Updated: 8:31 PM Jan 5, 2012

Immigrant family facing deportation to Colombia

Elkhart, Ind.
Posted: 6:51 PM Jan 5, 2012
Reporter: Kevin Lewis

The city of Elkhart is rallying around an immigrant family facing deportation to their homeland of Colombia.

It's a story our reporting partners at the Elkhart Truth broke on Tuesday.

After immigrating from Columbia in 1999, the Paez family legally received social security cards, driver’s licenses and a home mortgage.

Armando, the family patriarch, works two watering jobs serving the lunch crowd at The Vine in downtown Elkhart before heading to Antonio's on nights and weekends. His wife Marta also works full time at a local factory.

The family has three children, Ana, Maria and Juan. If deported, Ana, a senior in college, would never receive her diploma come May. Maria would not finish her freshman year at I-U South Bend and Juan would never experience high school.

In the two days since their story made front page news, the Paez family has received 500 letters of support from community members.

"A lot of people don't even want to go to school and take the opportunity to get an education, but we want to get an education. We want to get educated, get a job in life and do life the right way. We don't get in trouble. It's just frustrating; it's just really frustrating,” oldest daughter Ana said.

"They’re examples, they're role models, they're inspirations. I’ve used them as examples to my own kids even,” Antonio’s owner Paul Cataldo said.

Looking ahead, the Paez family is working with a Chicago immigration attorney as their March 22 hearing approaches. That day will set their fate. If they win they will stay in Elkhart. If they loose they'll be taken into custody and deported immediately.

"If the worst thing was to happen and they were to leave, I know that in their heart they would know that they did everything by the book, by the rules. You can kick them out of the country, but you can't take that dignity from Armando,” Cataldo concluded.

For more of an in-depth look at the plight facing the Paez family, read the Elkhart Truth’s article via the link below.

http://www.wndu.com/hometop/headlines/136775703.html