SUPPORT MELECIO ANDAZOLA MORALES

Melecio Andazola Morales is a father to 4 children, the youngest of whom is only 2 years old. In May 1998, he crossed the border and has been working in the U.S. ever since. He  has spent his time here working in construction: from the Denver Coliseum, the Denver Airport, to the booming housing market he’s helped Colorado grow. He has no record, and his children are all U.S. citizens.

In 2017, Melecio’s daughter Viviana, a current senior at Yale, petitioned for Melecio to obtain permanent stay. When they arrived in Denver, one of the officers told Viviana that she did not need to go into the appointment with her father. However, Viviana asked to go with him anyway. Though the officer had mentioned that Melecio had been recommended for approval, she told Viviana that she had to leave. Viviana, confused, left the room. Twenty minutes later, Melecio’s representative informed Viviana that her father had been aggressively removed from the room. She was not allowed to speak to her father until ICE arrived on the premises. When ICE entered, they aggressively pushed Melecio’s representative and interpreter out of the room, and said that they had an expedited removal proceeding for Melecio. However, they refused to show the representative proof.

Since October 12, Melecio has been held in the ICE Denver Contract Detention Facility in Aurora, CO. He has anxiety, and does not have his medication with him. We are asking that Melecio be immediately released and reunited with his family. Please contribute to funds to support his family.