A Syracuse man arrested by immigration agents about two weeks ago is now out on bond. He returned from a detention center in Batavia to All Saints Catholic Church where he told the congregation about his experience.
In a story first reported by WAER News, Jose Criollo and his daughter’s boyfriend Adrian Ramirez were arrested by ICE agents on January 16th as they left a construction site on the city's east side. Criollo's family posted bond and he was released just in time Saturday to attend his usual 9 a.m. Sunday mass at All Saints.
“First, I want to thank God for giving me health and freedom to be allowed to be here with my family,” Criollo said in Spanish. His friend Charles Clinton interpreted. "I'm also thankful to Father Fred for all the support and the support of the community for giving me their heart and their soul."
Criollo is an undocumented immigrant from Ecuador who regularly translates gospel readings and serves as the church’s handyman. He told the packed congregation that he was placed in overcrowded holding cells with no privacy for about three days before moving to larger spaces.
“There were a lot of people suffering there, crying, desperate to leave," he said. "There were people that hadn't done anything wrong. There were people that were 70 and 80 years old, which I don't understand. I only ask God that justice be done.”
Even the gospel reading seemed to include fitting passages for Criollo’s return.
“...And blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied," Pastor Fred Daley said, reading from scripture.
Daley told parishioners their 80 certified letters and numerous phone calls to state and federal elected officials in support of Criollo all showed that love can overcome hate.
“And in the midst of the evil policies of ICE, the beloved community came together and said, no! No! No!” Daley shouted as the congregation applauded.
But Criollo’s future remains uncertain. He has another hearing Tuesday, Feb. 10. Meanwhile, Adrian Ramirez remains in detention and has a hearing on Feb. 6.
