Helping a friend stay in the US

[arast]

I have a friend from Mexico who has made his life here. He has a family and a job that he's been at for 3 years. Now he's fighting the courts to stay in our country. Is there anything I can do to help?

 

[usdeeper]

Did he enter the country legally ? Why are they trying to deport him ?

 

[arast]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by usdeeper:
Did he enter the country legally ? Why are they trying to deport him ? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
As far as I know, he had a temporary green card. I've known him for 3 years now, but he's been here for at least 10. He was at a friend's house when the police did a drug raid and he got caught in the middle. He is very religious and would never do anything illigal. It's the "wrong place, wrong time" scenario. I guess the law says that if they are convicted of a felony they have to leave. He pleaded not guilty because he didn't have the money for a lawyer to prove his innocence.

 

[usdeeper]

If he is out of status AND convicted, then it is highly unlikely he will be able to remain.. The problem is, if the INS were looking for him, they just found him and the moment he is released from jail, they will start deportation procedings. Without money for an attorney, the cards are against him..