Jose Alfredo Pacheco Gonzalez mentioned his brother might save his life.
Jose Alfredo Pacheco Gonzalez , 37, was recognized with end-stage kidney failure in late 2023, not lengthy after arriving in Chicago from Venezuela and making use of for asylum. Docs say he wants a life-saving kidney transplant.
His brother, Jose Gregorio Gonzalez, who can be an immigrant, was set to be that donor. However on March 3, Jose Gregorio Gonzalez was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs exterior their residence in Cicero and is prone to being deported to Venezuela.
On Monday, Jose Alfredo Pacheco Gonzalez, joined by neighborhood members, activists, religion leaders and elected officers, referred to as on immigration authorities to launch his brother underneath humanitarian parole so he can donate his kidney and save Jose Alfredo Pacheco Gonzalez’s life.
“I would like the assistance of authorities for the discharge of my brother as a result of I discover myself in a really grave well being scenario,” Jose Alfredo Pacheco Gonzalez mentioned in Spanish to the group of about 50 individuals at Chicago Staff Collaborative in Berwyn. “I’m a youngster with their life forward of them, my brother solely got here right here with the hope of giving me a kidney.”
Many on the occasion held indicators to point out their help. “It is a medical emergency, not a political debate,” one learn. “Compassion not detention,” learn one other.
State Rep. Edgar Gonzalez, D-Chicago, was additionally amongst these in attendance.
Jose Alfredo Pacheco Gonzalez has a pending asylum software, which might take years to resolve and prevents him from leaving the nation. He’s the daddy of 9-year-old twin boys and a 17-year-old daughter who’re again in Venezuela. He got here to the U.S. looking for a greater future for them, he mentioned.
“I’d wish to see them develop,” he mentioned.
Pastor Beth Brown of Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church in Chicago mentioned the choice needs to be easy for immigration authorities.
“How would you need your brother to be handled?,” she requested.
Jose Gregorio Gonzalez, 43, arrived within the U.S. in 2024 however was not capable of provide proof of a reputable threat if he have been to be returned to Venezuela. A choose gave him a removing order, based on Peter Meinecke, an legal professional with the Resurrection Mission who’s representing Jose Gregorio Gonzalez.
On the time, Venezuela wasn’t accepting deportation flights. He was subsequently positioned in ICE detention for a few months. He was then launched underneath ICE supervision partially because of humanitarian parole and since immigration authorities decided he was not a safety risk. He lived together with his brother for about yr earlier than he was once more detained this month.
“He was by no means arrested, was by no means accused of any crimes,” Meinecke mentioned. “He was residing right here peacefully and helping his brother in his medical procedures.”
Meinecke mentioned Jose Gregorio Gonzalez additionally doesn’t have a felony report in Venezuela.
Meinecke mentioned a keep of removing petition was denied by ICE on Monday with out stating a motive. A humanitarian parole software continues to be pending. Jose Gregorio Gonzalez is prepared to return to Venezuela after donating his kidney, Meinecke mentioned.
“Reduction on this case will not be essentially that Jose Gregorio will get to remain, it might very a lot imply that he nonetheless goes again,” Meinecke mentioned. “Delaying deportation would enable him to avoid wasting his brother’s life.”
And even when the brothers aren’t suitable for donation, Meinecke mentioned, Jose Gregorio Gonzalez might nonetheless donate his kidney and safe one for his brother by a kidney change, which connects donors with suitable recipients.
Tenoch Rodriguez, deportation protection organizer with the Resurrection Mission, mentioned the brothers’ case exemplifies why humanitarian parole exists.
“It additionally exemplifies the inhumanity and cruelty that 1000’s of immigrant households are experiencing all through this nation,” Rodriguez mentioned. “This isn’t an remoted incident. It’s a devastating instance of how our immigration system prioritizes detention and punishment over life, love and primary human dignity.”
Jose Gregorio Gonzalez is being held at Clay County Detention Middle in Indiana. Jose Alfredo Pacheco Gonzalez mentioned he acquired a message from his brother on Sunday after going days with out listening to from him.
“He informed me not to surrender.”
