Kona coffee farmer must return to Mexico in 30 days

HONOLULU (AP) — A Big Island coffee farmer has 30 days to remain in the United States after being ordered to report to immigration officials for deportation back to Mexico.

Andres Magana Ortiz of Kona entered the U.S. illegally nearly three decades ago in 1989 on the mainland when he was 15. He came to Hawaii in the late 1990s.

His lawyer, James Stanton, says immigration officials on Thursday told him he has to leave voluntarily at his own expense in 30 days.

Magana Ortiz is hoping something can be worked out before then.

His wife, Brenda Reynolds, filed a petition to put him on track for permanent U.S. residency more than 14 months ago, but it still has not gotten a response from federal officials. Hawaii’s congressional delegation earlier this week urged U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly to exercise his prosecutorial discretion to halt the deportation. And U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard on Tuesday introduced a bill that would change the man’s legal status and make him eligible for legal, permanent U.S. residence, according to a statement from the representative.

In the meantime, his family can just hope for the best.

“It’s scary,” Reynolds said. “But, you know, all we can do is just hope and pray that it turns up on our behalf.”

Ortiz’s case gained attention after a 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals judge criticized President Donald Trump’s administration for ordering to deport him. However, the court lacked authority to block the order.

West Hawaii Today reporter Cameron Miculka contributed to this report.