We demand that ICE immediately parole and release all the Cuban asylum seekers detained at Northwest Detention Center. Approximately 30 Cuban asylum seekers are detained in the Northwest Detention Center at the time of this petition's creation. While their female relatives and children were paroled and released at the Texas border, they were transferred to the Tacoma facility where they have been virtually stonewalled by ICE. More than 14 have participated in a hunger strike since August 27 in an attempt to get ICE to move their processes along. This is the fifth hunger strike at the NWDC so far in 2017, which ICE and GEO Group claim is a model immigration detention facility. Since August 27th, strikers reported threats of being placed on IV and force-feeding, and some strikers were placed in solitary confinement. They also reported that GEO administrators did not monitor their vitals or physical health. Hunger strikers stated that ICE has given different excuses for not releasing them, including telling them that that they cannot determine whether they are Cuban, despite being provided with birth certificates and identification cards; others have stated that ICE has given no explanations or excuse, and some have not even received court dates or interviews with ICE authorities.

On August 4th, 2017, GEO guards placed 20 people in solitary confinement because they were protesting a guard assaulting Omar. When detainees yelled at the guard to stop, GEO accused them of "rioting" and placed them in solitary confinement. Over 15 people immediately went on hunger strike, and the NWDC 3 passed the 72 hours mark that ICE recognizes (before this, they were "refusing meals"). After day 5 of hunger strike and facing threats of force feeding and getting weaker due to the lack of food, the 3 decided to stop... for now. Tell ICE & GEO that we will not tolerate guard retaliation, and demand that the NWDC 3 be released immediately! We should not wait for whistleblowers to go on hunger strike for their call to end inhumane conditions. Geo and ICE have created a hostile and violent living environment to end their organizing, their resistance and their call to the public to demand and end to this nightmare. #FreetheNWDC3

Marco’s case represents the unhinged nature of ICE’s exploits, particularly under a racist and xenophobic president. Donald Trump drew on a false narrative of ‘good’ vs ‘bad’ immigrants to galvanize his base and garner greater public support. However, his expansion of the deportation dragnet demonstrates his intent to indiscriminately detain and deport immigrants. In response to this escalating injustice, we as a community must recognize and elevate the humanity and dignity of all people, regardless of any criminal history or aspect of identity. Without a holistic and inclusive movement, we will ultimately lose our struggle to cultivate peaceful communities.

FAMILY MAN: Joel Colindrés, a Guatemalan born, 14 year resident of the US was set to be deported on August 17th, after receiving notice during a check in with ICE on 7/21/17, giving him just 28 to leave the country or fight his case. Despite years of efforts to obtain legal status and working diligently to become a Citizen, Colindres fell victim to bad representation in addition to a lengthy legal process drawn out by the immigration system. If you followed his story closely since July of 2017, you may recall that just forty minutes before his flight on the deportation date of 8/17/17, his (new) lawyer was able to pause his removal by a verbal stay from the 2nd Circuit Court. Soon thereafter, his case was transferred to the 5th Circuit Court, causing him to loose that protection. Since then, he and his family have been laying low and keeping quiet while they wait for his I-212 to hopefully be approved; one of the last pieces to his journey that if granted, would make him a permanent resident. Since getting the initial deportation date back in July, Joel has complied with all of ICE's requirements, including checking in with ICE two times a week. It was at this recent check in on Thursday, December 28th, 2017 that ICE decided that his time is up, again, despite not being finished with the process. It is their system that is saying his time is up but yet their system that is not ruling on the paperwork in a timely manner. They then issued him another deportation date, giving him and his family another 30 days to live the nightmare they were just in four months ago. All he and his family are requesting is time. Time to review his case and let the process continue. Colindrés has been married to a U.S. citizen for almost eight years and has two American-born children, ages 6 and 3. Colindrés is a hardworking, tax-paying, and loving father and husband, who has worked at the same company for his 13 years here; paying taxes for each of those years via an TIN (Tax payer ID). He is not a criminal, doesn't even have so much as a parking ticket and gives back to the community in which he resides and owns a home in. In the last years, Colindrés has checked in with immigration and was granted a stay of removal. He voluntary went into the immigration process and had been actively trying to become a US citizen. All he is requesting is more time to stay in the United States with his family while he waits for his paperwork to be processed. We are asking ICE to reconsider Colindrés' case and keep this family together. Please also sign our second petition: https://petitions.moveon.org/sign/stop-the-deportation-17?source=c.em.mt&r_by=19584925 Please also follow the Facebook page for live updates and calls to action: https://www.facebook.com/savejoelcolindres/ Please help support the family with relocation expenses below: https://www.gofundme.com/reunite-the-colindres-family #SaveJoelColindres

Lourdes has lived in Ann Arbor for 20 years, she has three U.S. citizen children - she is a devoted mother and community member. Lourdes first came in contact with ICE in 2010, and after being detained for almost a month ICE "traded" Lourdes for her husband. Lourdes' husband was deported and Lourdes was allowed to stay in the United States. Every year Lourdes has to check in with immigration and every year she is granted a stay of removal. In March Lourdes's stay of removal was denied and she has been ordered to buy her plane ticket and leave the country by August 2nd. We are asking ICE to grant Lourdes a stay of removal and keep this family together.

