Three Chicago Congressmen and Rev. Jesse Jackson have added their support to the Chicago City Council, in calling for and end to the deportation of Rigo Padilla, a student at UIC facing deportation on December 16.

This week Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-9,) Congressman Danny Davis (IL-7) and Congressman Bobby Rush (IL-1) were joined by Rev. Jesse Jackson and Rainbow PUSH supporting Rigo in the lead up to the rally on December 4th . Congressman Luis Gutierrez (IL-4) is already on record in support of Rigo.

Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky has issued a letter of support to ICE Director John Morton in support of halting Rigo's deportation. In the letter the Congresswoman cites the long time that Rigo has lived in Chicago and points to his positive contributions:

"Mr. Padilla has lived in the U.S. since the first grade, and knows no other country. I understand that he has been a model student, working to pay his own through college. He has participated in a scholarship programs to train him in his dream of becoming a lawyer, paid taxes, and been an active volunteer in his community. Mr. Padilla has a broad range of high school and college professors who have vouched for his character and he has the active support of dozens of organizations and thousands of individuals in Chicago. On November 18 the City Council of Chicago approved a resolution asking for the deferral of the deportation of Mr. Padilla by a vote of 49-1. This support, covered extensively by the Chicago press, is as a result of his being an outstanding student and a person of great value to the community."

The letter asks that ICE Director John Morton stay Rigo's deportation until he graduates from college or Congress enacts immigration reform. You can do the same by clicking here.

Rigo also shared his story at Rainbow Push, this weekend, gaining the support of Rev. Jesse Jackson and Congressmen Bobby Rush, and Danny Davis. Pictures below:

We encourage you to show your support of Rigo by sending a free message to ICE and attending our rally for and end to deportations and the passage of immigration reform December 4th 10:00 AM at 1st United Methodist Church. Details here.