Victor Toro has lived in the United States since 1984, illegally. Although a staunch activist for human rights, immigration and mobilizing his community in Mott Haven, he now faces “imminent deportation” to Chile, according to the NY Times. Toro has been battling for asylum for four years, after he was arrested in 2007. He had been traveling to various cities for immigration conferences when in Buffalo, immigration officers asked Toro for identification and all he could provide was an expired Chilean passport.

Toro, now 68, went into hiding after Chilean president Salvador Allende was overthrown in a coup by General Augusto Pinochet. Toro was later captured and imprisoned. He was tortured during his imprisonment. Toro was freed in 1977 and fled Chile, staying in Cuba and Nicaragua, and eventually winning asylum for him, his wife and daughter, in Mexico. However, he felt vulnerable in Mexico and crossed the border illegally into Texas, and eventually settled in the South Bronx.

In March, an immigration judge denied Toro’s asylum request.