Governor Pleads For Stay of Deportation For Farmington Couple

FARMINGTON, CT — A Farmington couple in danger of being deported to China received some support from Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy, who sent an appeal to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen.

In his letter requesting that her agency stay the planned deportation of Zhe Long ‘Tony’ Huang and Xiang ‘Kris’ Li to China, Malloy wrote, “Tony and Kris emigrated from China in search of freedom and a better life for their children. These two children, five and fifteen years old, know no other home than the United States, and have a loving mother and father to provide for them. Deporting them would send these two youths into foster care, and tear their family apart.”

The couple has resided in the United States for two decades, and their children are both American citizens.

“President Trump has stated that your Department prioritizes deporting ‘the worst of the worst,’ gang members, drug dealers, and violent criminals,” Malloy continued. “This does not describe or characterize Tony and Kris. Surely we can agree that this family should not be torn asunder and that Tony and Kris deserve a stay of deportation, and a chance at continuing to contribute to our great nation. They have the support of their neighbors, their community, their local, state and congressional elected officials, and now—they need your support. Especially with the U.S. Congress poised to consider immigration legislation, I urge you to use your discretion to ensure that this family remain in the place they call their home.”

Photo credit: Tim Jensen