Court Slows Deported Dad’s Case as 20K Sign Petition to Reunite With Kids

The petition calls on the Department of Social Services in Allegheny County, NC. to ensure that Felipe Montes, a single-father who was deported to Mexico, not be permanently separated but instead be reunified with his three sons in the United States or Mexico.

By Jorge Rivas Feb 21, 2012

A petition launched on Valentine’s Day by Presente.org and Colorlines.com’s publisher, Applied Research Center, surpassed the 20,000 signature mark on Tuesday afternoon. The petition calls on the Department of Social Services in Allegheny County, NC. to ensure that Felipe Montes, a single-father who was deported to Mexico, not be permanently separated but instead be reunified with his three sons in the United States or Mexico.

And there’s good news to report today. Below is a statement from Seth Freed Wessler, Colorlines.com’s investigative reporter, who has been in contact with Montes:

"The vast attention on Felipe Montes’ case has clearly had an impact. According to his attorney, the hearing that had been scheduled for today has been postponed to another date, giving the family and the child welfare department more time. We don’t yet know what the child welfare system will do when the hearing does occur, but the postponement is a sign that the media attention on the case interrupted the child welfare department’s plan to move the children toward adoption. The family is by no means in the clear and the Allegheny County could certainly still try to have Felipe’s parental rights terminated but for now, Montes is doing everything necessary so that his children can be reunified with him."

For more information on the petition visit act.presente.org/sign/felipeschildren.