Thread: Union City illegal alien no longer facing imminent deport

Union City illegal immigrant no longer facing imminent deportation: attorney

Published: Wednesday, December 14, 2011, 6:11 PM
Updated: Wednesday, December 14, 2011, 6:33 PM
By Terrence T. McDonald/The Jersey Journal

The Union City man who faces deportation after entering the country illegally nearly 30 years ago is getting a reprieve for at least a few weeks, according to the attorney now handling his case.

Elise Steglich, who works for Quaker lgroup American Friends Service Committee, said Jose Pereira, 51, no longer faces a threat of imminent deportation.


American Friends Service Committee is a nonprofit that provides legal aid and advocacy for families facing deportation.


Steglich said she now has “at least a few weeks” to convince Immigration and Customs Enforcement to reopen his case.

Pereira was arrested by ICE officials on Dec. 1 at the Secaucus warehouse where he works, and an ICE spokesman said a judge had issued an order of deportation.

Pereira’s wife, Carmen, concedes her husband entered the country illegally from his native El Salvador nearly 30 years ago, but notes that she and all three of their children are native citizens. The couple have been married for over 20 years.


The Jersey Journal published a story about the family’s struggle on Tuesday. Steglich connected with the Pereira family after a Jersey Journal reporter began making inquiries about Jose Pereira’s case.

Steglich said the best she’s hoping for is for Jose Pereira to be released “under an order of supervision” so that he can help support his family while perhaps wearing an ankle-bracelet. Carmen Pereira and the couple’s 10-year-old son have medical issues that need attention, she said.

“His release would really be able to alleviate their suffering,” Steglich said.

Carmen Pereira sounded hopeful today, and said she sent letters from family members and friends vouching for her husband. Barbara Hoffmann, a longtime family friend, said Jose Pereira is a “very good man.”

“I’m really devastated,” she said. “To pick on a man who’s never been in any trouble with the law … they should pick on people who are trouble.”

http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2...migrant_n.html