By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2025-04-01 20:46:35 | Updated at 2025-04-03 00:22:22
1 day ago
A Haitian man who was sponsored by a Missouri pastor and has become part of his family has been ordered to leave the United States within just 30 days after changes to immigration policy under the Trump administration.
Wendy (Wendsy) Desrivieres, who lost both his parents at a young age, arrived in the US in April 2024 under a parole program that originally granted him a two-year stay.
Now, the Department of Homeland Security has terminated certain parole programs for nationals of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela - leaving Desrivieres with only until April 24 to leave the country.
'We've done everything legally,' Pastor Ralph Morris of VCU Church in Ray County told WDAF-TV. 'We don't understand what we've done wrong.'
Desrivieres entered the country legally through the Refugee Parole Program - the only option available since the US Embassy in Haiti closed in August 2023.
'He has appeared twice within the Immigration Service,' Morris, who has sponsored Desrivieres for over a decade, told the outlet.
'He's been interviewed. He's been fingerprinted. He has a permanent residence. They know where he is. They know what he is doing.'
Morris added that Desrivieres has a Social Security card and full-time employment in the US.
A Haitian man who was sponsored by a Missouri pastor and has become part of his family, has been ordered to leave the United States within just 30 days after changes to immigration policy under the Trump administration
Morris, who has been with VCU Church for 34 years, is also a board member for a mission group that has established seven churches and four schools in Haiti with approximately 2,000 children enrolled. It was through this program that he met Desrivieres and his younger brother
The family has also applied for a green card but has received little information about its status.
'We've had people write letters, notarize them. We have affidavits, people verifying his character. We just want somebody to listen-somebody to hear us and answer some questions,' Morris said.
'In my mind, I'm thinking, "We've got everything processed … Why is he getting a letter of deportation?"'
If deported, Desrivieres faces dire circumstances and could end up homeless.
'If he is returned to Haiti on April 24, when he walks off that plane, he is immediately homeless, because he has already surrendered his apartment,' Morris said.
'He has given up his transportation, his motorcycle that he owned. He has no job [in Haiti], no source of income whatsoever. We've been given 30 days to do this; it's just not enough time, and we don't understand what we've done wrong.'
The Homeland Security document obtained by WDAF-TV stated: 'If you have not obtained a lawful basis to remain in the United States and do not depart the United States by the date your parole terminates, you will begin to accrue unlawful presence in the United States unless you are otherwise protected from such accrual.'
Morris, who has been with VCU Church for 34 years, is also a board member for a mission group that has established seven churches and four schools in Haiti with approximately 2,000 children enrolled.
It was through this program that he met Desrivieres and his younger brother.
'He needed the support, and Diana and I chose to support him,' Morris said.
Born and raised in Haiti, Desrivieres fled his homeland due to rampant gang violence.
Wendy (Wendsy) Desrivieres, who lost both his parents at a young age, arrived in the US in April 2024 under a parole program that originally granted him a two-year stay
Now, the Department of Homeland Security has terminated certain parole programs for nationals of Cuba , Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela - leaving Desrivieres with only until April 24 to leave the country
Desrivieres entered the country legally through the Refugee Parole Program - the only option available since the US Embassy in Haiti closed in August 2023. Morris added that Desrivieres has a Social Security card and full-time employment in the US
'We are not safe by the gangs,' Desrivieres told WDAF-TV.
The orphaned man met the Morris family more than 10 years ago and quickly formed a deep bond.
'They replaced my family, my mom and dad. I lost my mom when I was 11. I lost my dad when I was 8,' he explained. 'I don't know what can I say to let them know how much I love them.'
Despite his uncertain future, Desrivieres is turning to his faith.
'I follow Him,' he told the outlet. 'This is the only thing I can do.'
Desrivieres is not the only one dealing with this issue, Morris emphasized.
'There are 530,000 people that have received this notification. They have to be gone. They have to leave our country within the next 30 days,' he said.
