Roland Sylvain, frontline worker and long-time U.S. resident, currently faces deportation because of a nearly twenty-year-old conviction.
In 2002, Roland was pulled over for a traffic violation. The police officer made everyone exit the car, and in a moment of panic, Roland gave the officer a different name. The officer charged him with three felonies for “forging public records.”
Nearly a decade later, ICE came after Roland because of these convictions, and Roland has been fighting his deportation ever since. In 2020, an immigration judge found that Roland’s convictions barred him from relief from deportation, and so did not take into account Roland’s family ties, his 35 years in this country, and his community support. Roland is fighting to stay here with his family—his wife, his parents, and his four children. Learn more about Roland’s case here.
Roland needs a pardon from the Governor of Virginia, which is his best chance at preventing his unjust deportation and keeping his family together.
Take Action Below and Demand that the Governor Grant this Pardon!
Step 1: Call and email Governor Northam!
CALL THE GOVERNOR: (804) 786-2211 (opt. 2)
SCRIPT: Hello, my name is [YOUR NAME] and I am calling on behalf of Roland Sylvain, who recently submitted a pardon application in December 2020. [If you have a Virginia connection, please emphasize that here – e.g. I live and work in Arlington, Virginia.] I urge you to grant Mr. Sylvain a pardon. Roland has lived in the U.S. since he was just 7 years old and he is facing an imminent threat of deportation for signing the wrong name on traffic tickets in Virginia 20 years ago. Because of this one traffic stop in Virginia, ICE is trying to deport him to Haiti, where there is political crisis and rising violence. By granting Roland a pardon, Governor Northam can give Roland a fighting chance of staying in the U.S. with his family and community. Roland deserves to stay here in the US, his only home.
EMAIL THE GOVERNOR: ralph.northam@governor.virginia.gov
Email Template
Subject: Pardon Roland Sylvain and Keep His Family Together
Dear Governor Northam,
My name is [YOUR NAME] and [I am a resident of Virginia.] I am writing on behalf of Roland Sylvain, who recently submitted a pardon petition in December of 2020. I urge you to grant Mr. Sylvain a pardon. Roland, a frontline worker throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, has lived in the U.S. since he was just 7 years old and he is facing an imminent threat of deportation for signing the wrong name on traffic tickets in Virginia nearly 20 years ago. Because of this one traffic stop, the government is trying to deport Roland to Haiti, a country currently facing a political crisis and rising violence. By granting Mr. Sylvain a pardon, Governor Northam will allow the immigration judge to consider the many outstanding positive factors in Mr. Sylvain’s case, including his U.S. citizen wife, U.S. citizen kids, the outpouring of community support he has received, and the fact that he has been an essential worker throughout the pandemic. If the Governor grants this pardon to Mr. Sylvain, his chances of remaining with his family and community will dramatically increase. Please do not let this one mistake define Mr. Sylvain’s life; he deserves to stay here in the US, his only home.
Step 2: Share Roland’s Story!
SAMPLE POST #1
Twitter: Roland Sylvain was pulled over 20 yrs ago. He panicked & signed someone else’s name on 3 tickets. Now, because of this traffic stop, ICE is deporting him to Haiti, where he hasn’t been in 35+ yrs! @GovernorVA, STOP this deportation w/ a pardon & #KeepRolandHome!
Facebook: Roland Sylvain was pulled over while driving in Virginia nearly 20 years ago. In a moment of panic, he signed someone else’s name on 3 tickets. Now, ICE wants to deport him to Haiti, a country he hasn’t visited in 35 years, based on this traffic stop. @GovernorVA, stop this deportation with a pardon and keep the Sylvain family together! #KeepRolandHome
SAMPLE POST #2
Twitter: Roland Sylvain has lived in the U.S. for nearly 35 years. Now, ICE is trying to deport him for signing the wrong name on traffic tickets from nearly 20 years ago. @GovernorVA, a gubernatorial pardon would halt the deportation process and keep his family together! #KeepRolandHome
Facebook: Roland Sylvain has lived in the United States for nearly 35 years. Now, ICE is trying to deport him for signing the wrong name on traffic tickets from nearly 20 years ago. We are calling on @GovernorVA to grant Roland a gubernatorial pardon that would halt the deportation process and keep his family together! #KeepRolandHome
SAMPLE POST #3
Twitter: Hey @GovernorVA, Roland Sylvain is a 35 year resident of the U.S. and is facing deportation because of three, twenty-year-old traffic tickets! Please use your power of gubernatorial pardon to halt Roland’s deportation and to keep him at home with his family! #KeepRolandHome
Facebook: Hey @GovernorVA, Roland Sylvain is a 35 year resident of the U.S. and is facing deportation because of three, twenty-year-old traffic tickets! Please use your power of gubernatorial pardon to halt Roland’s deportation and to keep him at home with his family! #KeepRolandHome
Step 3: Share the Call to Action!
SAMPLE POST
Twitter: Roland Sylvain has lived in the US for nearly 35 yrs. Now ICE is deporting him for signing the wrong name on ~20 yr old traffic tickets. Take Action! Use this script to call on @GovernorVA to pardon Roland, halt his deportation & #KeepRolandHome: https://bit.ly/358pHpW
Facebook: Roland Sylvain has lived in the United States for nearly 35 years. Now, ICE is trying to deport him for signing the wrong name on traffic tickets from nearly 20 years ago. Take Action! Use this script to call on @GovernorVA to grant Roland a gubernatorial pardon that would halt the deportation process and keep his family together! #KeepRolandHome