CHARLOTTE, N.C. (ABP) — Thirty-three people wearing “I Support Hector” badges packed Immigration Court in Charlotte, N.C., Sept. 2 for the hearing of a Hispanic church planter facing possible deportation.
The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina worked hard to rally support from pastors and laypeople for 41-year-old Hector Villanueva, pastor of Iglesia Bautista la Roca in Siler City, N.C., and part of the North Carolina CBF’s Hispanic network.
Spinning between tears and joy, Martha and Hector Villanueva share the good news with three dozen friends who came to support them during a hearing on whether Hector would be deported for a crime committed in 1995. (ABP photo/Norman Jameson
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Villanueva testified before Immigration Judge Barry Pettinato that he was arrested and threatened with deportation last year after he applied for citizenship. His denial letter said it was because of his criminal record.
The only crime Villanueva had ever committed was 15 years earlier, when he served 12 months in a California jail for trying to cash a check that didn’t belong to him. The young Villanueva was homeless back then, but he became a committed Christian while in prison and upon release began to prepare for the ministry.
Villanueva’s crime wasn’t deportable at the time, but laws have since been passed to expand the definition of “aggravated felonies” originally intended to combat narcotics trafficking to include less serious or dangerous acts. Under the law aggravated felonies usually result in deportation.
After his arrest Villanueva’s only chance of avoiding deportation was for a discretionary waiver allowing him to stay because he has children and a job.
At the hearing Villanueva spoke passionately about transforming his life and starting to serve God, first in prison and then in the ministry. He talked about his church and ministry in the community.
At one point the judge asked Villanueva if any members of his church were present. There were none, so Pettinato asked, “Who are these people?”
“Friends,” the crowd murmured, prompting a look of appreciation on Villanueva’s face for the strong show of support.
After his testimony, Judge Pettinato said the evidence indicates the father of five has lived an “exemplary” life since prison and that he is now “completely rehabilitated.” After he granted Villanueva’s “request for relief,” the relieved pastor said it took a moment for him to realize the threat of deportation hanging over him for so long was now lifted.
The audience applauded, cautiously at first because they had earlier been reprimanded for speaking from the gallery to correct dates in Villenueva’s testimony that he got mixed up because he was nervous, and then the ovation grew. After the proceedings the crowd gathered to pray.
Villanueva’s lawyer, immigration attorney Jorgelina Araneda of Cary, N.C., said she had never before had a client prevail only on his or her own testimony without other witnesses on the client’s behalf. She said the crowd probably made a difference, prompting to judge to ask himself, “Who are all these people here to show they had faith and trust in this man?”
“Without them, I really don’t know what would have happened, to tell the truth,” a tearful, smiling and grateful Villanueva said after the hearing.
Martha Villanueva, Hector’s wife of 13 years, said she was, “excited, amazed and blessed for the support.”
“Thanks to God,” she said through tears.
Villanueva, who came to the U.S. at age 3 when his parents brought him from Mexico, takes Spanish lessons so he won’t embarrass himself while preaching in the language. He said his family wouldn’t do well in Mexico, and they had debated whether if he were deported whether Martha should try to accompany him or stay behind with the children, all U.S. citizens.
With the legal victory, Villanueva gets to keep his green card and can stay indefinitely as a legal resident. Under current law he cannot become a citizen, however, unless he is pardoned by the governor of California. He said he intends to work toward that end.
Villanueva came to North Carolina in 2006 as an emissary from a church in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. He worked with North Carolina CBF Hispanic leader coach Javier Benitez to start Iglesia Bautista la Roca in Raleigh, one of a dozen congregations that form the state organization’s Hispanic Network.
Later he launched Iglesia Bautista la Roca in Siler City, a small congregation of about 30. He supplements his income as owner of Prestige Home Repairs and Painting. North Carolina CBF helped him with legal fees.
“This was a great victory,” an exuberant Villanueva remarked after the hearing. “I feel like going to Mexico so I can say I can come back.”
Norman Jameson is reporting and coordinating special projects for ABP on an interim basis and is a contributing writer to the Religious Herald.