Immigration and Customs Enforcement has denied a stay request for a father facing deportation to his native Ecuador, according to an immigration advocacy group.
Nelson Pinos sought sanctuary at a New Haven church to avoid deportation to his native Ecuador nearly a year ago.
Last month Pinos’ attorney submitted an appeal for a stay of deportation – citing the psychological harm this ordeal is causing his children. However, according to a press release from CT Shoreline Indivisible, ICE has denied that request.
Supporters had been hoping Pinos would be granted a stay ahead of the holidays so he could spend them with his partner and three children. Supporters said the stay was requested because the family's separation has caused "urgent and documented" psychological harm to his two teenage daughters and 6-year-old son.
Pinos came to the US in 1992 for a better life and has lived in Connecticut for nearly 20 years.
Supporters say he’s been paying taxes with a social security number issued to him by the government more than 20 years ago.
ICE says Pinos continues to evade immigration enforcement by staying at the church, which is considered a sensitive location and a place the agency will not enter to enforce deportation. The agency says while Pinos has a legal appeal pending in court, there is no change in his status as of this point.
