Thread: After feds appeal, immigrant to spend 3rd Christmas facing

After feds appeal, immigrant to spend 3rd Christmas facing deportation for stealing batteries and razors
But his daughter asks Santa Claus to bring him home for holiday

nydailynews.com
BY Erica Pearson
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Monday, December 5 2011, 6:00 AM



Little Isabelle asked Santa Claus to bring her father home. Orlando Fernandez Taveras with his then-baby daughter, Isabelle.


A judge says he should be free, but a Long Island dad will spend his third Christmas locked up in immigration detention while the feds play Scrooge.

Reformed drug addict Orlando Fernandez Taveras — who was legally brought to the United States as a baby — faces deportation for shoplifting a pack of batteries and two packs of razors in 2006 and 2007.

An immigration judge decided last month that the 35-year-old Seaport, L.I., man should get his green card back because he’s overcome his demons, turned around his life, and become a good husband and father.

The judge also ruled his wife Lisa Fernandez and 3-year-old daughter Isabelle would face extreme hardship if he’s sent back to the Dominican Republic since they have Hepatitis C and need antiviral treatment.

But the feds appealed that decision, so Fernandez Taveras is stuck in detention at Pennsylvania’s Clinton County Jail until the Board of Immigration Appeals hears his case.

Last week, little Isabelle sat on Santa’s lap at the Dutch Wonderland amusement in Pennsylvania — where she and her mom have moved to be closer to the jail — and revealed what she wants for Christmas.

“She said, ‘A bunny and a doll house.’ And then she said, ‘Can you send my daddy home?’â€

[quote]“I can see if it was serious crimes. But honestly, a pack of batteries and two packs of razors — that’s what they want to deport him over,â€

It really burns me how they constantly and shamelessly use children as shields. To top it off this guy was in trouble with the law before impregnating his wife.

Originally Posted by Ratbstard

It really burns me how they constantly and shamelessly use children as shields. To top it off this guy was in trouble with the law before impregnating his wife.

Guess anchor babies work for "Daddy" as well...