Earlier this month, as part of the DREAM Now Letters to Barack Obama series, we introduced you to Selvin Ovidio Arevalo, a Guatemalan student living in Maine who is facing immediate deportation.

There has been much talk by the right wing and some Republicans about returning to the “good ole American values rooted in Christianity”. While one could argue about what the values of this country really are and their history, what cannot be argued is that often the rhetoric against immigrants by those same people is anything but merciful. Selvin is a young man of faith and I wonder how many within the faith community, across party lines would step up for a young man like Selvin.

Selvin, a Portland resident for ten years, came to the U.S. fleeing violence and poverty as a child. He was about to receive his high school diploma when he was detained by local police, and is now at risk of being deported, despite his long-standing leadership and contributions to the Portland community.

There was a press call yesterday to help garner attention and support for Selvin, with a specific focus on Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) and Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME) to intervene.

Isai Galvez, youth leader of Iglesia Pentecostal El Sinai and Selvin’s best friend, spoke about Selvin’s contributions to Portland and his battle with deportation. “Selvin’s dream has always been to get his high school diploma and attend college but when he was detained, his hope of becoming an American citizen, graduating college and starting his own business was put in jeopardy,” said Gonzalez. “I’m asking Senators Collins and Snowe, on behalf of the greater Portland community, to come to his defense and intervene on his behalf. Selvin is a living example of why we desperately need the DREAM Act in order to protect the future leaders of our nation.”

“I urge our Senators to consider the overall nature of Selvin’s character, selfless actions while in the United States, and commitment to his community,” insisted Marc Mutty, Director of Public Affairs for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland. “Selvin’s story calls for our understanding and assistance, proving once and for all why we need immigration reform that offers immigrants who come to the US in search of a better life a path to citizenship.

You can support Selvin by sending a fax sponsored by America’s Voice.