March 27, 2017 - Francisco J. Rodriguez Dominguez, the 25-year-old DACA recipient who was picked up by ICE agents at his Portland home Sunday, was released from ICE custody on bond following a public outcry over his detention. Advocacy groups Causa Oregon, the Latino Network, and the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon (ACLU of Oregon) credited the massive public response to his story for the quick turn of events.
“We are thankful to everyone who called to ask ICE to release Francisco,” said Mat dos Santos, legal director at the ACLU of Oregon. “The phone lines were jammed up all day yesterday and today. Yet again, people have shown that they reject the cruel policies of the Trump administration.”
Andrea Williams, executive director of Causa Oregon said today’s news gave her hope.
“Families should not be torn apart. Dreamers and children should be safe in our state. Oregonians have the right to demand that ICE adopt more humane policies and tactics. We saw Oregonians speak out over the last 24 hours, and it resulted in Francisco’s swift release and reunification with his family.”
Carmen Rubio, executive director of the Latino Network said that she and her entire staff were relieved to hear the news. Rodriguez Dominguez works for the Latino Network coordinating a food pantry at Reynolds Middle School.
“Francisco, like so many other Dreamers, grew up here and is filled with hopes, dreams and desire to make this country, his country, better,” said Rubio. “We are relieved that he is home with his family, in the neighborhood he grew up in, and can return to work in service to children and families at the food pantry.”
The advocates stressed that despite today’s victory, immigrant communities are still under increased ICE enforcement. They said families should call the Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition hotline at (888) 622-1510 or the ACLU immigration hotline at (971) 412-2258 if they encounter ICE agents.
“If ICE shows up at your door without a warrant signed by a judge, you don’t have to open it to answer questions. If ICE claims to have a warrant, you should ask agents to slip it under the door or hold it up to a window,” said dos Santos.
Early Sunday morning Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents picked up Rodriguez Dominguez without a warrant at his home in southeast Portland. Rodriguez Dominguez, 25, has been part of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program since 2013.
Rodriguez Dominguez arrived in the United States at the age of five from Morelia Michoacan, Mexico. He has lived in the Portland metro area since then and attended Glenfair Elementary School, H.B. Lee Middle School, Reynolds High School, and Mt. Hood Community College to study information technology.
In December 2016, Rodriguez Dominguez entered into a DUI diversion program. He quickly completed nearly all of the requirements of this program, attended all his court dates and required meetings.
The groups announced they would hold a victory rally and “Know Your Rights” workshop on Wednesday from 5 p.m. – 6 p.m. at Holy Cross Episcopal Church at 17405 NE Glisan in Portland.
