Ray County, MO – Pastor Ralph Morris of VCU Church in Ray County is scrambling to prevent the deportation of Wendsy Desrivieres, an orphaned Haitian man he has sponsored for over a decade, after a change in immigration policy implemented under the Trump administration. Desrivieres, who lost both his parents at a young age, has been ordered to leave the United States by April 24th.
Desrivieres arrived in the US in April 2024 through the Refugee Parole Program, a legal pathway granted due to the closure of the US Embassy in Haiti in August 2023. The program initially provided him with a two-year parole, allowing him to live and work legally in the US.
However, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has recently terminated certain parole programs for nationals of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, leaving Desrivieres with a devastating ultimatum: leave the country within 30 days or face deportation.
“We’ve done everything legally,” Pastor Morris told WDAF-TV. “We don’t understand what we’ve done wrong.”
Morris, who has become more than just a sponsor to Desrivieres and considers him part of his family, is desperately seeking answers and exploring all available legal options. He emphasizes that Desrivieres followed all proper procedures and has been fully transparent with immigration officials.
“He has appeared twice within the Immigration Service,” Morris explained. “He’s been interviewed. He’s been fingerprinted. He has a permanent residence. They know where he is. They know what he is doing.”
The termination of the parole program has thrown Desrivieres’ life into turmoil and left Pastor Morris and the VCU Church community heartbroken. They are now working tirelessly to raise awareness about the case and find a way to keep Desrivieres in the US, where he has built a life and found a supportive community. The case highlights the ongoing impact of Trump-era immigration policies and the challenges faced by individuals seeking refuge and opportunity in the United States.
