Your calls and emails worked! On August 19th, Constantin Bakala was paroled from detention and returned to his family after nearly two years of ICE detention. In addition, his case was transferred to California, leaving behind the judge in Georgia who had originally ordered his deportation. His reopened case will now go before a new judge—with the benefit of legal representation this time.
Constantin’s prospects for winning asylum in the US are finally looking up, but at an incredible cost. To prevent Constantin’s deportation and return him to his family required:
-- Over 30 volunteers working in 5 states
-- 8 lawyers
-- More than 22 stories in the media
-- Inquiries from 3 congressional offices
-- A demonstration outside ICE headquarters
-- A social media campaign that resulted in uncounted calls and emails to ICE
Constantin’s journey is not over. He was released with only a small duffle bag of belongings. His family has been living in an apartment so small that his wife slept on the living room sofa. Annie now has a job as a preschool teacher’s aide, but Constantin still lacks a work permit. Please help us launch this hardworking family into their new life together by making a financial gift to support Constantin's family by clicking here.
Thank you to the many individuals who wrote letters or called; to the staff of Congressmembers Harris, Vargas, and Feinstein; and to the following organizations who offered on-the-ground support as Constantin was moved from one detention center to another. Want to help change a life? Click on one of the links below.
Asian Americans Advancing Justice
Etowah Visitation Project, a member organization of Freedom for Immigrants
South Georgia Immigrant Support Network
Please share your contact information below so we can stay in touch as this family's story continues to unfold. To learn more about Constantin's story click here.