Stop the Separation of the Ortiz Family

Raul Ortiz-Garcia has worked in Waco, TX for 15 years, paid taxes, and contributed to the community. Raul faces deportation on January 9th and separation from his 19-year-old son, Luis Raul Ortiz-Flores.

In this holiday season, will you help us keep a devoted father and son together, urging DHS to stop the deportation of Jose Raul Ortiz-Garcia?

Luis dreams of going to college, earning a degree in automotive engineering, and eventually being able to own his personal car shop. Luis was arrested for street racing on November 19, 2010. He was held in McLennan County Detention Facility for two days and then transferred to ICE office in Waco. Because Luis was a minor, he was told to call a parent to pick him up when he was released.

On November 21, when Luis’s dad, Raul, arrived, he was handcuffed and questioned by ICE officers. Luis was then placed inside a cell where he watched the officers threaten and intimidate his dad.

Father and son were then held for six hours, placed side-to-side but in separate cells, given nothing but cookies and Jello for lunch. After giving all of their information to the ICE officers, they were finally released but placed in removal proceedings.

In January 9, 2012 they have a court hearing where Raul will be asked to leave the country. His son Luis applied for deferred action in September and is still awaiting his approval letter. But being protected from deportation won’t mean anything to Luis if he’s separated from his dad.

Will you help us make sure this family can stay together this holiday season?