MICAH Rallies to Stop Immigrant's Deportation to El Salvador

Frs Paco and Stankard, (St. Stephens) with Rev. Kathleen Hepler in Congressman Markey's office

April 08, 2010

For Immediate Release:

April 7, 2010 for more information: Contact Michael Jacoby Brown: 617 645 0226 Email: MBrown@micahma.org

MICAH Rallies to Support St. Stephens’s Church member

Over 45 members from MICAH (Metropolitan Interfaith Congregations Acting for Hope) met with an aide to Congressman Edward Markey (D-MA) at his Framingham office to try to stop the deportation of a young immigrant member of St. Stephens Church.  The young man, a passenger in a car stopped by the Framingham police for a traffic violation was asked for identification by the Framingham police officer, and was held for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement by the Framingham police who found he had an outstanding deportation order.  Fr. Albert Stankard and Fr. (Paco) Francisco J. Ansoategui , the priests at St. Stephens Catholic Church, Framingham, attended, as well as the Rev. Kathleen Hepler, of First Parish Framingham, (Unitarian-Universalist) , and members of Congregation Beth El, in Sudbury, another MICAH congregation.

                The young man, Gerber Antonio Rivas, an usher at Stephens Church, has lived and worked in Framingham for the past four years, doing painting and construction work.

                Father Albert Stankard, pastor at St. Stephens, said, “Mr. Rivas is a fine member of our church. He has been an active member of our parish for several years, helping in many ways.”

Father (Paco) Francisco J. Ansoategui, said, “We have no problem with the Immigration and police arresting criminals, but this is a law-abiding member of the community who only wants to work and take care of his family. “  He lives in Framingham with his parents and two younger sisters.

                Father Ansoategui explained the Markey’s aide, Maggie McClory, that he came to this country because he feared for his life after being severely beaten by a gang in El Salvador and fears now he will be beaten or killed if he were deported.  He was stopped in Texas four years when he was crossing the border and failed, on the advice of an attorney, to appear at a hearing, resulting in an immediate deportation order – in spite of the danger he would face if returned to El Salvador.

                Fr. Ansoategui explained,” We have to change the law, so only violent criminals are arrested, and so that good members of the community, who only want to work and build the community here can stay here and practice their faith.”

For more information about MICAH, call 617 645 0226

(See photo attached: credit OMCvideo.com, Osvaldo and Margarita Calderon)

http://www.omcvideo.com/OMC_OpenGallery/P_Herson_2010/