CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte teen, fighting an almost year-long immigration battle, was deported Saturday.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials confirmed they removed Pedro Salmeron, 19, from the United States.
According to Salmeron's family, the teen fled El Salvador and immigrated to the U.S. in 2014 to escape violent gangs, after his cousin was brutally murdered.
Officials said that the teen's removal took place in accordance with the final order of removal issued by a federal immigration judge.
"He deserves to be here," his uncle, Moises Salmeron, said. "They don't want to give him a chance."
For months, community activists joined Salmeron's family in filing court appeals and petitioning state lawmakers to stop his removal from the country.
A spokesperson for Rep. Alma Adams said the Congresswoman made calls to the Department of Homeland Security and ICE on Salmeron’s behalf, as recently as Thursday.
Family members believe Salmeron suffered from poor legal representation in his initial immigration proceedings.
“We provided a lot of evidence, police reports, news, all this kind of stuff,” Moises Salmeron said.
Pedro Salmeron still has a pending appeal in federal court.
“His case is not closed at all,” Moises Salmeron said.