Jose Robles, an undocumented immigrant who has been living in sanctuary for more than a year, was arrested by ICE officials Wednesday while asking for a stay of deportation, his legal team told KIRO 7.
Robles' attorney said ICE promised her that Robles will be held at the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma pending a hearing and not deported at this time. She will seek his release on bond so he can be with his family.
Robles, a father of three, was set to be deported last June after spending 18 years illegally in the United States. He spent the last year in sanctuary in Seattle’s Gethsemane Lutheran Church to avoid deportation.
UPDATE: His legal team reports Jose Robles has been arrested by ICE.
— Essex J. Porter (@EssexKIRO7) July 17, 2019
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Robles planned to meet with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials at their office in Tukwila to ask for the stay that would allow him to leave sanctuary and rejoin his family. However, in doing so, there was no guarantee that he wouldn’t be taken into custody and sent back to Mexico.
Community members, immigration rights activists and elected officials joined Roble and marched with him to the ICE office beginning at noon.
Undocumented immigrant Jose Robles (white cap) hugs his family and walks into ICE HQ in Tukwila. He’s left a year in sanctuary at a church to ask for a stay on his deportation order. He risks being held today. Story at 5p on @KIRO7Seattle pic.twitter.com/vagt2noegy
— Essex J. Porter (@EssexKIRO7) July 17, 2019
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