Felipe Molina Mendoza (left) and his husband, Francisco Vargas Guadalupe (right) prepare letters of support in an effort to appeal for Mendoza to gain United States citizenship.  Mendoza, who has lived in America for most of his life, is an und
Through it all, Mendoza still tries to stay positive in the face of his circumstances, although he sometimes finds it difficult.  "Sometimes it is hard to maintain a positive attitude when there is so much going against you.  One thing I h
Because of his homosexuality, Mendoza faced much adversity in Mexico, including persecution, stalking and harassment, causing him to apply for asylum in the United States.  Vargas, his now husband whom he met at Riverside High School when he wa
On March 28, Mendoza had to go to the Department of Homeland Security in Charlotte for his Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) check-in.  Although Mendoza has done nothing wrong and prepared all documents, there was a small chance that, d
Mendoza was not detained, but must come back to the Department of Homeland Security in June for another ICE check-in.  Vargas and Mendoza are trying to get the documents ready to appeal deportation before his next check-in.  "This has affe
Mendoza and Vargas still try to find little joys in life, such as spending time with friends and one another at the movies.  "Francisco has been the person that makes me see happiness in all of this.  His outgoing personality is contagious
Vargas and Mendoza embrace before Vargas heads back to Charlotte for the week.  This coming weekend will be the first they have not spent together since their marriage in February.  "We are working on having our apartment soon when he is a
Mendoza will wait until August until his case is determined again, but is working on the process of appealing with Vargas through marital grounds.  "My goal is to finally be out of the grasp of this immigration loop that has affected me for so