After spending three months in jail facing deportation, Ivan Nikolov was released. He’s currently safe at home with his fiancée and stepdad – thanks to your help. Together, we sent nearly 15,000 faxes to the Department of Homeland Security and ICE, and another 2,800 faxes to Ivan's Congressional representatives in Michigan, sharing his story and urging his release. Our persistence paid off.
Now another young man – Selvin Arevalo – needs our help. Selvin came to the United States from Guatemala when he was just 14 years old. His dream was to work hard to support his mother, who needed open-heart surgery, his two brothers and his sister. Selvin paints houses during the day and takes classes at night to pass his GED. Though he's incredibly active in his church and local community in Maine, the 24-year-old could be deported any day now.
Earlier today, immigrant advocates convened a call, asking Maine Senators to intervene and stop Selvin's deportation. Following is what Isai Galvez, youth leader of Iglesia Pentecostal El Sinai and Selvin’s best friend, had to say Selvin’s contributions to Portland and his battle with deportation:
Selvin’s dream has always been to get his high school diploma and attend college but when he was detained, his hope of becoming an American citizen, graduating college and starting his own business was put in jeopardy...I’m asking Senators Collins and Snowe, on behalf of the greater Portland community, to come to his defense and intervene on his behalf. Selvin is a living example of why we desperately need the DREAM Act in order to protect the future leaders of our nation.
We've seen how successful these campaigns can be. We helped save Ivan Nikolov in Michigan and Marlen Moreno in Arizona. Now Selvin Arevalo needs our help.
Please send a fax now to stop Selvin's deportation!
Maine Senators Snowe and Collins have the power to help Selvin remain with his church and his community. According to Marc Mutty, Director of Public Affairs for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, ME:
I urge our Senators to consider the overall nature of Selvin’s character, selfless actions while in the United States, and commitment to his community. Selvin’s story calls for our understanding and assistance, proving once and for all why we need immigration reform that offers immigrants who come to the US in search of a better life a path to citizenship.
Ask Senators Snowe and Collins to stop Selvin's deportation and help pass the DREAM Act, so that young people like Selvin can give back fully to their communities.
Cross-Posted at America's Voice.