To: Ricardo Wong
Field Office Director
Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Ricardo.a.wong@ ice.dhs.gov
Cc: Sylvia Bonaccorsi-Mano
Public Advocate
Enforcement and Removal Operations
Re: Jose Juan Federico Moreno Anguiano [A#077-796-557]
Support for Request of Favorable Exercise of Prosecutorial Discretion
(DATE)
Dear Director Wong,
As members of [CONGREGATION or BODY], religious leaders, members of the faith community, and friends of University Church, we the undersigned write in support of our neighbor and brother in faith Mr. Jose Juan Moreno who has requested favorable use of prosecutorial discretion in his case. We write in full support of that request, and urge you to exercise discretion to stop his deportation so that he can stay with his family.
[ADD A LINE ABOUT YOUR CONGREGATION - Where it is, how long it has existed, how many members does it have, why are you committed to immigration. It could be any of these, and few sentences will do]
We know Mr. Moreno as a caring husband, the loving father of 5 US citizen children, ages 2-14, and as a valuable leader and member of the faith and immigrant communities. Although Mr. Moreno was born in Mexico, he has resided in the state of Illinois for more than 16 years—nearly half his life. For Mr. Moreno, his wife and their children who have never lived elsewhere, Illinois is home.
We are aware that in 2009, Mr. Moreno drove home from work after drinking and was charged with an “aggravated”Driving Under the Influence (DUI) charge. Although no one was hurt and no property was damaged, because there were no driver’s licenses in Illinois for undocumented immigrants at the time and Illinois law unfairly punishes drivers that do not have a license, the police charged him with an “aggravated”DUI. Mr. Moreno made a mistake, but he has paid for the consequences; he has fulfilled all of the required fines and fees, completed driver’s safety classes, shown deep regret, and refrained from making the same mistake again.
Deporting Mr. Moreno would cause devastating and enduring emotional, as well as financial, consequences for his wife and children, three of whom have asthma and one who has a learning disability. His family is dependent on him, and would suffer extremely if he were to be deported. This suffering is completely unnecessary and avoidable.
Across our various traditions, faith calls us to “love the immigrant as ourselves”(Leviticus 19:34). It also teaches us that all of God’s children deserve second chances for “all of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God”(Romans 3:23). In commands us to exercise love, faith, and compassion with Mr. Moreno.
Mr. Moreno needs to be able to stay with his family for the well-being of his family. He poses no threat to the United States, and is a well-regarded and beloved member of our community. Tearing him apart from his family and community would only bring about pain and trauma. As people of faith, we urge you to intervene and to exercise discretion.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. If you should have any questions, please feel free to reach [NAME OF REPRESENTATIVE] at [CONTACT INFORMATION].
Sincerely,
[Name and Title]
[Congregation/Body]