Story Of CT Father Given 28 Days To Leave His Family, Country Behind Draws Mixed Reactions

NEW FAIRFIELD, CT — The story of Joel Colindrés and his family's fight to help him remain at home in the United States has been spreading across the state like wildfire. According to the Save Joel Colindrés Facebook page, he and his wife, Samantha, have been appearing in a number of different media outlets and speaking with a wide variety of people in an effort to make Colindrés' story heard.

"Keep spreading our word to fight for what's right," a post made Friday reads, "and that's Joel!"

The family said Colindrés came to the United States 13 years ago from Guatemala through Texas via a legal provisional waiver and spent years going through the necessary steps to become a citizen. He was issued a removal order in 2004 after ICE officials spelled his name wrong on a document and never received an important letter informing him of a crucial court date as a result.

In a response sent to Patch about the case Tuesday, ICE issued the following statement:

"Joel [Colindrés], an illegally present citizen of Guatemala, was issued a final order of removal by a federal immigration judge in 2004. Since then he has sought relief from removal via several court actions and has been denied each. On July 20, during a routine check-in, ICE chose not to take [Colindrés] into custody and instead placed him in a GPS monitoring program. He was instructed to report back to ICE with an itinerary as proof he intends to comply with his removal order."

The page also began sharing a graphic Thursday morning that urged supporters to donate to the family's GoFundMe page in an effort to assist the couple. Samantha Colindrés said the page was set up by a friend to cover legal fees and other related financial burdens.

As of Friday afternoon, the page has raised $8,138 of its $25,000 goal.

"Please consider donating to my wonderful friend Samantha," the GoFundMe page reads, "to help ease the financial burden of legal fees in the coming weeks and months as they fight to keep her husband, Joel in [Connecticut]. Please help them prepare for the worst and [fight] for the best outcome."

The page, which GoFundMe indicates was set up by Nicole Martin of Bethel, also said the couple has been strong in telling their story to create awareness and inspire change in the administration, and are always the first to offer their help to others.

"Joel and Samantha are good people who are in love, have children, own a home and pay taxes," the page reads. "They could never ask for help so I am here to do it for them."

The couple's story garnered mixed reactions from Patch readers since its publication Wednesday, many of whom felt Colindrés should be allowed to stay with his family in America. Others found themselves hesitant to agree.

"I agree [that] being here illegally is a violation of our law, but this guy wasn't illegal, at least not by his own hand," user markruck commented. "ICE messed up and, as a result, Colindrés failed to receive important information that would have helped him remain legal and likely become a citizen."

Many readers shared this sentiment, remarking how Colindrés should not have to suffer solely because of a clerical error, especially with a lot of equity here in America. A number of people also reacted angrily to the Colindrés family's story and said he should just leave the country.

Still, many readers also found Colindrés to be an illegal citizen of the country regardless of his arriving on a provisional waiver, and punishable as such. Man also found that though a mistake may have been made on the part of the government, it is still the responsibility of the individual.

"This guy was basically issued his Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver under a false name (perhaps a typo by ICE)," Patch user Justice For All commented. "Regardless however, it was his incumbent responsibility to notify ICE of the spelling error."

Yet those looking for support for Colindrés can refer back to the GoFundMe page, where 162 people have donated to #SaveJoelColindres.

"I hope our CT congresspeople and this campaign can help you," Jennifer Stranzl wrote along with her contribution. "You are loved and supported by all those who want a different America. We support you."

Image via Samantha Colindrés