Father Facing Deportation Takes Sanctuary In New Haven Church

NEW HAVEN, CT - On the heels of a number of recent stories involving Connecticut men and women seeking to stay in the country after being issued a deportation order, a Meriden man has taken refuge in a New Haven church, according to media reports. His story has already garnered support from both members of the public and local government officials.

Marco Reyes of Meriden, a father of three who has been living in the Unites States for approximately 20 years, was set to be deported back to Ecuador on Tuesday, according to WTNH News 8. He had been hoping a last minute appeal would save him from having to leave his home, family and loved ones behind by granting him a stay of deportation. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

With his date to leave upon him, Reyes took up refuge this week in the First and Summerfield United Methodist Church, according to News 8. Reyes' case is similar to that of Norwalk mother Nury Chavarri, who made headlines last month for taking sanctuary in a New Haven Church and was granted a stay of deportation days later.

See also: Stay of Deportation Granted For Immigrant Woman Taking Sanctuary In Church

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The pastor of First and Summerfield, Juhye Hahn, said she got a text around 2 a.m. asking her to provide sanctuary for someone at 6 a.m., the New Haven Register reported. She also said she did not ask about the then-unknown person's immigration status, but instead felt compelled to welcome the stranger in need and provide hospitality.

While Reyes is staying at the church, his attorney is currently seeking a hearing where she will argue Reyes could be killed if he is sent back to Ecuador, according to the New Haven Register. Erin O'Neil Baker, who is also the attorney of Joel Colindrés of New Fairfield, is seeking a "credible fear" interview that must be accommodated by the government.

To his credit, Reyes has been checking in with ICE for a number of years and has lived with his family in Meriden since 1997, according to Fox 61. He has been checking in contently with ICE for a while, and was only given any type of indication he would need to leave last month when he was given his order.

Reyes was supposed to leave for Ecuador from John F. Kennedy Airport on Tuesday but never arrived, Fox 61 reported. Crowds recently gathered at the church to support Reyes, where Senator Richard Blumenthal (Democrat-Connecticut) and New Haven Mayor Toni Harp were among those in attendance.

Blumenthal said in a statement released Tuesday on Twitter that he firmly believed in fair and effective enforcement of all state laws, however it must still reflect humane and compassionate values. Chief among these, he believes, is that of the unbreakable bond between a parent and child.

"I am outraged and heartbroken by the arbitrary and callous decision to deport Marco Reyes," Blumenthal said in a statement. "His plight today is a symptom of [President] Trump's cruel and inhumane immigration policies that lack all sense of reason and rationality."

Blumenthal also said Reyes was a hardworking father and husband who has lived in Connecticut for two decades without any kind of criminal activity. He also said Reyes faces serious threat to hi life is he is deported back to Ecuador.

"I will continue to explore all opportunities to assist Marco and his family," Blumenthal said. "I remain committed to comprehensive immigration reform to provide lasting and significant change to this badly broken system."

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