A young father of two may never see his family again because of a minor traffic violation.
Jose Luis Lugo Zarco was arrested in 2012 for driving without a license. Today, he has a hearing in Federal Immigration Court all due to driving without a license in 2012. His family is afraid that he won’t come back from his hearing.
“These deportations appear to be targeting everyday neighbors, parents, workers, members of our communities,” said Lana Heath de Martinez, Welcoming All Coordinator for the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy. “Like so many others caught up in the deportation dragnet, Jose is not a criminal or a threat to anyone. His absence would be a much greater burden on Virginia than his contributions while he is present.”
Zarco came to the United States in 2002 in search of better opportunities for his future. He and his wife have two U.S. Citizen children, the youngest only 8 months old. Virginia is their home.
If Zarco is deported, he will leave behind his family, his livelihood and return to a country that he hasn’t been in for 15 years. Yesterday, Gov. McAuliffe pardoned a woman from El-Salvador who was convicted of a minor traffic violation and was in risk of deportation.
We ask that Gov. McAuliffe do the same he did for Liliana Mendez and protect Jose Zarco’s family from being torn apart. Today, we are rallying at the Arlington Immigration Court during his hearing to make sure he can go home to his family today.
UPDATE: Mr. Zarco has been granted a continuance through October to seek new legal representation. We continue to be in solidarity with Jose Luis and his family.