New Jersey Immigrant Grandpa Gets Deportation Stay, But There May Be A Catch

UNION CITY, NJ — The undocumented immigrant grandfather known to the New Jersey community as “Abuelito” has received a one-year stay of removal after facing deportation from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials in Newark, his supporters say.

Catalino Guerrero, a “law-abiding grandfather” and undocumented immigrant who lives in Union City, has been granted a one-year stay of removal by ICE officials, which will allow him to continue to live in the United States, representatives with grassroots advocacy group PICO National Network announced Tuesday.

Guerrero reportedly left Puebla, Mexico in 1991 in pursuit of economic opportunity and an escape from a crime-ridden area, and has faced possible deportation in spite of seeking to legally become a citizen for more than a decade, his supporters stated.

• See related article: N.J. Immigrant And Grandpa Threatened With Deportation

There’s just one catch to his new stay of removal, Guerrero’s supporters say: ICE officials want his wife, Margarita, to accompany him to his next visit to their Newark office.

“While we celebrate Catalino’s stay of removal, ICE’s sudden attention on his wife is deeply troubling,” said Richard Morales, immigration policy director at PICO National Network. “He desperately wants to remain in Union City with his family. We stand with both Catalino and Margarita, and will work to make sure they are able to stay in this country – together.”

• See related article: This Lawyer Used To Deport Immigrants; Now She Defends Them

Guerrero has sought a pathway to citizenship for more than a decade, but has faced one obstacle after another after his former attorney “bungled the paperwork,” PICO spokespeople allege.

When he tried to obtain a work permit, he was misled into applying for asylum. It wasn’t until eight years later – after annually renewing his work permit and paying his taxes – he was put into deportation proceedings, PICO spokespeople stated.

ICE issued an order of deportation against Guerrero in 2004 after his application for a work permit was denied, NJ.com reported.

Guerrero has no more connections in Mexico; all his relatives have died or are in the U.S., according to the Latin Post.

His supporters have managed to delay the deportation order for more than a decade. But following Trump’s inauguration, Guerrero was facing a looming date of March 10 to return to the ICE office in Newark and surrender his passport, PICO spokespeople said.

Several North Jersey religious and community leaders have since spoken out in favor of Guerrero’s pleas to remain in the United States with the family that he loves.

• See related article: Newark Rally Aims To Stop N.J. Immigrant’s Deportation

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Photo: Heather Wilson, PICO National Network