Deportation of Iowa City man not justified

To the editor:

Recently, Max Villatoro of Iowa City was deported to Hondorus for a couple of offenses he committed in 1999. Why did they decide to deport Villatoro now for the offenses he committed in 1999? He received a sentence for probation for his offenses and has long since completed his probation and has not been in trouble with the law since. He now has a wife and four children who are dependent on him. This is no time to deport Villatoro.

If they wanted to deport him, why didn't they deport him in 1999? He has gotten a work permit which granted him legal status in the United States and has abided by the law. If an individual is going to be deported on a crime that they committed, then they should be deported immediately after they serve their sentence which in many cases was a short jail sentence, not 15 years later especially if they haven't gotten in trouble with the law. Deporting Villatoro for a couple of offenses he committed over 15 years ago and has long since completed his sentence is like trying him twice for the same crime.

Paul Adams

Stanwood