A second Syracuse immigrant who was arrested and detained by federal immigration agents earlier this year is back home. Members of All Saints Catholic Church played a major role in writing letters and raising money to secure his freedom.
Adrian Ramirez was one of two men stopped by ICE agents as they left a work site January 16th. Both are undocumented. The other man, Jose Criollo, was released from the detention facility in Batavia two weeks later after making bond. Both are active parishioners at All Saints, and on Sunday, the congregation gave Ramirez a warm welcome home.
“And at this moment, I invite Adrian and Talia to come forward," Pastor Fred Daley said as the church erupted in applause.
Ramirez spent several weeks in Batavia before being transferred to a facility in Louisiana. Daley told the congregation he was talking to a church neighbor about Ramirez’s move south.
“She said, 'oh, my mother lives in Louisiana. Maybe she lives near the detention center.' We found out it was a half hour away. So Kylie's mother became part of the team, went over and visited Adrian, began connecting with all of us, helping to make sure that there was somebody there when he got out.”
Daley called it a miracle.
Ramirez expressed his gratitude as his girlfriend Talia translated.
“I want to thank each and every one of you for your prayers and good wishes," Ramirez said. "I want to thank the church, to Father Fred, Sharon, the person who gave me hospitality, and the daughter for making the plans, and all of you for not losing hope that everything would go well.”
Ramirez also thanked the Criollo family. Talia is the daughter of Jose Criollo, the other man detained and released. They know they’re among the few lucky ones. They met others lingering at the detention facilities who have little to no support or advocacy.
