Sign his petition here.

Julio was brought to the United States when he was only 6 years old in 1994.  His mother was fleeing domestic abuse and sought protection for herself and her two young children and therefore was eligible to secure Visas for the family.  The violence they suffered from Julio’s father left emotional scars on the whole family.  With counseling Julio has healed from his harmful past.  He graduated from Hamilton High School in 2005 where he enrolled in the Engineering Design program and was part of a national program called Skills USA VICA Chapter.  Thanks to his talents, his team placed first in the state of Ohio and was qualified for nationals.  Now 24, he considers this country his only home.  Despite having lived in Ohio for 18 years, he is fighting his deportation to a country he no longer remembers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsBWocIoHn4

In 2008, while on a work related trip in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Julio’s car broke down on the side of the highway.  The county sheriff approached Julio and in lieu of offering help, actually arrested him because he did not have legal documentation.  Julio, despite the fact that he had committed no crime, spent three days in jail until Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents picked him up and took him to Columbus, Ohio for processing.  He has been fighting his removal proceedings since.

Given the current state of violence in many parts of Mexico as well as Julio’s lack of familiarity with the country, this would certainly put his life in jeopardy as well as that of his family members here in Ohio that rely on his income (including his two younger US citizen siblings).

Unable to serve as both a provider and student Julio was forced to halt his undergraduate studies at Miami University: as an undocumented immigrant Julio must pay out-of state tuition rates despite his residency in Ohio.  His dream is to continue his education one day and become a Civil Engineer. Julio also serves as a mentor to members of his younger brother’s football team who are shocked and heartbroken at the fact that he could be deported.

At 24, Julio is a young entrepreneur.  In 2009, he started his own small construction company (L & J interiors) that he continues to manage to this day.  Julio has the passion to succeed in this country.  If given the opportunity, Julio will continue to work until he achieves his dreams and becomes a successful contributor to the United States.  Julio’s dreams will not become a reality if he is deported back to Mexico, a country he no longer calls his home.

Julio would qualify for the DREAM Act, a narrowly tailored bill that majorities in both the House and the Senate voted to support in December of 2010.  Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and President Obama have both stated that deporting DREAM-eligible youth is not a priority.  Furthermore, according to the factors set forth in the Prosecutorial Discretion Memo issued by ICE Director Morton, Julio is not a priority for removal by DHS and merits a favorable exercise of discretion, given that he never committed a crime.  We ask that you immediately take action to stop Julio’s deportation so he can continue his growth as a contributor to our society.

Please Sign his petition here.

Marco Saavedra serves as an Immigration Organizer for Cincinnati Faith & Justice. If you belong to organization who wants to lend support to our campaign please email him at marco45220@gmail.com. Also view Julio’s video here & join his facebook group for updates.