Family and friends of Alex Garcia gathered last night in an empty storefront next to Buffalo Wild Wings where, for the first time in nearly five months, they were able to see and speak with him. The 36-year-old is an illegal immigrant who has been living in sanctuary at a St. Louis church while his lawyer works to keep him in America with his wife, Carly, and five young children.
Through the screen of a laptop computer, words of support and hope were offered by many members of the Poplar Bluff community.
"This is tough because I cannot be with my family every day," Alex said. "I'm still seeing them (his wife and children only) every week, but it's not the same."
Alex has remained on the church's property since Sept. 21 to decrease his risk of coming into contact with immigration officials. He has been in the United States for 13 years, but in August, after two prior approvals, his third request for a stay of removal was denied and he was scheduled to be deported at the end of the month.
His lawyer, Nicole Cortez, applied for an extension, which was granted, and gave Alex one additional month with his family. But when the time came, instead of turning himself in to immigration officials, he instead sought refuge at the Christ United Church of Christ in Maplewood, Mo.
Cortez, who is a founder of the Migrant Immigrant Community Action Project, a non-profit law firm in St. Louis, said when she met Alex and Carly several years ago, they wanted to "do the right thing." Cortez said she had "the unfortunate task" of telling them there were no options.
"Our laws are really, really restrictive," Cortez said. "There was no way for him to get his papers... Our laws don't provide a way for people to just get right (with the system). Or to pay a fine or a fee or to fill out some sort of form."
Cortez said at this point, all she and the family are able to do is "beg the immigration officials to use their discretion, to have a heart and to see Alex as a person and a human and a dad and a neighbor and a coworker to all of ya'll and to take mercy on him and his case and allow him to stay here as they did two separate times within a yearly filing, for two years in a row."
Randy Sticker, who owns Pack's Do-It Center, said he knows Alex through his industry and described him as a hard worker. He said he attended last night's event to support someone he considers an asset to Poplar Bluff.
"They're a family that we need in our community. They're contributors," Stricker said.
John Polasek, who owns Little Caears, said he moved to Poplar Bluff from Detroit three years ago. He said Alex was one of the first people he and his family met upon their arrival.
"All I've ever seen of Alex is nothing but good, positive family values," Polasek said. "Far more than a lot of people in our world today who are citizens and don't know what the rest of the world is like."
Polasek said the situation is very sad and that he feels Alex was "an easy target" because "I believe he was doing everything as right as he can."
"I understand the politics," Polasek said. "But, he's not a hardened criminal at all. He's an asset instead of a hindrance."
Zahida Haq said she doesn't know the Garcias, but read their story in Sunday's edition of the Daily American Republic. She said as she herself is an immigrant, she found Alex and Carly's story "devastating."
"When I read the paper, I was heartbroken and devastated," Haq said. "He was 19 when he came and got deported. He came again, got married. He was loyal. He's raising his kids. He should have a chance to be here."
Haq said she came to America legally, but understands that situations in other countries can lead people to make alternate choices. She said removing a father from the home could be detrimental to the family.
"If he is sent back and his family wants to join him, the children would have an incredibly difficult time adjusting there," Haq said. "If they send the father away, and the mother and the kids are here, do you think they are going to have the same love for the USA? No. They're going to lose their faith and trust in their country."
Nasira Choudhary attended the event with Haq and said Alex's role as a father should be taken strongly into account.
"A mother and father are both a pillar and upon them, a family is built," Choudhary said. "If you take away a pillar, the building is falling apart. These kids, without a father, who is guiding them? Carly alone cannot do it."
Sara John, of the St. Louis Inter-Faith Committee on Latin America, said situations like Alex's are part of a national movement "where laws are not honoring families and protecting communities."
"We are standing with Alex and with families until the laws get it right," John said.
John said letters from Alex's friends and family will be included in his application for a stay of removal. She said anyone who is interested can send a letter detailing Alex's contributions to his family, his neighbors, or his community. For more information, contact her at 314-721-2977 or via email at sara@ifcla.net.