Original Text posted at Pittsburgh Legal Back Talk
by Mary Nell Cummings, attorney, Casa San José volunteer, and ELPC friend
On January 3, a Casa San José community member was picked up by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). He has lived in the U.S. for 18 years with absolutely no criminal record or any arrest or complaint. He has three U.S.-born children. His oldest son has stomach cancer, and the family has been told that there isn’t much more that can be done. ICE picked him up as he was going to give a friend a ride to work. ICE was not looking for him; he was at the wrong place at the wrong time.
We were able to get to ICE quickly, and by talking to agents and telling them of this man’s son’s condition, not only were we able to keep him from being transferred to Beaver County Jail, but ultimately he was released from the South Side office! If he had been transferred to Beaver County Jail, he would be in the system and it would be much more difficult to get him out before a scheduled bond hearing (which can take months). Time he doesn’t have because his son is so ill.
While we kept our client from being transferred, other members of the Casa San José Rapid Response Team did their magic—gathering documents, evidence, and doctors’ letters. Ultimately, we were able to provide evidence of our client’s son’s condition and the agents agreed to let him go—without even an ankle bracelet. This was nothing short of a miracle. The fact that our team was there made a world of difference. We were able to advocate for him and reunite him with his family at a critical time.
Of course, such works of mercy are only possible because of the dedicated leadership at Casa San Jose. It is an honor to play even a small part.