CLEVELAND, Ohio - Last ditch efforts to keep an undocumented worker in Ohio from being deported to Mexico have failed.

Jesus Lara Lopez of Willard, Ohio was forced to board a plane back to Mexico Tuesday morning just before 5:30 am.

You could see the sadness in his eyes as Lara Lopez walked into the airport ready to board a plane for Mexico to be deported.

Silent protesters held signs in support of the Ohio man who has been in the U.S. working and paying taxes for 16 years.

The Director of Ohio's Voice translated Lara Lopez's thoughts. "He said he can't believe this is happening.  The government is breaking up families.  He thinks it's actually a form of racism what's happening."

Lara Lopez is seen trying to comfort one of his young sons as his four American born children escort him through the airport to say goodbye not knowing when they will see their father again.

Lynn Tramonte, the Director of Ohio's Voice, says Senator Rob Portman and Congressman Bob Gibbs failed the Lara Lopez family and their constituents because neither stood up for these four American children.

Meanwhile, Republican Congressman Bill Johnson had this to say, 
"This unfortunate case underscores the fact that our current immigration system is broken.  America will always be a nation of immigrants.  What we cannot become is a nation of illegal immigrants - people our government doesn't know coming into our country illegally, and whose first action in America was to break our laws.  The lack of sound immigration policies and failures of Washinton bureaucrats to enforce existing immigration laws have led to illegal immigrants wrongfully taking advantage of opportunities that should be afforded only to American citizens.  The American people deserve better."

Ohio Democrat and U.S. Congressman Tim Ryan tells 21 News, "No one wants to see a family ripped and a father taken away from his children.  I was heartbroken when I heard of Mr. Lopez's situation.  In a time when we have a finite amount of resources, we should be using our money to go after criminals who have broken our laws, not those who serve no security risk at all.  This is a perfect example of why we need comprehensive immigration reform in this country.  I will be the first to admit that we must increase our border security, but we also need to create a pathway to citizenship for those who are already here, and are abiding by American laws.  President Trump and the Republican Party right now are intentionally scaring the American people to score political points.  As this situation shows, these are real people and real families.  We are the strongest country on the face of the Earth and can ensure our national security while maintaining humanity throughout the process."