After 30 years of living in the United States, of raising a family, of working multiple jobs and paying taxes with the work permit issued to him by the U.S. government, Nevada dad David Chavez-Macias was deported to Mexico last Friday, despite having a serious health issue and no criminal record. "We talked Sunday, we are all upset,” said Ariana, one of his four kids and a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient, adding that he was depressed and worried about how he would resume his medical care:
On Monday, U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez-Masto, D-Nev., said she would not let Chavez-Macias' story be ignored.
"President Trump continued his assault on communities in Nevada by forcing a father from his kids, a husband from his wife, and a hard working man from his community," Cortez Masto said in a statement.
"David Chavez-Macias lived in our community for over 30 years and built a life in Nevada that is embraced and supported in our community."
Chavez-Macias’s advocates and doctor pleaded with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to allow the dad to stay here, where he would continue to undergo surgery and take medications for Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder that has no cure but can be treated. "If he gets moved or deported to a different country,” Dr. Jason Crawford said, “then I can't pick up the phone and talk to a doctor there, because I don't know who that would be nor where will he be.” But ICE not only ignored their pleas, but Sen. Cortez Masto’s as well:
Cortez Masto said she tried repeatedly to prevent the deportation but the Department of Homeland Security refused to keep Chavez-Macias with his family where he can receive needed medical support.
"David's deportation is a loss for the Reno community," the senator said.
And for his family. They warned ICE Chavez-Macias’s deportation could be a death sentence; ICE deported Chavez-Macias with a suitcase containing two months’ worth of his daily medications. Yet another decent American-in-waiting, torn from his home as this administration continues to peddle the lie that immigrants are dangerous. What’s truly dangerous is what this administration, hellbent on an ethnic cleansing campaign, is doing to us. “Deporting drug dealers and criminals, and this is a perfect example of how big a lie that really is,” said supporter Allan Ferrenberg. “This is just pitiful to see this.”