To: Mr. Brian Acuna, Assistant Field Office Director, ICE - Enforcement and Removal Operations, Governor Asa Hutchinson, Rep. Steve Womack (AR-3), Sen. John Boozman (AR-1), and Sen. Tom Cotton (AR-2)
Support Arkansas Family Values: Don't Separate the Salazars
Mr. Leonel Salazar is a proud Arkansan, father of four American-born children (including a son in the National Guard), active community volunteer and a well-respected, local business owner in Rogers. Despite having a residency petition pending for 19 years, he received a letter from ICE this week calling on his deportation in July 2014. Please support Arkansas family values, and keep the Salazars together by asking ICE to stay Leonel's deportation and see through his residency petition so that the Salazars can continue to give back to the state and country they so proudly call home.
Why is this important?
Leonel Salazar has lived in the United States for the larger part of his life, and has proudly embodied the American values of hard work and strong family life. Born in Zacatecas, Mexico, Leonel and his family first traveled across the Mexican-U.S. border when he was just one year old. As their stay in America became permanent, Leonel's parents embraced the legal pathways to be able to stay in this country, and were able to achieve legal status for everyone in the family except Leonel, who has been renewing work permits and awaiting a residency petition that was started by his citizen mother in 1995.
Unfortunately, Leonel cannot wait any longer, receiving this week a letter ordering his voluntary removal in July 2014. Leonel resides in Rogers, Arkansas where he has contributed greatly to his community through his entrepreneurship, starting, in 2002, Leo’s Siding and Gutters, and through his strong volunteer spirit, giving countless hours and resources for over three years to local nonprofits organizations, such as Arkansas United Community Coalition and the Northwest Arkansas Workers Justice Center.
In addition Leonel and his wife, Beatriz, have 4 U.S. citizen children, ages 18, 14, 7 and 3. Currently, the eldest is at basic training for the U.S. National Guard. Another proud Arkansan, their son now fears that he will graduate from training on August 8th only to NOT have his father with him to celebrate this life milestone. Leonel is the sole breadwinner for his family, has earned his living in a fair and just way, and has given back to his community. Please stand behind Arkansas values by keeping Leonel home, with his family and community.
Unfortunately, Leonel cannot wait any longer, receiving this week a letter ordering his voluntary removal in July 2014. Leonel resides in Rogers, Arkansas where he has contributed greatly to his community through his entrepreneurship, starting, in 2002, Leo’s Siding and Gutters, and through his strong volunteer spirit, giving countless hours and resources for over three years to local nonprofits organizations, such as Arkansas United Community Coalition and the Northwest Arkansas Workers Justice Center.
In addition Leonel and his wife, Beatriz, have 4 U.S. citizen children, ages 18, 14, 7 and 3. Currently, the eldest is at basic training for the U.S. National Guard. Another proud Arkansan, their son now fears that he will graduate from training on August 8th only to NOT have his father with him to celebrate this life milestone. Leonel is the sole breadwinner for his family, has earned his living in a fair and just way, and has given back to his community. Please stand behind Arkansas values by keeping Leonel home, with his family and community.