ACLU People Power, New Britain, a new and vibrant group of people acting for the civil liberties of our neighbors, asked Connecticut's U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Christopher Murphy, as well as Congressional Reps. Elizabeth Esty, Rosa DeLauro, and John Larson, to intervene in the impending deportation of Luis Barrios.

Barrios has lived in Connecticut as a productive, employed resident for over 20 years. He is married and the father of four children. If he were to be returned to Guatemala his life would clearly be in danger; others of his family have been killed for political reasons.

In past years Barrios was given stays of deportation, but due to a minor traffic stop for a broken tail light, he is now scheduled for immediate deportation.

This is not a dangerous criminal; this is a family man, responsibly raising four U.S. citizen children and in desperate need of safe haven. We believe that our representatives should use their authority and resources of their office and intervene to halt the deportation. We also believe that the people of Connecticut should be outraged by this callous and unreasonable action.

Marianne Hebenstreit

ACLU People Power

New Britain

Editor's note: On Wednesday federal authorities granted Mr. Barrios a 30-day reprieve on his deportation order. His case remains under review.