Kent resident awaits word on deportation

KENT — Immigration has been a topic of much media coverage in our current political climate. There are stories of people in far away states that are crossing borders, held in crowded detention centers, tracked down by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).  

One might not expect that a national issue will hit close to home, but home it has come. 

Long-time Kent resident Constantino “Tino” Santiago, who is undocumented, was taken into custody by ICE on Feb. 26, 2019, while picking up his children from Kent Center School. At a court hearing last week, the judge presiding over his case ordered him deported from the U.S.

Originally from Oaxaca, Mexico, Santiago has called Kent home for the past 25 years. He was employed as a sous chef at Kingsley Tavern on Main Street. 

He has three American-born sons: Jordan, age 19, Jason, 14, and Jaden, 7. He owns a home in South Kent and pays his taxes, according to town officials. 

“It serves no purpose whatsoever to deport Tino and tear apart his family,” said Susan Markowitz, a friend. 

Markowitz praised his trustworthiness and work ethic. 

“He helps so many of us in town with chores and tasks such as yard work, cleaning out basements and hauling items. He is reliable and honest and has the keys to many of our homes,” she said. “If you need him for any reason, he’s there.”

His eldest son, Jordan Santiago, suffers from Type 1 diabetes and dropped out of college following his father’s detention in order to work and help make up for lost income. Santiago’s middle son has autism.  

Two police stops for driving under the influence in 2008 and 2016 are likely what put Santiago on ICE’s radar.

“People are not defined by their worst moment,” Markowitz said. “If that were the case, we’d all be detained. Everyone makes mistakes, but that does not change the fact that Tino is a wonderful husband and father who works hard to provide for his family.”

At the hearing, more than 60 community members were at the Hartford courthouse to testify on Santiago’s behalf. While the judge did not rule in his favor, an appeal is scheduled for May 3. If he loses the appeal, Santiago will be deported to Mexico and barred from returning to the United Sates for 10 years.

Donations for Santiago’s family may be made to a GoFundMe page at www.gofundme.com/the-santiago-family-in-this-great-time-of-need.