Immigrant Who Worked Undercover For NJ Police Now Faces Deportation

Campaign on Change.org calls on Immigration and Customs Enforcement to release Charbel Chehoud, a Lebanese immigrant with pending asylum case who served as undercover New Jersey police informant and now faces imminent deportation.

More than 5,000 people have joined a popular campaign on Change.org calling on Immigration and Customs Enforcement to release Lebanese immigrant and undercover New Jersey police informant Charbel Chehoud from Essex County Jail, where he faces deportation as early as Wednesday. Veronica Garcia, Chehoud’s fiancée and a U.S. citizen, launched the campaign on Change.org after federal immigration authorities refused to release Chehoud despite New Jersey police and prosecutors urging his deportation be stopped.

Chehoud has worked on undercover operations for New Jersey detectives, helping solve several high-profile crimes. His asylum case is currently pending. “My daughter and I miss Charley so much," said Garcia, who started the petition on Change.org. "If my fiancée were released from detention, we could continue with his asylum case and our pending marriage. It is saddening to me that someone who is an asset to the community and has helped solve high-profile crimes is being kept away from his family who needs him."

Chehoud arrived from Lebanon more than 30 years ago on a valid visa, was married to a U.S. citizen, and applied for asylum, but the marriage dissolved before he could acquire a green card. His brother was killed in a suspicious auto-pedestrian accident in July 2011 in Lebanon, and Chehoud fears for his life if he were to return to his home country.

News of the online petition campaign’s rapid growth is likely to increase pressure on Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Within hours of the campaign’s launch, Garcia had recruited hundreds of supporters on Change.org, the world’s fastest growing platform for social change.

“What Veronica Garcia has accomplished on behalf of her fiancée in just a few days is remarkable,” said Change.org organizer Gabriela Garcia. “With more than 5,000 supporters and the vocal support of New Jersey’s police department, this campaign is certainly making waves. I’d be surprised if Immigration and Customs Enforcement didn’t respond soon.”

Veronica Garcia has been informed that an attempt will be made to deport Chehoud this Wednesday. Journalists interested in setting up an interview should use the contact details at the top of the page.

Live signature totals from Veronica Garcia’s campaign:
http://www.change.org/petitions/he-helped-police-solve-murder-crimes-dont-deport-charbel-chehoud  

New York Daily News coverage of the campaign:
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/jersey-cops-vouch-sandy-hook-murder-tipster-fights-stay-u-s-article-1.999043?localLinksEnabled=false  

Contact information for petition signers in your area can be arranged upon request:
Gabriela Garcia
Organizer, Change.org
press@change.org
(202) 684 2552

For more information on Change.org, please visit:
http://www.change.org/about
Change.org is the world’s fastest-growing platform for social change — growing by more than 500,000 new members a month, and empowering millions of people to start, join, and win campaigns for social change in their community, city and country.