Emmanuel, my partner and the father of my children, originally came to the United States as a lawful permanent resident, brought over by his family at the age of 14. But when he suffered a near-fatal car accident a few years later and was forced to accept a blood transfusion, he was abandoned by his parents, who were strict Jehovah’s witnesses and disapproved of the procedure. During this period, Emmanuel’s right leg was also amputated above the knee.

After the accident, Emmanuel spent nine months recovering in the hospital as a child, alone. Upon leaving the hospital, newly-disabled and abandoned by his family, he became homeless. On the street, he struggled with depression and started taking drugs to try to ease his chronic pain. He developed an addiction and was convicted of two non-violent drug offenses, which are the underlying basis for his current deportation.

This was one of the lowest points in his life. Now a loving father to our two children, Emmanuel is facing imminent deportation for two convictions that occurred before our children were born.

Please sign this petition to ask ICE not to deport my children’s father because of two non-violent drug offenses he committed more than 9 years ago.

I met Emmanuel nearly 12 years ago, and we later had two children, Silver and Hunter, who are now 8 and 2 years old. As partners, I supported Emmanuel through his fight with addiction, and he supported me through my struggle with severe epilepsy. Each time I have a seizure, Emmanuel has cared for me, making sure that I do not suffocate, choke on my tongue, or hurt myself or those around me with objects that I may be holding. For almost 12 years, he has stood by my side with my sickness. And together, we have built a loving and supportive home for our children.

Without Emmanuel, it has been difficult to manage my epilepsy, and I have struggled to parent our two children while their father is held in a detention center more than one thousand miles away.

After 20 years in this country, my partner is in danger of being deported to Haiti, where his survival is at stake. In Haiti, he will be left abandoned and homeless, unable to access medical care. And our children will be left without the father they cherish and love.

Last week Silver wrote a sad letter asking for her dad to come home. In the letter she said, "I love you so very much it hurts. . . I sometimes cry at church. You are the most loveing person on this earth to me. You [are] my superhero to me. . . I hope that you don't get send far away. I pray evry day at night, in the morning, sometimes in the bathroom at school. . . I love you so much daddy."

Please don’t let ICE shatter our family. Sign to ask ICE for a stay of Emmanuel’s deportation.