UPDATE: We Still Need Your Help to Stop Francisco's Deportation!
The fight's not over yet!
Thanks to all who have already taken action to stop Francisco’s deportation and keep him home in Chelsea! We've collected over 3,000 signatures across 2 petitions. You can read more about Francisco's case below and here.
On Tuesday, June 13th, Francisco went to his immigration check-in and was accompanied by more than 40 community members to bear witness, support him and his family, and take a stand against unjust immigration laws and deportations. Together we chanted and sang songs of solidarity as we waited for Francisco.
In the morning, ICE said that Francisco has until Dec 13th for his next check-in, however, just six hours later, ICE said that Francisco has to return for his check-in on July 13th with travel documents. This is urgent-- please call ICE and them to grant Francisco his Stay of Removal! Call:
New England Regional ICE office Immigration officer Gary Roltsch: (781) 359-7500 X7625
New England Regional ICE office (Burlington, MA): 781-359-7500 (General line)
Community Relations officer Alexia Koplewski: (781) 359-7511
Sample script: “Hi, my name is __ and I live in__. I am calling to ask you to grant Mr. Francisco Rodriguez Guardado’s stay of removal. His A-Number: 099-665-463. Mr. Rodriguez has lived in the U.S. since 2006. He is a father of two American citizen children and with a baby on the way. He is a member of his children’s school parent committee, of the community organization Chelsea Collaborative, of the Church Tabernaculo biblico seguidores de Jesus, and a union member of 32BJ SEIU (Service Employees International Union) at MIT. Mr. Rodriguez Guardado always pays his taxes and contributes to his community, church, children’s school and at work. He is a beloved member of Chelsea. In addition, Mr. Rodriguez’s mother who is currently a permanent resident will become a citizen next year and shortly after she will petition for her son’s pathway to residency and eventual citizenship.”
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More Information about Francisco
Francisco Rodriguez has lived in the U.S. since 2006. He has lived in the greater Boston area for 10 years, specifically in Chelsea for the last 6 years. He is the father of two American citizen children, 10-year-old Mellanie and a 5-year-old Jessica, and a baby on the way. For the past five years, he has been a janitor at MIT. In addition, he runs his own carpet cleaning company. He is a member of his children’s school parent committee, of the community organization Chelsea Collaborative, of the Church Tabernaculo biblico seguidores de Jesus, and a union member of 32BJ SEIU (Service Employees International Union) at MIT. Mr. Rodriguez has no criminal record, pays his taxes, and contributes to his community, church, children’s school and workplace.
Despite the fact that Mr. Rodriguez is a beloved member of our community, he is facing potential deportation.
When Mr. Rodriguez arrived to the country, he applied for asylum in 2007. He was denied asylum in December of 2009, and his appeal was denied in July of 2011. He was later granted prosecutorial discretion and has received a Stay of Removal every year since that time. However this past month, when Francisco applied for a Stay, it was denied. If ICE grants Mr. Rodriguez a Stay of Removal, he can continue to work, take care of his family, and contribute to our community. In addition, next year Mr. Rodriguez’s mother, who is a legal permanent resident, will become a citizen. Soon afterwards, a pathway to residency will open for Francisco when his mother files a petition on his behalf.
Please SIGN and SHARE this petition to grant Mr. Rodriguez a stay of removal and stop his beautiful family from being torn apart!
Stay tuned for more updates on Francisco's case and how we can all stand in solidarity with him and his family. For more information about how to get involved with immigrant rights work at Jobs with Justice, email natalia@massjwj.net.