Pastor Juan is finally heading home today. This victory belongs entirely to the community that refused to stay silent when he was taken away. I am still processing the news but I am mostly just so deeply grateful for everyone who stood by his family.
September 20, 2017
Final supporters
Americans believe in the power of thriving families. We believe in caring for our children. We believe in opportunity. So when someone like Pastor Juan Gutierrez Palomino faces deportation, separated from his children and wife, it goes against all of the things we hold dear. For the past 5 years Pastor Juan has been attending regular ICE check-ins. In June, without warning or provocation, he was detained and transported to Farmville to await deportation.
Now Pastor Juan is being held captive while his wife and children - one in middle school, the other in the military - try to piece life together without their primary breadwinner and cornerstone of their family. Pastor Juan’s whole community is suffering. As a pastor he has provided support to friends and neighbors and members of their church.
We are calling on ICE/DHS to live into our shared American values and release Pastor Juan. There is no reason to detain a man who has checked in every time he was asked. Pastor Juan should have his day in court - and he shouldn’t be locked up while he’s waiting.
Release Pastor Juan and close his case.
Deporting pastors, fathers, husbands, community members serves no purpose other than amplifying fear and distrust in the community. This is a terror campaign to isolate our new American neighbors.
Updates
August 9, 2017
I have been spending my evenings reading through the stories you all share in the comments and they are heavy but deeply moving. The sheer number of people who care about this family continues to humble me. We are working quietly behind the scenes to get these names in front of the right people and I am just the messenger carrying your collective heart forward.
August 9, 2017
I am truly overwhelmed by the way so many of you have stepped up to help Pastor Juan. This momentum belongs entirely to your kindness and your refusal to look away from this family's struggle. It is humbling to see how much you care.
Reached 100 supporters
August 9, 2017
61 Comments
Trump campaigned on deporting people who were criminals, but this man is not. I am outraged by this man being detained when he is a contributing member of his community. We are all the better for having him here.
People whose faith is informed by the Bible hold the family as a sacred institution that no man has the right to "put asunder." This is a peaceful loving father and pastor who deserves the right to stay with his family.
From a Virginia school teacher: Please release Pastor Juan and close his case. It will do harm to his family, and to our society to deport him. It's counterproductive....will cause more problems than it solves. Let's have some common sense !
While I may agree with detaining and possible deportation of illegal criminals, I do not see the need to detain someone who is working with the system and doing those things required by ICE/DHS. Let him go home, be with his family, and continue his work.
We need all the pastors and we need to keep families together. Pastor Juan kept his promise, the govt broke its promise to him. Release Pastor Juan.
I thought we were deporting only "criminals.." If so, you have overlooked one in the White House.
Deportation is a human revenue stream for the rich. The laws must be changed to allow for life, compassion and human dignity. Free Juan.
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Pastor Juan is finally heading home today. This victory belongs entirely to the community that refused to stay silent when he was taken away. I am still processing the news but I am mostly just so deeply grateful for everyone who stood by his family.
September 20, 2017
Final supporters
Americans believe in the power of thriving families. We believe in caring for our children. We believe in opportunity. So when someone like Pastor Juan Gutierrez Palomino faces deportation, separated from his children and wife, it goes against all of the things we hold dear. For the past 5 years Pastor Juan has been attending regular ICE check-ins. In June, without warning or provocation, he was detained and transported to Farmville to await deportation.
Now Pastor Juan is being held captive while his wife and children - one in middle school, the other in the military - try to piece life together without their primary breadwinner and cornerstone of their family. Pastor Juan’s whole community is suffering. As a pastor he has provided support to friends and neighbors and members of their church.
We are calling on ICE/DHS to live into our shared American values and release Pastor Juan. There is no reason to detain a man who has checked in every time he was asked. Pastor Juan should have his day in court - and he shouldn’t be locked up while he’s waiting.
Release Pastor Juan and close his case.
Deporting pastors, fathers, husbands, community members serves no purpose other than amplifying fear and distrust in the community. This is a terror campaign to isolate our new American neighbors.
Updates
August 9, 2017
I have been spending my evenings reading through the stories you all share in the comments and they are heavy but deeply moving. The sheer number of people who care about this family continues to humble me. We are working quietly behind the scenes to get these names in front of the right people and I am just the messenger carrying your collective heart forward.
August 9, 2017
I am truly overwhelmed by the way so many of you have stepped up to help Pastor Juan. This momentum belongs entirely to your kindness and your refusal to look away from this family's struggle. It is humbling to see how much you care.
Reached 100 supporters
August 9, 2017
61 Comments
Please release Pastor Juan and let him return to his family and work. As Christians we are called to work for social justice. So I am calling on ICE officials to do what's moral, and release Pastor Juan and other immigrants who are being held unjustly. Thank you.
Trump campaigned on deporting people who were criminals, but this man is not. I am outraged by this man being detained when he is a contributing member of his community. We are all the better for having him here.
People whose faith is informed by the Bible hold the family as a sacred institution that no man has the right to "put asunder." This is a peaceful loving father and pastor who deserves the right to stay with his family.
From a Virginia school teacher: Please release Pastor Juan and close his case. It will do harm to his family, and to our society to deport him. It's counterproductive....will cause more problems than it solves. Let's have some common sense !
While I may agree with detaining and possible deportation of illegal criminals, I do not see the need to detain someone who is working with the system and doing those things required by ICE/DHS. Let him go home, be with his family, and continue his work.
We need all the pastors and we need to keep families together. Pastor Juan kept his promise, the govt broke its promise to him. Release Pastor Juan.
I thought we were deporting only "criminals.." If so, you have overlooked one in the White House.
Deportation is a human revenue stream for the rich. The laws must be changed to allow for life, compassion and human dignity. Free Juan.
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Please release Pastor Juan and let him return to his family and work. As Christians we are called to work for social justice. So I am calling on ICE officials to do what's moral, and release Pastor Juan and other immigrants who are being held unjustly. Thank you.