A rally was organized Saturday to try and keep a Rochester man from being deported to his native Haiti.
The rally was organized by School Board member Mary Adams and it included support from Board President Van White.
They say that 44 year old Reginald Castel came to the Rochester area from Haiti with his parents when he was 8 years old and has lived here ever since. Adams says that Castel’s lawful permanent status was jeopardized many years ago when he was involved in a fight with a former friend. She says Castel agreed to a plea deal she calls “a raw deal” and notes the victim actually has now signed an affidavit in support of Castel.
Supporters of Castel say that if he is deported, the community faces the loss of an involved public school parent, a meticulous homeowner who is also a popular car salesman.
And he suffers from a severe form of diabetes which his lawyer says could kill him if he is incarcerated in Haiti.
His supporters say that due to what they refer to as the “current harsh Immigration and Customs Enforcement climate, Castel is facing imminent deportation.
His family and friends are asking for people to contact the ICE Buffalo Field Office to leave a message of support for Castel.
