What: Media conference on deportation case over a piece of firewood
When: Monday, May 15, 2017 — 3:30 p.m.
Where: Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office, 263 Neff Ave., Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Harrisonburg, Va. — Virginia Organizing is holding a media conference on Monday, May 15 at 3:30 p.m. to ask Immigration and Customs Enforcement to grant Cesar Lara Rios’ stay of deportation.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has refused to stop the deportation of Cesar Lara Rios, local Harrisonburg resident, even though he was granted prosecutorial discretion in the past and has complied with his routine check-ins since 2012. 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.
“Deporting Cesar would be inhumane. It would undermine our society by depriving a family of their provider. It is a waste of our resources, as the federal government should go after criminals instead,” said Virginia Organizing member, Father Daniel Robayo.
Cesar was born in the Mexico and has been living in the United States for the past 10 years. Cesar’s father abandoned him and Cesar’s mother 30 years ago. Cesar’s mother was a victim of domestic violence and Cesar has always been there to care for her. Cesar is terrified of being sent back to Aguascalientes, Mexico, due to the severe violence and increasing number of deaths.
“My son cannot be deported because my son is not a criminal, he did not try to flee, he always presented himself at the ICE check-ins as he was told. He helps me with my medical expenses because I suffer from many illnesses. I ask the government to please not deport my son.” said Lara’s mother, Maria de Lara.
Community members and family are fighting the deportation of Cesar Lara Rios. Senator Warner and council member Richard Baugh have written letters of support for Cesar in the past.
To interview a spokesperson or press conference participant, please contact Isabel Castillo at 540-830-6023 or Isabel@virginia-organizing.org.
Virginia Organizing is a non-partisan statewide grassroots organization that brings people together to create a more just Virginia.
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