"As soon as we found out, we were all shocked and surprised -- particularly because it's Josh," says Jason Hoke, drummer of the Epilogues. "He's such a kind, unassuming guy, and it's maddening to think he could be targeted as a threat to national security based on a technicality. A lot of us in the community stepped up as soon as we found out to do whatever small things we can to dig him out of those crazy legal fees -- or, if the worst case happens and he's deported, give him some money of his own so that he's sent out with love and support."
Lee came to the United States at age eleven when his father, a pastor, moved the Lee family to Denver to launch a grassroots Korean Christian church in Centennial. In the intervening years, the Lees have applied for residency twice and been denied the request twice. During this time, they lived in a relative grey area, awaiting the result of their second appeal until Josh Lee's own status grew murkier when he accepted a deferred judgment on a class-six felony charge earlier in the month.
We will continue to update this story as we learn more.
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