To: Charles Sault, ICE Public Advocate and Todd Thurlow, ICE New England
Don't Deport Our Dad Jerry Ssebugwawo! (A#073-676-752)
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Don't deport our dad, Jerry Ssebugwawo (A#073-676-752)! He is the loving father of three American-born children (6-year-old Israel, 4-year-old Zion, and 17-month-old Judah), an active member of his community (having devoted 14 years of volunteer service to the Jubilee Christian Church of Boston), and a hardworking caregiver for the elderly.
Why is this important?
Jerry Ssebugwawo (A#073-676-752) came to the U.S. 22 years ago as a young man looking to build a life free from the violence in his home country of Uganda. Since then, he has accomplished a lot: He worked nights to put himself through school and did so without taking out a single loan. After getting his degree, he started work as a caregiver, helping people’s final days be dignified and comfortable, and he still works there, now promoted to a Unit Manager. He has paid his taxes since 1992 and in 2003, bought a home with his wonderful wife, Lydia. He is the loving father of three American born children -- 6 year old Israel, 4 year old Zion, and 17 month old Judah. He has been an active member of his community, devoting 14 years of volunteer service to the Jubilee Christian Church of Boston.
“Having been here for 22 years, I have spent most of my life here. My family is here. This is where I feel like I belong.”
Jerry was detained January 5th, 2012 and held in detention for months before being released due to the tremendous community advocacy that set him free to reunite with his family. He is a survivor of detention: during his detention he witnessed and experienced the inhumane treatment of detainees in detention, everything from physical and mental brutality, transferred to detention center to detention center shackled by his hands and feet, allowed only 1 bottle of water during a 14 hour bus ride to a Southern detention center.
Unfortunately Jerry’s family is being threatened by separation again! Currently he is released with deportation proceedings still in progress. He has until July 31st, 2013 to put an end to these proceedings or he will be deported.
“Knowing that any minute they can pick me up and take me away from my family and my life here, I feel hopeless and powerless. I think all the time: “What can I do?” I was a model citizen. I stayed out of trouble and have always tried to do the right things. I paid taxes since 1992. But if I’m sent home, everything will be gone. Everything I’ve worked for here, I would lose. My whole life: gone.”
His deportation will not only negatively impact his community, but also devastate his family. Jerry is the primary earner in his household, working as a nurse to provide for his family. If Jerry does get deported, he would be eligible to come back to the United States under the family reunification plan in the immigration reform bill. Deporting him is a waste of taxpayer dollars. Furthermore, if he gets deported, the Ugandan government would imprison him for leaving without documentation, and Jerry would be unable to work and provide for his kids.
“If we are forced to go back to Uganda, we can’t take care of the kids. We can’t send money to them. There is nothing that we could do to take care of our kids. Who will take care of them?”
Jerry’s deportation will unjustly cause great financial hardship for his family, sever 21 years of community ties, cause the healthcare workforce to be down one hard-working employee, and leave three young children without a father. Deporting him will destabilize a family and community and leave only a trail of broken hearts.
As a community, we must advocate for Jerry and stand up to this unjust immigration system. Please sign and share widely. Jerry and his family need your support!
“Having been here for 22 years, I have spent most of my life here. My family is here. This is where I feel like I belong.”
Jerry was detained January 5th, 2012 and held in detention for months before being released due to the tremendous community advocacy that set him free to reunite with his family. He is a survivor of detention: during his detention he witnessed and experienced the inhumane treatment of detainees in detention, everything from physical and mental brutality, transferred to detention center to detention center shackled by his hands and feet, allowed only 1 bottle of water during a 14 hour bus ride to a Southern detention center.
Unfortunately Jerry’s family is being threatened by separation again! Currently he is released with deportation proceedings still in progress. He has until July 31st, 2013 to put an end to these proceedings or he will be deported.
“Knowing that any minute they can pick me up and take me away from my family and my life here, I feel hopeless and powerless. I think all the time: “What can I do?” I was a model citizen. I stayed out of trouble and have always tried to do the right things. I paid taxes since 1992. But if I’m sent home, everything will be gone. Everything I’ve worked for here, I would lose. My whole life: gone.”
His deportation will not only negatively impact his community, but also devastate his family. Jerry is the primary earner in his household, working as a nurse to provide for his family. If Jerry does get deported, he would be eligible to come back to the United States under the family reunification plan in the immigration reform bill. Deporting him is a waste of taxpayer dollars. Furthermore, if he gets deported, the Ugandan government would imprison him for leaving without documentation, and Jerry would be unable to work and provide for his kids.
“If we are forced to go back to Uganda, we can’t take care of the kids. We can’t send money to them. There is nothing that we could do to take care of our kids. Who will take care of them?”
Jerry’s deportation will unjustly cause great financial hardship for his family, sever 21 years of community ties, cause the healthcare workforce to be down one hard-working employee, and leave three young children without a father. Deporting him will destabilize a family and community and leave only a trail of broken hearts.
As a community, we must advocate for Jerry and stand up to this unjust immigration system. Please sign and share widely. Jerry and his family need your support!