Wife of Jose Escobar Fights to Keep Family Together

by Gabriela Garcia · 2011-10-11 13:54:00 UTC
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When Rose Marie Ascencio-Escobar married Jose Escobar in Texas when the two were 19 years old, there was no reason to think anything would ever go wrong. The high school sweethearts were madly in love and had been dating since they were 15. Rose was a U.S. citizen and Jose had arrived as a child from El Salvador on Temporary Protected Status because of the violence and natural disasters plaguing the country.

But now, Rose finds herself struggling to raise a one-year-old child on her own while fighting for her husband’s release from unjust and prolonged immigration detention. More than 500 supporters have already signed her petition to release husband Jose.

Supporters argue that Jose, who has no criminal record and arrived in the country as a teen, should not be a priority for deportation according to new Department of Homeland Security guidelines, yet he has been in detention in Texas since June. His only contact with his young son, Walter, has been through thick glass and he is unable to comfort the baby when he cries because he doesn’t understand the physical separation.

Jose was placed into deportation proceedings because he attempted to follow the law and renew his Temporary Protected Status. He received faulty legal advice from a lawyer who told him not to show up for a hearing. Against no fault of his own, Jose was ripped from his family, and risks losing everyone he loves.

“Since Jose has been detained we have been on an emotional roller coaster,” says Rose. “Some days look promising and full of hope, some days I feel frustrated, confused, and angry. Those are the days I look for God to surround me with comfort, strength, and peace.”

Since Jose was taken, Rose has struggled with making ends meet as a reluctant suddenly single parent. The bills have piled up and she wonders how she will survive another month without Jose’s income and support.

“Some days, the emotional strain is too heavy to bear,” she says. “I break down quite often, both at work and at home. I try to remain strong in front of my son, who constantly looks out the window waiting for his dad.”

Help Walter see his dad again by signing Rose’s petition to release Jose Escobar from detention and keep him at home with his family who badly needs him.

Gabriela Garcia is a freelance writer who has written for Latina, the Miami New Times, National Geographic Traveler blog, and Matador Network blogs, amongst other publications.
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