Illinois lawmaker asking feds not to deport SC man

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — An Illinois congressman says he will ask the courts to drop deportation proceedings against a South Carolina worker with two children who are U.S. citizens.

Democratic Rep. Luis Gutierrez (goo-tee-AIR’-uhs) met Wednesday with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials in Charleston. The congressman said during the 75-minute meeting, a court date was set for next March for 27-year-old Gabino Sanchez of Ridgeland.

But Gutierrez said he will ask the courts to drop the case before then.

The agency announced this year deportations would focus on immigrants with criminal records and Sanchez has none. Gutierrez is one of two Illinois congressman seeking cases to test which immigrants will be allowed to stay. He says the government should focus on deporting criminals, not people like Sanchez who are contributing to society.