To: Brian Acuna, New Orleans ICE Field Office Director
Arrested for washing his car while brown: Free Erick Rodriguez, A DACAmented dreamer!
"We didn’t understand why the police officer was questioning us," said Alan Rodriguez as he tried to cope with the news that his older brother might be deported tomorrow. Erick Rodriguez, a DACAmented dreamer and immigrant youth leader, must be released under the stay of removal!
Why is this important?
Erick Rodriguez (A#204822213) is a DACAmented immigrant youth leader that is currently in ICE custody. On Saturday, Erick and his brother were simply washing their car when a policeman pulled up to them and claimed that they looked suspicious.
After passing breathalyzers, they were handcuffed. Because of the boys’ race, the police tried to connect certain personal items found in the car with illicit activities, which were unfounded and incorrect. After being questioned extensively, the brothers asked for a lawyer. Later, they were taken to Washington County Detention Center. Erick’s brother was released, but Erick remains in ICE custody and is awaiting transfer to Louisiana where he can be deported any time.
Erick graduated from Fayetteville High School and has been a longtime volunteer in both his church and his community. He is currently a participant in the Arkansas United Community Coalition’s leadership development program, Change Agents. Erick helps his mother with household expenses and taking care of his younger siblings. If he is deported, his family would face extreme economic hardship. In the past, Erick felt lost and inadequate due to his inability to be able to work legally. But DACA has made all of the difference in his life and he’s been able to find gainful employment.
We still believe that we have the possibility of keeping this family together. Please sign this petition to push for the release of Erick under the stay of removal!
Support Erick and his family as they tell ICE to stop collaborating with racial profiling. Free Erick Rodriguez!
After passing breathalyzers, they were handcuffed. Because of the boys’ race, the police tried to connect certain personal items found in the car with illicit activities, which were unfounded and incorrect. After being questioned extensively, the brothers asked for a lawyer. Later, they were taken to Washington County Detention Center. Erick’s brother was released, but Erick remains in ICE custody and is awaiting transfer to Louisiana where he can be deported any time.
Erick graduated from Fayetteville High School and has been a longtime volunteer in both his church and his community. He is currently a participant in the Arkansas United Community Coalition’s leadership development program, Change Agents. Erick helps his mother with household expenses and taking care of his younger siblings. If he is deported, his family would face extreme economic hardship. In the past, Erick felt lost and inadequate due to his inability to be able to work legally. But DACA has made all of the difference in his life and he’s been able to find gainful employment.
We still believe that we have the possibility of keeping this family together. Please sign this petition to push for the release of Erick under the stay of removal!
Support Erick and his family as they tell ICE to stop collaborating with racial profiling. Free Erick Rodriguez!