Father Cathal Gallagher can stay in the U.S. while Immigration officials review his case.
Story Created:
Jul 1, 2008 at 10:50 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Jul 2, 2008 at 6:17 AM CDT
After being told he would be deported for being in the country illegally, Father Cathal Gallagher has a second chance tonight to stay in the United States.
Gallagher was told in May he had to leave the country.
This morning, a staff member with Senator Tim Johnson called Gallagher to tell him federal immigration officials are reviewing his case.
Gallagher is being told he can stay....for now.
After a decade in South Dakota, Father Cathal Gallagher found his impending deportation a tough pill to swallow, even for a man of the cloth. "What's God saying? I thought I had played a fair game with God up until now."
Gallagher didn't sleep well Monday night: a lot of tossing and turning at the thought of leaving an area he says feels like his true home.
Tuesday morning, about 10, he had resigned himself to his fate when he answered a phone call: on the other end, a staff member with Senator Tim Johnson and five words he didn't expect to hear. "Do not leave the country."
While not a complete reprieve, the reviewing of Father Gallagher's case sheds new light on the possibility he will be issued a green card and stay in the U-S as long as he likes. "All options are open, the only option that's not open is returning to Kingsbury County."
Sioux Falls' Catholic Diocese has replaced Gallagher for the DeSmet, Arlington and Iroquois parishes.
Gallagher has contacted Bishop Paul Swain and while he has not spoken with him directly has been told the diocese response is positive.
Still shell shocked by the changing events, Gallagher tells me he is humbled by those who fought to give him this second chance. "I've done nothing to earn what came today."
The next step for Father Gallagher: a meeting with immigration officials in Sioux Falls July 14th to review his case and discuss what comes next.
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