Help the Rogel Family
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Hello everyone! I started this page for my dear friend and son's former preschool teacher Alena. Her husband and father to her 3 children, Omar, was suddenly deported last week. They are in the midst of legal battles and will suffer financial hardship without his presence and income. Please find find it in your heart to give to this wonderful family. The funds will be used for legal costs, a vehicle since the transmission just went on their car, and basic living expenses for her and her children.
Here is more information on Omar's story written in Alena's own words:
"My loving husband, Omar, came to the United States when he was just 3 years old with his family from Mexico. They settled in the Lilburn, GA area in search of the American Dream. He recalls wanting to learn English so badly he immersed himself into Sesame Street!
In Elementary school he emerged as an intellectual and was part of a gifted program. His enthusiasm to learn always had him at the top of his class! It came to no surprise that Omar would indeed go to college. However, Omar did not qualify for ANY financial aid due to his legal status. That did not stop him! My husband, without a licence, biked his way down to Georgia State every morning and paid for every dollar of his tuition out of HIS pocket. This was DETERMINATION...This was PERSEVERANCE... 2 characteristics that would never leave him!
I met him while he was in his fourth year of college and was instantly drawn to his intellect, resourcefulness, and ambition for life. He worked very hard in school preparing for a career while being able to provide adequately for his family. This was the American Dream for a young Mexican guy. But becoming a legal "American" was the dark cloud that lurked over him despite this country being his home.
In 2003 when Omar was 21, his mother petitioned for him and his sister under her citizenship. His sister got her green card within 5-6 years and my husband is still waiting, 15 years later. As his wife, I also petitioned for a visa and was told it would take 12 months to process...it has yet to finish processing. The dark cloud that has lurked over him and our family for so long came to a complete torrential down poor.
On August 2nd, after receiving a letter from ICE asking him to report for an "interview" (which we thought would be for his visa), they apprehended him and took him into custody in preparation for deportation into country he does not know and away from his family who desperately misses him. Our hearts are beyond crushed. What does a mother say to her children who are asking what time Daddy is coming home today when you don't know when daddy is coming home?! It is unjust to throw a family into traumatic emotional and financial hardship.
He is currently on U.S. soil for the next 2 to 3 weeks and as God is my witness, I along with his family will not stop fighting until my husband is home where he should be.
Please know that we understand everyone is not in a position to give, and that's ok. May everyone gather their fierce prayer warriors and pray continuously for our family. We are forever grateful for each and everyone of you!"
Here is more information on Omar's story written in Alena's own words:
"My loving husband, Omar, came to the United States when he was just 3 years old with his family from Mexico. They settled in the Lilburn, GA area in search of the American Dream. He recalls wanting to learn English so badly he immersed himself into Sesame Street!
In Elementary school he emerged as an intellectual and was part of a gifted program. His enthusiasm to learn always had him at the top of his class! It came to no surprise that Omar would indeed go to college. However, Omar did not qualify for ANY financial aid due to his legal status. That did not stop him! My husband, without a licence, biked his way down to Georgia State every morning and paid for every dollar of his tuition out of HIS pocket. This was DETERMINATION...This was PERSEVERANCE... 2 characteristics that would never leave him!
I met him while he was in his fourth year of college and was instantly drawn to his intellect, resourcefulness, and ambition for life. He worked very hard in school preparing for a career while being able to provide adequately for his family. This was the American Dream for a young Mexican guy. But becoming a legal "American" was the dark cloud that lurked over him despite this country being his home.
In 2003 when Omar was 21, his mother petitioned for him and his sister under her citizenship. His sister got her green card within 5-6 years and my husband is still waiting, 15 years later. As his wife, I also petitioned for a visa and was told it would take 12 months to process...it has yet to finish processing. The dark cloud that has lurked over him and our family for so long came to a complete torrential down poor.
On August 2nd, after receiving a letter from ICE asking him to report for an "interview" (which we thought would be for his visa), they apprehended him and took him into custody in preparation for deportation into country he does not know and away from his family who desperately misses him. Our hearts are beyond crushed. What does a mother say to her children who are asking what time Daddy is coming home today when you don't know when daddy is coming home?! It is unjust to throw a family into traumatic emotional and financial hardship.
He is currently on U.S. soil for the next 2 to 3 weeks and as God is my witness, I along with his family will not stop fighting until my husband is home where he should be.
Please know that we understand everyone is not in a position to give, and that's ok. May everyone gather their fierce prayer warriors and pray continuously for our family. We are forever grateful for each and everyone of you!"
Organizer and beneficiary
Heather Percyz Canner
Organizer
Cincinnati, OH
Alena Orwin
Beneficiary