Twitter Updates

I regularly get updates from Bob Ekblad, who teaches several Regent classes off-site, in Skagit Valley, WA. His work amongst undocumented workers is cutting-edge and I’ve seen it in action first-hand. He sends out this appeal on behalf of a Mexican pastor who was residing in NW Washington until ICE (Immigration Customs Enforcement) picked him up – and he now faces deportation and the end of (a good) life as he’s known it for the past 15 yrs. His is a case merit-worthy of petition – keep reading and sign it. I did.

Bob Ekblad
Apr 6, 2010

A few months back my dear friend and prominent pastor of Mixteco-speaking immigrants from Oaxaca, Mexico who lives across the river from us was picked up the Internal Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and put into deportation proceedings.

Though he has lived in the US over 15 years, oversees a crew of field workers for a local berry grower, is married and has nine children and pastors his people tirelessly– there is no legal remedy available other than getting our congressional representative to submit a Private Bill to Congress or the Senate for his family to be granted legal permanent residency status.

We at Tierra Nueva are pursuing this option. We have created and are distributing a petition to Senator Maria Cantwell requesting that she submits a private bill for him and his nine children.

Tomorrow we are meeting with one of Senator Cantwell’s aids in their Seattle office. We are trying to get as many petition signers as possible before our 10am Wednesday meeting. Please help this dear family by signing as soon as possible. To sign please go to http://immigration.change.org/actions/view/private_bill_for_pastor_feliciano .

If you know of others who might be supportive, please forward this email. While Washington State resident signees are especially important, national and international support is also beneficial.

Please pray for our meeting tomorrow. Our immigration lawyer says there is a 5% chance that a Private Bill could be passed. But we at Tierra Nueva have seen God move in amazing ways to support and rescue many immigrants facing deportation, and feel called to stand with the Lopez family and their congregation at this time.

After our meeting with Senator Cantwell’s aid in Seattle, I continue on to Tacoma to speak on behalf of a Russian immigrant Andre Melnik at his deportation hearing at 1:00. I met Andre in Skagit County Jail two years ago, where he came to a deep faith in Jesus in our Bible studies. He feels called to be a pastor– but needs to be allowed to rejoin his wife and Russian Pentecostal immigrant community. Please pray for him and for me during this important hearing tomorrow.

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