Supporters of a New Fairfield father of two who is facing deportation rallied in Hartford in his defense Thursday.

Joel Colindres could be sent back to Guatemala at the end of the month. He received an emergency stay of deportation last summer, but after his case moved to another court, he was again told to leave.

He has until Jan. 31 unless courts intervene and hear his asylum appeal.

"He's a devoted father, husband," says Samantha Colindres, his wife, the mother of their two children and herself a United States citizen. "He's compassionate. He's honest. People turn to him for help because he's always willing to help."

Sen. Richard Blumenthal says he supports the protesters because Colindres, who arrived illegally in 2004, has worked and paid taxes and has no criminal record.

"He's never even had so much as a parking ticket in his life," the wife says. However in 2004 her husband defied an order to leave the United States.