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Family, community seize ‘Second Chance’ to stop deportation of father of four, business owner
Detroit, May 18, 2012: Today, the family of Gustavo Vargas returned to the offices of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to deliver hundreds of petition signatures demanding he not be deported. The community that thought Vargas’ deportation was imminent has since learned that he is still in the U.S. and has thus seized on the chance to intervene and keep his family together.
The family was joined by supporters from the Alliance for Immigrants Rights, One Michigan, the United Auto Workers, the Metro Detroit AFL-CIO, St. Anne’s Catholic Church, the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters, and Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church.
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Senator Coleman Young Jr, Father Leo Reilly of St. Anne’s Church, AIR Volunteer Organizer Roxanne Rodríguez, president of the Detroit AFL-CIO, Christos Michalakis, and Rogelia Vargas, spouse to Gustavo.
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At the rally and petition “Too many families are still being ripped apart by our immigration system. Parents and students were promised change. Instead, we’re seeing more pain inflicted on our communities. The Obama Administration needs to do more to keep our families together, immediately.”
During the rally, Christos Michalakis, president of the Metro Detroit AFL-CIO, delivered the petitions to ICE as dozens of supporters marched and chanted. Hundreds of residents have signed a petition asking the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to stick to its professed priorities of only deporting dangerous criminals, a category that Gustavo Vargas, a father of four and business owner employer of three, does not fall into.
“I’ve been inspired by the bravery of the Vargas family, who have stood up and spoken out, despite their fear,” said Ryan Bates, Executive Director of the Alliance for Immigrants Rights. “No matter what happens, they are bringing hope and solidarity to the community. More families who know the truth about our broken immigration system need to tell their story.”
The demonstration was joined by local supporters State Senator Coleman A. Young II and State Representative Rashida Tlaib.
On the Internet: Information can be found at the Alliance for Immigrant Rights and Reform’s Facebook page. For more information on One Michigan visit: www.1michigan.org
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