UPDATE - AUG 30: Romulo Avelica was granted release with a bond given that the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) vacated the 2014 order of removal. Separated for six months, HE IS NOW WITH HIS FAMILY, and has a renewed purpose to fight injustice and advocate for all immigrants being detained without due process. These are his words reflecting on his detention and release, and this story describes his first day out.

Romulo Avelica-Gonzalez was detained by two ICE agents on TUE FEB 28 2017 on his way to drop-off two of his daughters to school. He is currently being held with a deportation order at the privately operated federal prison in Adelanto (ICE Case A# 095 776 645).

Romulo is age 48, works at a restaurant, and has been in the US since 1991 (more years in US than Mexico). He lives with his wife and US citizen daughters Brenda age 24, a medical assistant; Jocelyn age 19, a Certified Nursing Assistant; Fatima age 14, 9th grade student at Academia Avance;and Yuleni age 13, 7th grade student at Academia Avance. He also is uncle to Avance alumnae Felicitas, age 21 student at UCSD, and her sister Diana, age 18 student at USC. Romulo has been coaching Fatima, Yuleni and Diana over the last six months as they train for the upcoming Los Angeles Marathon. The family rents an apartment in Northeast Los Angeles. They are all True Dodger Blue.

Funds collected will off-set the costs of legal expenses needed to secure his release, and follow-up actions to support the families "U" Visa application. They are working with a highly recognized and accomplished immigration law firm, with a clear strategy to resolve his situation. But these actions will take time, and costs will add up. His case is bolstered by strong support from all the local, state and federal elected officials serving Los Angeles, also from several immigrant rights groups, such as NDLON and CHIRLA, and by the school his daughters and nieces attend, and/or graduated from, Academia Avance in Highland Park.

The announced shift in immigration policy by the new President to a “ merit -based” system prioritizes the benefits to companies, and upturns the historic American tradition of family unity. The detention of Romulo is having a severe impact on the Avelica family. But their story is now serving to rally a public outcry against this not-great American President.

Please donate to keep the Avelica family strong as they fight ICE for the release of Romulo.

Inquiries:

Jennifer Cuevas <jeneratemedia@gmail.com>

Ricardo Mireles <Ricardo.Mireles@AcademiaAvance.com>