Prison Chaplain fired over immigration status

The Pocono Record reports that the prison chaplain at the Monroe County Correctional Facility has been dismissed because of uncertainty over his immigration status.

Jerry Ingravalle, of Mountainhome, a Canadian national born and raised in Italy, said Wednesday his visa apparently expired while an application for permanent status was pending. He said the U.S. Labor Department and Office of Homeland Security told his attorney the problem would be straightened out by September and he was free to stay until then.

The county's attorney, John Dunn, said the county would violate federal law and risk incurring liability if it continued to employ Ingravalle, however. 'The information the commissioners have _ including someone who's a highly qualified immigration attorney _ is his status is such they can't employ him,' Dunn said.

Ingravalle, who is on medical leave following shoulder surgery, said he would be unable to continue medical insurance that pays for his physical therapy. He said he and his wife will sell their home but hope to remain until June when son Jonathan is scheduled to graduate from Pocono Mountain Charter School in Tobyhanna.