Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has asked the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Citizenship & Immigration Services to delay the deportation of Mariano Cardoso, a 22-year-old New Britain resident who is one month from finishing his degree at Capitol Community College.
Cardoso’s parents entered the United States illegally from Mexico when he was 22 months old, and eventually settled in Connecticut. He’s been facing deportation since federal authorities showed up at a family gathering in 2008.
“For all intents and purposes, Mariano is American,” Malloy said in a statement. “To send him back to a country he has no recollection of and did not grow up in makes little sense, particularly as he is finishing his degree and looking to contribute to his community and this state.”
Cardoso also is seeking help from Sen. Richard Blumenthal, the Hartford Advocate reported last week.