Jose Valle Rodriguez is an Ypsilanti resident, loving husband and father. He has been detained at the Battle Creek Immigration Facility for almost a month after being arrested by ICE officials. Jose has been in the U.S. since he was 17 years old, 12 years ago Jose was a passenger in a car during a traffic stop, and because he was undocumented was taken into detention and was told he would have a court date with immigration. Weeks and months passed but he court papers never arrived because they were sent to the wrong address. Now years later, ICE wants to deport him to El Salvador, one of the world's most dangerous countries. If deported Jose's life could be in danger. Jose's own father-in-law was murdered by a gang and now they are threatening Jose and his family back in El Salvador. Please help stop Jose's deportation and reunite him with his wife and two year old son.

The recent hunger strikes by people detained at the NWDC have brought renewed attention to the deplorable conditions at the GEO-owned facility. The detention center affects not only more than 1,505 people who can be held any given day, but also their children, families, and neighbors who form the backbone of our communities. You can read the full letter at: https://www.scribd.com/document/352037160/NWDCR-Tacoma-Letter-2017

Chicago's Welcoming City Ordinance, which limits collaboration between the Chicago Police Department and ICE, does not protect all immigrants. Specifically, the ordinance leaves without protection many immigrants who have been criminalized or targeted by the Chicago Police Department, a department whose use of "deadly force" was described as "unreasonable" by the U.S. Department of Justice. The "carve-outs" mean that the Chicago Police Department is directed to work with immigration enforcement to deport anyone who has an open warrant, anyone who has been charged with a felony - even if they have not been convicted, anyone who has been convicted of a felony -- regardless of how long ago it was, and anyone who Chicago police department officers placed in the gang database -- which is completely up to each individual officer's criteria and without any checks and balances, or anyone who has an open warrant. Trump's policies of making all immigrants priorities, starting with people whose names he can find in lists like the gang database, make the expansion of these protections that much more urgent. A real Sanctuary city for immigrants would not leave those most targeted and vulnerable without protection from the Trump administration. The carve outs are arbitrary, do not increase public safety, disrespect due process and are extremely harmful to our community. +++++++++++++++ The expansion of the Welcoming City Ordinance is part the campaign to Expand Sanctuary, and is one of several pieces of policy that local organizations are advocating for at the City, including the elimination of the gang database, decriminalization policies, and measures to increase police accountability. Find out more about the campaign here: http://bit.ly/2qE9BOb #ExpandSanctuary

Mr. Rodriguez has lived in the U.S. since 2006. He has lived in the greater Boston area for 10 years, specifically in Chelsea for the last 6 years. He is the father of two American citizen children, 10-year-old Mellanie and a 5-year-old Jessica, and a baby on the way. For the past five years, he has been a janitor at MIT. In addition, he runs his own carpet cleaning company. He is a member of his children’s school parent committee, of the community organization Chelsea Collaborative, of the Church Tabernaculo biblico seguidores de Jesus, and a union member of 32BJ SEIU (Service Employees International Union) at MIT. Mr. Rodriguez has no criminal record, pays his taxes, and contributes to his community, church, children’s school and workplace. When Mr. Rodriguez arrived to the country, he applied for asylum in 2007. He was denied asylum in December of 2009, and his appeal was denied in July of 2011. He was later granted prosecutorial discretion and has received a Stay of Removal every year since that time. However this past month, when Francisco applied for a Stay, it was denied. If ICE grants Mr. Rodriguez a Stay of Removal, he can continue to work, take care of his family, and contribute to our community. In addition, next year Mr. Rodriguez’s mother, who is a legal permanent resident, will become a citizen. Soon afterwards, a pathway to residency will open for Francisco when his mother files a petition on his behalf. We ask that you grant Mr. Rodriguez a Stay of Removal so that he can take care of his family, particularly his U.S. citizen young children and elderly legal permanent resident mother, while he waits for his pathway to residency and citizenship to open. For as long as Francisco remains in the United States, I am certain he will continue to be an exceptional member of our community. ////////////////////////////////////////////////// Por favor conceda al Sr. Francisco Rodríguez Guardado Moción de Suspensión de la Deportación. Sr. Rodríguez es padre de dos niñas ciudadanas de los Estados Unidos. Él y su esposa está esperando un bebé que viene en camino. Francisco y su familia son miembros queridos por la comunidad de Chelsea. El Sr. Rodríguez ha vivido en los Estados Unidos desde el 2006. Francisco vivió en la área de Boston durante 10 años, y durante los últimos 6 años han vivido en Chelsea. Él es padre de dos niñas ciudadanas estadounidenses, Mellanie de 10 años y Jessica de 5 años, y un bebé en camino. Durante los últimos cinco años ha sido trabajador de limpieza en la Universidad MIT. Además, dirige su propia empresa de limpieza de alfombras. Es miembro del comité de padres escolares de sus hijas, de la organización comunitaria la Colaborativa de Chelsea, de la Iglesia Tabernáculo Bíblico Seguidores de Jesús, y miembro del sindicato 32BJ SEIU (Unión Internacional de Empleados de Servicio) en el MIT. Sr. Rodríguez no tiene antecedentes penales, paga sus impuestos y contribuye a su comunidad, iglesia, escuela para niños y lugar de trabajo. Cuando Sr. Rodríguez llegó al país, solicitó asilo en 2007. Se le negó el asilo en Diciembre de 2009 y su apelación fue denegada en Julio de 2011. Más tarde se le otorgó la discreción de la fiscalía y ha recibido una suspensión de su expulsión cada año desde ese tiempo. Sin embargo, este mes pasado, cuando Francisco solicitó una suspensión, fue negada. Si ICE concede al Sr. Rodríguez una suspensión de la expulsión, puede continuar trabajando, cuidando a su familia y contribuyendo a nuestra comunidad. Además, el próximo año la madre del señor Rodríguez, que es un residente permanente legal, se convertirá en ciudadana. Poco después, se abrirá un camino a la residencia para Francisco cuando su madre presenta una petición en su nombre. Le pedimos que conceda al Sr. Rodríguez una suspensión para que pueda cuidar a su familia, particularmente a sus hijas ciudadanas de Estados Unidos y a su madre residente permanente, mientras espera que se abra su camino a la residencia y la ciudadanía. Mientras Francisco permanezca en los Estados Unidos, estoy seguro que seguirá siendo un miembro excepcional de nuestra comunidad.

