Nghia Vy's Deportation

 Nghia Vy is a former "cloistered brother" and has been free for 17 years.  During that time, he went to school to be a dog groomer and also worked for Sister Ruth in the Hope Chest.  That is, until he got a letter from ICE.  The following poem speaks what happened.

Nghia Vy's Deportation

Time stays the same

       as usual--always.

Nghia helping customers

       find their treasures

Nghia who trained our dogs

       to sit and stay.

Nghia who prayed rosaries

      for all--far and near

Nghia who said "blessed,"

      instead of "happy"

Nghia who spread love,

     not hate and fear.

Nghia who paid taxes

     and obeyed laws.

Then came the letter from ICE

    to appear for a hearing.

Fear took over our thoughts

    suddenly--abruptly.

Passed from state to state,

     from prison to prison.

Nghia was stolen away.

     Unfair!  A good man!

Guantanamo, Panama, Yemen:

     deportation somewhere.

Vietnam the final destination.

     Due process be damned!

Last week we learned

     Nghia is dead.

No Mercy

Sister Ruth sent this email, today.  

Dear Friends,

For those of you who have not heard, our brother Nghia Vy received an email a few days ago from Immigration. ICE told him he will be deported back to Vietnam.  Nghia escaped Vietnam to the US as an asylum seeker after the Vietnamese war.  

When he was released from prison 17 years ago the US did not have a treaty with Vietnam, so he was able to stay in the USA.  Thanks to the new federal administration, we now have a treaty.  Nghia is an amazing brother and friend in our Bethany Community. This is such heartbreaking news for all of us.

Yes, heartbreaking indeed.  If we are devastated, imagine how Nghia feels.

Please pray for him.