Johnston County man in country fighting deportation by ICE back to Guatemala

A Johnston County church reached out to WRAL because one of its parishioners is facing deportation.

Juan Zelada has been in the US on a work visa for the past five years. His family is now worried because his visa wasn’t renewed. He moved to the US 15 years ago from Guatemala.

Zelada came across the border illegally and has been allowed to stay through the work visa. What was supposed to be a regular check-in with immigration officials took an unexpected turn when Zelada learned ICE officials issued an order of removal.

"I don't have the space to think clear right now," Zelada said. "It's scary to go back."

He’s the family’s main source of income working for Skanska Construction, providing for his five children and his wife, all US citizens.

Zelada said he’s tried applying for US citizenship many times. Members of Hope Church in Clayton, where Zelada attends, have written letters pleading with authorities to let Zelada stay with his family. Some of Zelada's co-workers have done the same as has Zelada's son.

"We've been working with the lawyer for that," Zelada said. "Lawyers have been working with e for at least five years ... no success."

Zelada has to check in with ICE and show them his ticket to go back to Guatemala by March 3. We reached out to ICE officials, and they said they did not have a comment on the current situation.

"My husband is hard working, pays his taxes, takes care of his family," said Juan Zelada's wife, Jessica.

Luke Long, pastor at Hope Church, said the church hasn't considered offering sanctuary for Zelada.

"We thought about that and we talked with Juan about that," Long said. "I think Juan looks at that similar to prison."