For years Cynthia has reported to DHS as instructed including on May 11, 2017, where she was told to report to BI Incorporated, a private contractor for DHS, for possible removal Honduras. Due to community support and pressure the removal has been delayed while ICE reviews the stay of deportation presented by her lawyer. Unfortunately, in an act reminiscent of a police state, she has been forced to wear an ankle bracelet so the government can monitor her whereabouts at all times. We call on the community to stand against family separation because it is cruel and unusual punishment. Stop her deportation! Keep Families together! No human being is illegal!

Javier deserves to be with his family and not be in they don't deserve to be in this state of limbo that they have been in for years. Javier is a good father who's main goal has always been to be with his family and take care of his children. USCIS has already considered Javier eligible for a U-visa but have not moved the case forward, citing his reentries for reason why. Every time Javier has crossed the border it has been to be reunited with his family, with his children. His family has struggled with severe psychological and financial hardship. His oldest daughter, Adamaris, is suffering from the trauma of having her father detained first by ICE and now of not having her father home with her while he is in sanctuary. His son, Javier Jr., has been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and now refuses to leave his father's side for fear of losing him again, therefore living with him in the church. We must ensure that our families are kept together, not torn apart. The approval of his U-Visa is the only way for him to truly be free and to be able to be with his family without the fear of being deported. Please send a message to USCIS by signing this petition to show support for Javier’s pending case.

In 2012, Cesar was facing deportation after a forest ranger turned him into ICE over a piece of firewood that Cesar didn't know he couldn't take, and a $50 dollar ticket. However, after a national campaign, ICE released him from detention and granted him prosecutorial discretion. Cesar had been reporting to ICE since 2013. On May 10, 2017, Cesar went to his routine check-in, but ICE detained Cesar and is trying to deport him once again. Nothing has changed in Cesar's case; he has no criminal record and is the main provider for his family. Cesar is a low-priority deportation and should not be deported. Cesar was born in the Mexico and has been living in the United States for the past ten years. Cesar’s father abandoned him and Cesar’s mother thirty years ago. Cesar’s mother was a victim of domestic violence and Cesar has always been there to care for her as she suffers from many health conditions. Cesar is terrified of being sent back to Aguascalientes, Mexico due to the severe violence and increasing number of deaths. Cesar has no criminal record and is the main provider for his ill mother. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ PLEASE MAKE A CALL TOO +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ After you sign the petition, please take a minute to call his deportation officer James O'Neill to ask that they grant his stay of removal: 804-330-8264. Sample Script: "I am calling to urge ICE to stop the deportation of Cesar Lara Rios (A# 205-298-328) and grant his stay of removal. In the past, Cesar was granted prosecutorial discretion. Why is ICE trying to deport him now even though nothing has changed in his case? He has no criminal record. A piece of firewood should not be a deportable offense. Grant Cesar's stay so he can remain in the U.S. with his family."