— from Eleanor Hoague —
On January 29, a well-known member of our Orcas and Lopez communities was detained by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) following a routine marine safety stop. Jesus Coro (or “Chucho”, as he is known) was on his way to work on Trump Island (yes, there is a Trump Island in the San Juans) when the small boat taking him there was stopped by the US Coast Guard. There happened to be a CPB officer on board, and when Chucho was unable to demonstrate satisfactory evidence of US citizenship, he was detained by CBP and transferred to ICE’s Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma for further processing.
Chucho came to San Juan county 14 years ago as a young man. Since that time, he has become a pillar of both the Lopez and Orcas island communities. Jesus lives on Orcas with his wife Leslin and their four children. He has a robust business and an uncountable number of friends. He is a property owner, business owner, tax payer, father, husband, and deeply loved member of our community. I am but one of his many friends, and we count ourselves lucky. You may have seen him in one of the floats that he organizes for the 4th of July parade on Lopez, or coaching a kid’s soccer team on Orcas.
Last Friday, Chucho was released on bond and is with his family now. The success of his bond hearing was the result of good representation by his attorney, quick financial assistance provided by various people and by LIFT (Local Immigrant Family Treasury), and some outstanding letters attesting to what a fine individual he is and how important he is to the Orcas and Lopez communities. In specific, I want to thank Nick and Sara Jones, Andrew and Daniela Evers, Jane Albrecht, Mike Parnell, Bob Marvin, Francisco Sanchez, Mike Troutman, Judy Scott, Rick Hughes, and Jamie Stephens.
The next step is preparation for his deportation hearing. His attorney thinks that he has a good case for cancellation of deportation. If the judge grants cancellation of deportation, then Chucho becomes a permanent resident, and after 3 or 5 years he can become a US citizen. Oddly enough, now that he has been picked up and has gone through ICE processing he is provisionally ‘legal’ in the US. If ICE stops him again for any reason, Chucho can produce the papers that he was given upon leaving the detention center which show that he has been released on bond.
Another demonstration of how mixed up our immigration laws are is the fact that Chucho could not have made himself legal prior to this time. The “cancellation of deportation” is only available to those who have been picked up by ICE and put into deportation proceedings. Before he was picked up, there was no way for Chucho to have applied to become legal, not even with a permanent resident wife and four US citizen children. Frustrating, but true.
The financial obligations that Chucho has taken on are not for the faint of heart. Between lawyers’ fees and bonds, Chucho is looking at about $35K to straighten out this unfortunate situation. There will be more strategic fundraising in the future, and a bank account will be set up once the snow has melted. Thanks for any help you can give.
Where/how can we donate? Thanks for letting us know this happened.
What are they doing checking for citizenship on a routine safety check? Racial profiling?
Would they have asked ME, an older white- haired pale-skinned woman for proof of citizenship? I wouldn’t have had any with me either.
Until Chucho sets up the account, you can donate money at Islanders Bank in the name of the non-profit LIFT. Alternatively, you can write a check to LIFT and send it to LIFT PO Box 1324, Eastsound, WA 98245. LIFT was organized 2 years ago as a non-profit to help and educate immigrants and their families with their immigration questions. LIFT provides immigrants who live in the San Juan islands and who wish to have a one hour free interview with an immigration attorney. LIFT lent the money for Chucho’s $12K bond.
We will assume that any donation made to LIFT in the next few weeks is for Chucho and will transfer the money to him as soon as the separate account is set up. If the donation is sizeable, it is important that you contact me. I am LIFT’s chairperson.
Thank you for sharing this matter with our community and informing us of the process, outcomes and ways to support
I will donate 1000.00 just need 34 more
also would like to thank Eleanor for all of her efforts in this
How can I donate for his defense?
Why not get our congressional representatives to get to work and get the immigration laws simplified and corrected. It should be easy for a person to come here for work. It should be easy for a person to apply for permanent residence.
Our congressional representative are where we need to start!
Mike Troutman: you are such a great person. Thank you. This will mean a great deal to Chucho.
Jerry Allison: I am so pleased that you are asking about donating to this campaign.
Until Chucho sets up the account, you can donate money at Islanders Bank in the name of the non-profit LIFT. Alternatively, you can write a check to LIFT and send it to LIFT PO Box 1324, Eastsound, WA 98245. LIFT was organized 2 years ago as a non-profit to help and educate immigrants and their families with their immigration questions. LIFT provides immigrants who live in the San Juan islands and who wish to discuss their immigration situation, a one hour free interview with an immigration attorney. LIFT lent the money for Chucho’s $12K bond.
We will assume that any donation made to LIFT in the next few weeks is for Chucho and will transfer the money to him as soon as the separate account is set up. If the donation is sizeable, it is important that you contact me. I am LIFT’s chairperson.
Tom Owens: I totally agree with your sentiments. Unfortunately this is not going to happen in the near future. We DO need to make immigrating to the United States much easier.
In the meantime, we need to support those people who are our neighbors and part of our community, with or without papers.
Thanks.
“Caroline Buchanan
What are they doing checking for citizenship on a routine safety check? Racial profiling?
Caroline Buchanan
What are they doing checking for citizenship on a routine safety check? Racial profiling?
Would they have asked ME, an older white- haired pale-skinned woman for proof of citizenship? I wouldn’t have had any with me either. Would they have asked ME, an older white- haired pale-skinned woman for proof of citizenship? I wouldn’t have had any with me either.”
I’ve been on the water between islands for routine inspections in the county, and have been stopped several times. EVERY time they ask me for ID, AND citizenship….It’s their job. I’m a 45 yr old white male, and I don’t get offended that they ask. It’s what they are doing, protecting our borders. Even if the requirements of our legal immigration system are broken. that’s where we should direct our concerns, at the legislators, not the border patrol.
Good luck Chucho!
Caroline Buchanan: racial profiling is a legitimate tool for law enforcement, as shown by the fact that in this case they did find someone who was an illegal immigrant. What is bizarre is when in the name of political correctness the airlines search 90 year old women and infants when we all know that those are not the demographics involved in airline hijackings and bombings, and not the ones who should be searched.
And, on another aspect of this topic, I have little sympathy for those who cross the boarder illegally and then are upset when arrested. My parents waited two years in a miserable displaced persons camp before they legally gained admission to the U.S. I think you would be amazed at how many legal immigrants are opposed to amnesty for those who entered the country illegally, but have been cowed into silence. Countries have a right and obligation to limit immigration.