Solidarity & Presence needed!
Update: Jose Robles has been detained by ICE.
Call to action: #freejose #dontdeportjose #familiesbelongtogether #weneedU
Please sign this petition and CALL to stop ICE from tearing Jose and his family apart.
Number to call: Timothy Black, Supervisory Detention Deportation Officer 206-277-7378
Script [you do not have to repeat this word for word, but at least hit the three points mentioned below]
Hello,
My name is ___________________ and I am calling on behalf of Jose Robles ______________. I am calling because I felt ________ when I learned that Jose Robles was detained this afternoon by ICE agents Richard Cummins and Dan Deering in Tukwila, while trying to file a stay of removal. This is outrageous and we need to Free Jose now!
Jose is an important community member, his family will suffer severe, emotional and economic hardship without him. Jose has a form of relief pending and a judicial stay in place! I am calling to demand that
- The ICE office of Enforcement and Removal Operations quickly move in requesting USCIS to expedite Jose’s U-Visa application. USCIS will not accept requests to expedite from anyone that is non-ICE, and because agents have detained Jose Robles, they have the authority to send USCIS this request.
- The ICE officers respect the judicial stay that Jose Robles has been granted. While this does not shield him from detention, it does shield him from deportation. Do not deport Jose! DO NOT MOVE JOSE!
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Vigils in solidarity with Jose and the Robles family calling on ICE to not deport Jose and for USCIS to expedite his U-Visa.
Primary location is the Tacoma Detention Center, 1623 E. J. St, Tacoma 98421
Wednesday, July 17 | 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. | Hosted by Tacoma Area Faith Communities | Point people: Mike Collier and Rev. Shalom Agtarap | Alternative location: Tacoma Federal Courthouse (1717 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, WA 98402)
Thursday, July 18 | 7 – 8:30 p.m. | Hosted by Dominican Sisters & Associates of Tacoma | Point person: Linda Parish
Friday, July 19 | 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. | Hosted by Unitarians of Puget Sound | Point person: Roberta Ray
Sunday, July 21 | 2 – 3 p.m. | Hosted by Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice NW (JCIJNW) | Point person: Dina Burstein
**Update** This vigil will be held at the Tacoma Federal Courthouse, 1717 Pacific Ave., Tacoma 98402.
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Offer the Robles family financial support. Donations can be made to help pay Jose’s legal bills through a GoFundMe site. Or you can help with other family expenses through Gethsemane Lutheran Church’s website and by selecting “Sanctuary”.
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Previous information
Jose Robles and his legal team are meeting with ICE on Wednesday, July 17, to seek a stay of removal as he pursues a legal pathway to stay in the country with his family. Mr. Robles prepares to meet with ICE with the help of Rep. Pramila Jayapal, immigrant advocates and faith community networks. The Church Council of Greater Seattle and Gethsemane Lutheran call upon you, your congregation, and networks to continue our commitment to accompany Jose and the Robles family at this critical time.
Update from Gethsemane Lutheran Church: Sanctuary for Jose ends today. We ask for your prayers for a peaceful gathering with good outcomes.
**Ways to Support Jose**
Show up with Jose on Wednesday, July 17th from 12 – 4 p.m.
*Your presence on Wednesday is important!!*
–> Commit to organize a carpool and invite 3 friends to join you on Wednesday, July 17
11:30 a.m. Arrive at Riverton Park United Methodist Church in Tukwila
12 p.m. Press Conference & March to ICE Building
Riverton Park UMC: 3118 S. 140th St., Seattle, WA 98168
Parking available at the church. ~1 mile from Tukwila light rail station
1 – 4 p.m. Community Rally & Teach-in at ICE Building
ICE/USCIS Building: 12500 International Blvd, Seattle, WA 98168. Paid parking $8 cash
- RSVP & Sign up to help on July 17th: peacekeepers, shuttle drivers, set-up & clean-up volunteers needed http://bit.ly/RSVP-SupportJoseRobles
–> Sign the petition asking Seattle ICE Acting Field Director Bryan Wilcox to grant him a stay of removal and not detain him so he can go home to his family while his U-visa is pending.
–> #DontDeportJose #WeNeedU
–> Amplify Jose’s case on social media, in your congregation’s bulletin & newsletter, and to your national networks. Find updates & content at: www.sanctuarydowntownseattle.com &
Colectiva Legal del Pueblo’s Facebook: /ColectivaLegal
–> Offer the Robles family financial support. Donations can be made to help pay Jose’s legal bills through a GoFundMe site. Or you can help with other family expenses through Gethsemane Lutheran Church’s website and by selecting “Sanctuary”.
–> Download flier with these ways to support Jose and his family – and distribute to your networks this weekend at Lights for Liberty events, at your congregations, and family & friend socials.
Background: Last week, leaders of faith communities – including Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and Unitarian – and other supporters gathered to mark the one-year anniversary of Jose Robles being welcomed into sanctuary at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Seattle. The Rev. Joanne Engquist, Pastor, Gethsemane Lutheran Church, said: “Sanctuary makes real what too often is theoretical: the church’s mission to work for justice and peace. It has been a privilege to live out that mission in providing sanctuary to Jose. One year together has changed us all. It has deepened my respect for the courage of immigrants and it renews my commitment to work for change in this country’s immigration system.”
Jose awaits the approval of his pending U-Visa application, for which he is eligible to apply because he was the victim of a crime. A delay by the Lakewood Police Department in certifying that he was a crime victim moved Jose, facing deportation, to seek the moral protection of sanctuary one year ago on June 28, 2018. Gethsemane Lutheran Church took the courageous step of offering hospitality to Jose. He quickly became part of the church family, surrounded by a community of care, support, and solidarity. Jose is the owner of a painting business in Lakewood and longs to return to his work as the breadwinner of his household and be reunited with his wife and three children.