Update on Detained WCCNY Member, Hector & How You Can Support!

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Today, a longtime Syracuse community member, husband, father,  worker, and Workers’ Center of CNY, member Hector Navarro was detained by Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) outside of his home after taking his wife Arely, to work. He was taken to and detained at the immigration office at 401 S. Salina Street (which is right behind Katko’s downtown office) this morning. The Syracuse Rapid Response Team and the Workers’ Center of CNY held a protest outside demanding Hector be freed and to speak out against this grave injustice. It is completely and utterly unconscionable that this barbaric and unjust immigration system will be keeping Hector away from his wife, Arely, and their three kids on Christmas. This is a double blow as their family has already been rocked by Arely’s fight against deportation as well. Below are a few immediate concrete steps you can take to be in solidarity with Hector and Arely at this time:

  • Donate to their YouCaring Fundraiser Page

Arely is still accepting donations through her YouCaring fundraising page for her legal fees and now for basic necessities for her family as her husband, Hector was the primary wage earner for their family. Please donate

  • Tell Katko Hector’s Story and Why We Need a CLEAN Dream Act

Hector was detained at the immigration office at 401 S. Salina Street (which is right behind Katko’s downtown Syracuse office) this morning.This horrific incident, tearing away fathers from their families just a few days before Christmas demonstrates why we are calling on Katko to push for a CLEAN Dream Act. More immigration agents and more border enforcement mean that more parents, like Hector will be ruthlessly torn away from their families and communities. When you call Katko, please tell him about Hector’s story and tell him we need a clean DREAM Act now!  Call details are here!

***Katko Action Rescheduled to Jan. 3rd***
Also please join us on January 3rd canvass John Katko’s neighborhood and tell him we need a clean DREAM Act.

  • Donate Money & Gift Cards for Hector and Arely’s Kids

Lastly, we will be taking donations for Christmas gifts for Hector and Arely’s 3 amazing kids. They have a young son who’s six years old and two daughters who are nine and eleven years old. This is certainly going to be a difficult Christmas for the kids, so we want to gather donations as a small show of solidarity with them for the holidays. Please drop off your donation at the Workers’ Center sometime this evening or tomorrow. If you’d like to donate email Nikeeta at nslade@workerscentercny.org.

We will continue fighting this cruel and inhumane immigration system. No more deportations.

Solidarity,

WCCNY

UPDATE 1/02/18

We have been in contact with lawyers to find out when Hector will have his court date (no word yet), we are currently working with United We Dream to create and circulate a petition to get Hector out of detention, and continuing to support Arely and the kids. We will have more details about all of this and more at the meeting so please let write me back and let me know if you can make this urgent and important meeting.
We are also encouraging people to write and send letters to Hector. Support is so important in times like these to remind Hector that he is not alone and there are lots of people in the community that are in solidarity with him. Please send letters to:
Hector Navarro Miranda
A205-021-464
Also Alrey and the kids are urgent need of some winter boots. Sizes are below.
Boots:
Lisania – size 6
Karen – size 6
Jesus – size 3
Arely – size 7
Please let us know if you are able to help help with the boots.
Some of you have asked about the letters of support.
UPDATE 1/10/18
We know many of you have have had few interactions with Hector, but you can talk on your letter about Arely and your support for her family which includes Hector. Hector has been a source of strength and support for Arely on her own immigration case. Both of them have complied with everything ICE has asked of them. Hector case was administratively closed on January 2017, so his detention was totally unexpected and devastating for their three US children who live in Syracuse and their two children who are in Guatemala. Hector has volunteer his time at the Workers Center in events like our yearly soccer tournament and workers rights trainings. He likes to play with his children and spend time with his family as much as possible.
Attached are two letters that Hector and Arely’s children wrote recently about how they feel after he was detained. You can see on the drawing how this is affecting the children. If you can write on your letter something about this, on how this separation is affecting their children that will help a lot. You can also say your are willing to continue to help once he is released, with rides, food, etc. We want to show the judge that Hector and his family have support and are part of the community.
 FYI, Hector does not have any criminal record and the only thing he is accused of is of working without documents to support his family.
He has lived in Syracuse since 2008.
here are the guidelines for the letter:
1. Introduce yourself to the judge and explain the relationship to Hector
2. Explain Hector’s good qualities and stress his dedication to his family and community, the fact that he is trustworthy, etc.
3. If you are willing, write if you could help with room and board in case it was necessary after Hector is out on bond.
 
The WCCNY is collecting the letters, please sign it and also make a copy of any ID you feel comfortable sharing with the judge.
Sign your letter and bring it tomorrow, along with a copy (or we can make the copy at the center) of your ID.  We need as many letters as possible.
Please also continue writing letters of solidarity and support to Hector personally. He got a letter recently from Ann and Ed and he really appreciated!
This is his mailing address in Batavia:
Hector Navarro Miranda
A205-021-464
Update 2/20/18
HECTOR IS FREE!
Thanks to his lawyer and the community support and organizing, HECTOR IS FREE and back with his family in Syracuse. We had a strong presence in front of the Federal Detention Center and at his bond hearing. Please continue to support the family’s you caring fundraising campaign here

1 thought on “Update on Detained WCCNY Member, Hector & How You Can Support!”

  1. Crystal Fang

    Hi WCCNY,

    My name is Crystal Fang, a Syracuse University student majoring in photojournalism. I read about Hector’s story in the Post Standard newspaper, and I’m so glad that he’s finally home!

    However, the issue of undocumented immigrants is still very concerning. I understand that Hector and Arely are facing difficult problems in their life right now, so I hope to make a short documentary film about them to share their stories that many of my classmates do not know about, and raise awareness for this issue.

    I am sincerely asking for your help to ask Hector and Arely if they are willing to be in this documentary film. If they are willing, can you put me in contact with them?

    Thank you very much! I appreciate your help!

    Sincerely,
    Crystal Fang

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