HARTFORD – A New Fairfield father slated be deported to Guatemala today after losing the fight to stay in this country has received a temporary stay which will allow him to stay in the country
Joel Colindres, 33, came to the United States in 2004 through a legal provisional waiver. He got married to his wife, Samantha Colindres, in 2010. The two of them now live in New Fairfield with their 6-year-old son and 2-year-old daughter.
His family was at the airport preparing for departure when Sen. Richard Blumenthal’s office announced that the United States Second District Circuit Court of Appeals has issued a temporary stay of deportation.
“Reason and justice have prevailed, at least temporarily, enabling Joel Colindres to stay with his family and pursue a fair hearing. I am pleased that the United States Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld the law and accorded Mr. Colindres the time and opportunity to vindicate his rights. I will continue to stand with the family—who would be ripped apart by this cruel and arbitrary deportation,” Blumenthal said.
Sen. Chris Murphy said in a statement, “I’m relieved for Joel, his wife Samantha, and their two little kids. My office has been in close contact with the Colindres family and their attorney, and we’re going to keep working with ICE to make sure Joel can stay here at home in Connecticut,” said Murphy. “The Trump administration has been targeting families like the Colindres, and it’s an abomination. President Trump must put an end to these costly, mean-spirited policies.”
“He’s the best father, he’s patient, he’s kind, he’s giving, he’s the most amazing man who inspires me daily with his faith my life wouldn’t be what it is without him,” Samantha said. She explained her husband was granted a stay last year, but in just the last few months he received little info from the immigration offices about his case.
“We went for May 25 for our check in hopes to hear the stay would be renewed, we were told to come back in two weeks they did not have the file,” she said. Samantha went on to say that when they returned two weeks later they were told again to come back.
It was on July 20 when they returned yet again and were issued a letter stating Joel must leave the country and return to Guatemala by August 17th. Samantha said this notice came despite their years of efforts to get him citizenship.
The ‘Save Joel Colindres’ Facebook page posted Wednesday evening that they had “exhausted all legal routes in this battle and Joel must deport the country tomorrow.”
The Facebook post states that not all hope is lost because Colindres still has a pending motion that, if approved, could bring him back. At the bare minimum though he will be away for 8 months if not more.
They also mentioned in the post that the reason he is not seeking sanctuary in a church is because it could drastically impair his path to citizenship down the road. Disobeying the court order could make Colindres a criminal fugitive and hurt all efforts they have already put forth.
