Li, who was brought to the United States by his parents when he was 11, has no real connection to Peru -- no relatives, no friends, and nowhere to really turn is deported. His parents were born in China but moved to Peru in the 1980s to escape the government's one-child policy. They were only allowed to stay in the U.S. through the end of 2002.
The California Democrat's effort came as Li's attorney said his removal flight to Peru would no longer happen today, as initially planned. The lawyer, Sin Yen Ling, said the immigration officer that told her of the change of plans did not give her any more details.
"Why? I don't know," said Ling, whose client is at a detention center in Florence, Ariz. "They wouldn't provide me with additional information, but I do think it has a lot to do with the advocacy work that's been happening."
In a phone interview late Sunday, Li said, "It's a miracle. Not a big one, but it's still something, and every day that I'm here means I have a chance to not get deported and stay in San Francisco."
To learn more about Steve Li's plight and what you can do to help, go to my previous post here, and the Help Bring Steve Li Back Home Facebook page here.