Millcreek mayor expresses frustration, shows support for refugee families following deportation notice

Silvestrini continued to say he will not just stand by while the people in his community have their rights violated.

“We respect the right and the duty of our federal partners to enforce our immigration laws and even to deport violent criminals, but that does not mean that we will stand by silently when the rights of people in our Millcreek community are violated,” he said.

Lawyers representing the families called these notices to leave the country a scare tactic and said they will challenge it in federal court as part of a class action lawsuit.

Neighbors of refugee families show support

Marcy and Hugh Matheson are the refugees’ neighbors and go to church with them. They said the families are full of fear, even though they’ve done everything right.

“They are the sweetest, kindest (people) … They’ve set an example of faith, of courage, of love,” they said.

Hugh said the woman from Haiti has an incredible story of perseverance coming to this country.

“She’s gotten the professional qualifications. She’s working in a line of work in the medical field that is in high demand,” he said.

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