To: Department of Homeland Security
Release Henry and Offer TPS Protection to Central Americans Fleeing Violence
Less than 24 hours after lending his voice and sharing his story to act against the deportations of Central American immigrants in Los Angeles, the young Guatemalan Henry Sanchez Carias, 18, was arrested by agents of the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). His arrest has prompted a campaign for his release.
Sanchez arrived in the United States in 2015 to join his parents, who have lived in this country since 2001, and to escape the gang activities in his neighborhood, which had already affected his brother.
On Tuesday, he agreed to be featured in a media event organized by the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights in Los Angeles (CHIRLA) where he posed with a sign that read "Stop Separating Families". Henry attended with the intent of putting a face to the people who are being affected by these deportation orders.
This Wednesday, shortly before 6 in the morning, an ICE van pulled up outside of his house in the San Fernando Valley to pick him up. According to Jorge-Mario Cabrera, director of communications at CHIRLA, Henry was an active member of their organization.
The young man was arrested when he left his home on his bicycle to find work as a day laborer. According to Cabrera, ICE warned parents of the incident.
ICE has confirmed that Sanchez was arrested because of a deportation order issued by a judge in June 2015.
"Mr. Sanchez, who is an adult, is among the priorities of ICE, which include individuals apprehended crossing the border illegally after January 1, 2014. At the time of his arrest Mr. Sanchez had an expulsion order and had no pending appeals, "ICE said.
The young man has been transferred to the Adelanto Detention Center in San Bernardino County.
"Henry deserves the opportunity to be represented and present his asylum case for which he left his native country, Guatemala. The gangs, violence, and drugs threaten their life," says CHIRLA.
Henry Sanchez's arrest is part of the new phase of arrests targeting undocumented Central American immigrants in the US - ICE confirmed last week and this will continue between May and June.
Please sign below to join UndocuMedia / CHIRLA in urging DHS Director Jonson and ICE director Saldaña to release Henry Sanches and to offer TPS protection to Central American mothers and children fleeing violence.
Sanchez arrived in the United States in 2015 to join his parents, who have lived in this country since 2001, and to escape the gang activities in his neighborhood, which had already affected his brother.
On Tuesday, he agreed to be featured in a media event organized by the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights in Los Angeles (CHIRLA) where he posed with a sign that read "Stop Separating Families". Henry attended with the intent of putting a face to the people who are being affected by these deportation orders.
This Wednesday, shortly before 6 in the morning, an ICE van pulled up outside of his house in the San Fernando Valley to pick him up. According to Jorge-Mario Cabrera, director of communications at CHIRLA, Henry was an active member of their organization.
The young man was arrested when he left his home on his bicycle to find work as a day laborer. According to Cabrera, ICE warned parents of the incident.
ICE has confirmed that Sanchez was arrested because of a deportation order issued by a judge in June 2015.
"Mr. Sanchez, who is an adult, is among the priorities of ICE, which include individuals apprehended crossing the border illegally after January 1, 2014. At the time of his arrest Mr. Sanchez had an expulsion order and had no pending appeals, "ICE said.
The young man has been transferred to the Adelanto Detention Center in San Bernardino County.
"Henry deserves the opportunity to be represented and present his asylum case for which he left his native country, Guatemala. The gangs, violence, and drugs threaten their life," says CHIRLA.
Henry Sanchez's arrest is part of the new phase of arrests targeting undocumented Central American immigrants in the US - ICE confirmed last week and this will continue between May and June.
Please sign below to join UndocuMedia / CHIRLA in urging DHS Director Jonson and ICE director Saldaña to release Henry Sanches and to offer TPS protection to Central American mothers and children fleeing violence.
Why is this important?
We are calling on DHS Director Johnson and ICE director Saldaña to release Henry Sanchez immediately and to offer TPS protection to Central American mothers and children fleeing violence. DHS wants to deport Henry, but with your support, we can ensure they will release him ASAP.