The Common Council of New Britain, Connecticut is scheduled to consider a nonbinding resolution on September 10, calling on the highest levels of government to show mercy to a Polish family beset by health hardships and mandatory deportation proceedings.
Nowy Dziennik has done extensive coverage of the story of Vivian and Andrzej Nowakowskis. The 43-year-old Polish woman, who is also an American citizen, is awaiting a kidney transplant; however, the doctors at Yale-New Haven Hospital refuse to operate unless she has a caretaker during her recovery at home and someone who can take care of the medical bills.
David Lombardo, Vivian’s son from her first marriage and who is in the Marines, cannot take care of his mother, since he can come home only sporadically and for short periods. Besides, he expects to be redeployed to the Middle East for the second time. Vivian’s 70-year-old parents need assistance themselves. Her husband, 44-year-old Andrzej, who could provide the necessary financial support and assistance during the recovery period, was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials in April and is now awaiting deportation. Although Andrzej Nowakowski is in the United States legally and has lived here since he was nine, he faces deportation due to his criminal record. In 1989, he was sentenced for participating in a bank robbery and, in 2005, he pleaded guilty of possession of oxycodone, to which he is addicted. Although he already served time for these convictions, the deportation laws kicked in when he applied for a green card to replace one that was lost or stolen.
Even if the councilmen of New Britain pass the resolution that is sponsored by Phil Sherwood and Larry Hermanowski, it will not be legally binding. It will still be a nice symbolic gesture of support for the Polish family.
“The Nowakowskis are valued residents of New Britain, who volunteer in civic activities, are active in their church and have started a business,” the resolution states, referring to a Newington aerospace-parts manufacturing business. "The Common Council demonstrates its support for the Polish immigrant community that makes New Britain one of the most unique cities in America and supports others who come to New Britain to better their families' lives," it says.
Several councilmen announced their support for the resolution, including – as we read in the local paper New Britain Herald – Lou Silvio, the leader of the Republican minority in the City Council.
If passed, the resolution will be transmitted to offices of U.S. Senators representing Connecticut, Joe Lieberman and Chris Dodd, to Governor M. Jodi Rell, State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, and Donald Kent from the Department of Homeland Security. Chris Murphy (D-CT), who met in person with Vivian, sent a letter of support to the Department of Homeland Security.
