Claudio Marcelo Caruso came to the United States in 1994 with his brother Luis legally.  He had another brother already living in California named Mario.  Mario already had a greencard and Luis also obtained his greencard (and now has citizenship as of 2009). Marcelo went to a different lawyer than Luis.  Come to find out much later, they were notarios who misrepresented Marcelo and told him the only way to stay in the United States was to claim religious aslyum. The paperwork that Marcelo completed was headed as "asylum" but when he wrote his statement, he stated that he had no religious persecution in his country and that he just wanted to stay with his brothers and make a better life for himself.  In 1999, Marcelo was ordered "voluntary departure" and had about 30 days to leave.  After finding out he was misrepresented, he went to a new lawyer and started everything over again.  He did not board the airplane.

Marcleo met Melanie in 2004. It was love at first sight. They got married and had two children; Annabella Rose Caruso (4) and Sophia Antoinette Caruso (3).  They both knew that getting married was not going to help his case as he had a deportation BEFORE they met and getting married would not help the situation. They purchased a beautiful home in North Carolina and became members of their new church where they frequently hosted small groups in their home. Their two children were enrolled in a Christian Daycare and it seemed to be the perfect life.  Marcelo always paid his taxes, he never used the system and he always carried medical insurance.

On December 8, 2008, Marcelo dropped his two children off at the daycare and went on to work where an ICE agent blocked in his car and told him he was there to return him to Argentina as he was going to be deported for immigration violation.  Marcelo spend about a month and a half in jail where he used this time to hold daily bible studies for many of the inmates there and gave everyone hope and always preached the word of Christ to everyone he came in contact with.  Even the prision guards loved him and encouraged him daily.  Marcelo also contacted his wife on several occasions to help the other inmates get in contact with their families.  He seemed very concerned for many of the wonderful friends he made in there that are all in a similar situation. 

In January 2009, Marcelo was deported to Argentina.  In February of 2009, his wife and children rejoined him in Argentina and left their old lives behind.  During their stay in Argentina, life was very difficult.  Marcelo as well as Melanie and the children became quite depressed as jobs are but few and Melanie nor the children speak the language of that country.  

There was a tradgedy in Melanie's family in California and she was flown out to the United States with her two children to be with her family.  At this time, Marcelo suggested that Melanie and the children stay in the United States with her family as he couldn't stand to see his children and wife becoming depressed.  The area in which they lived was not safe either. Many crimes were happening in the area. The economic state of the area in which they lived was poverty level and the family was not doing well.  Marcelo made a decision to let his family go until such time he can be returned to the United States for their safety.  The family is keeping in contact via email and webcam daily but they need to be reunited in the United States.  Please keep this family in your thoughts and prayers.