Thank you for all of your calls and petition signatures these past few weeks, it seems like our work at the Broward Detention Center is paying off. On Monday two people were released.

On Tuesday we had more news, this time not all good. Julio Blanco was deported, despite having a clean record and being a perfect match for discretion. Julio is now in Mexico. Our other urgent case, Luis Villenueva received word that a temporary Stay of Removal was granted buying him a few extra days. Eduardo Cifuentes was released after being detained for 4-months. Here he is with his family:

The pressure we are putting on the detention center is working. Several of those released told us that the deportation officers have actually started to talk to some detainees to see if they qualify for release and discretion. This means we need to keep the pressure up.

Now the other bad news. No one was released as a result of pressure from Senator Nelson because the Senator is not putting any pressure on ICE or anyone else. So far Senator Nelson has refused to help any of the families we have contacted his staff about. For Julio’s case the senator’s office specifically told the family, “We cannot do anything, once Julio is deported we can write a letter asking ICE why they deported him.”

Is this acceptable to you? If we are going to have any chance at getting Luis Villanueva or Samuel Soto or Cluadio Rojas or Inga or Feng or the 100 other detainees released we need strong leadership from Senator Nelson, the democrat in Florida!

TAKE ACTION: “Senator Nelson: Why Won’t You Take a Stand for Immigrants in Florida?”

Washington D.C.: 202-224-5274
Orlando: 407-872-7161
Tallahassee: 850-942-8415
Miami: 305-536-5999
Broward: 954-693-4851

“Hi, I was calling to ask why the senator won’t take a stand to support immigrants detained at the Broward Detention Center? I know the senator supports the DREAM Act, but does this mean he doesn’t support other immigrants? Why did the senator not help Julio Blanco who is now in Mexico and afraid for his life?”

Optional Talking Points:

• Claudio Rojas was a on a 30 day hunger strike asking for a letter of support from the Senator, why did he refuse to do one?
• Is the Senator afraid to come out publicly in support of immigrants?
• How are we supposed to push Senator Rubio to take a stand when our democrat won’t take action?

We are on our way to an event with the Senator and plan on putting him on the spot. We need you to keep the pressure on him and we’ll do the same.