place. Denada Rondos admitted to WFSB 3 that she used an altered passport when she entered the United States. The passport had her photo on it, but contained someone else’s information.

Denada Rondos was ordered to return to Albania by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in 2007 but was granted a stay of removal every year since then, according to WTNH News 8. Everything changed on Sept. 13 when she was told that she had two months to leave the country. Denada’s attorney told WTNH that they are asking the Board of Immigration Appeals to reconsider and give her a hearing based on “new dangerous circumstances” in Albania.

U.S. Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty, a Democrat who represents Connecticut’s 5th District, is joining the fight to grant Denada Rondos asylum to stay in the country. Denada Rondos has been ordered to purchase a plane ticket to return to Albania on or before Nov. 13, according to Esty.

“Denada Rondos takes care of three children, a home, and the books for a family-owned restaurant,” Esty said in a statement released on Thursday night. “Her husband Viron works 12 hours a day to put food on the table for the family, not to mention establishing a small business and providing jobs for people in my hometown of Cheshire. There’s a reason why the Rondos family has received dozens of letters supporting their request to let Denada stay in this country: they work hard, they give back to their community, and they share the values we hold dear in Connecticut. We should be welcoming people like Denada into our country with open arms, not throwing them out to face an uncertain future in a dangerous region.

“There are four days left until Denada is forced to leave this country – four days. I cannot imagine the pain and uncertainty her family is feeling right now. My heart breaks at the thought of her children waking up each morning not knowing how long they’ll have with their mother. I want them to know this: Connecticut stands with you. We stand with you, we hear you, and we join you in calling for ICE to grant you a stay of removal so that you can make your case in court.”

The Rondos family is appreciative of the support they have received from the community.

“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to all of our family, friends, clients and colleagues who have expressed their concern and dismay over the present circumstances of my family,” according to a post on the Viron Rondo Osteria’s Facebook page. “Many of you have inquired on how to help us; as we navigate through the process we will be sure to update you. Please join us in continuing to pray over this situation. We appreciate hearing your voices, the voices of our wonderful and welcoming community.”