SEND THE CSer HOME

Charbel Chehoud was working undercover with a New Jersey police detective -- something he’d done frequently since he came forward six years ago to help solve a high-profile murder -- when his car broke down. Because of his car troubles, Charbel, an undocumented immigrant, missed a court date to discuss his application for political asylum with a judge. 

That one missed meeting was all it took for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain Charbel. Despite pleas from police and prosecutors whom Charbel has helped while working undercover, ICE refuses to free him. Now Charbel is scheduled to be deported as soon as Wednesday.

Veronica Garcia is Charbel’s fiancée, and a U.S. citizen. She started a petition on Change.org asking ICE to release Charbel and stop deportation proceedings against her husband-to-be. Please add your name to her petition now before ICE tries to deport Charbel this week.

Charbel fled violence and religious persecution in his homeland of Lebanon more than three decades ago. His brother was mysteriously killed in Lebanon just months ago, and Charbel fears for his life if he’s sent back to that country.

For Veronica, ICE’s determination to deport her fiancée is frustrating and confusing. New Jersey law enforcement officials had praised Charbel for bravely coming forward to solve a murder case whose trail had gone cold. After that case, Charbel -- who has no criminal record himself -- went undercover to help police with other investigations.

Despite his service to his community, there’s just days left before Charbel is deported to a place where his own life could be in danger.

More than 20 deportations have been stopped by Change.org members last year alone. While ICE is relentless in pursuing deportations, a loud public outcry can make a difference and keep families together.