ALBANY — As U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations expand across the country, concern is mounting among working people.
According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, one in five workers in 2023 was born outside the United States.
“These people are our co-workers, our neighbors and are valued contributors in their communities,” said CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan.
Several CSEA members have been detained since October despite having the documents required to live and work in the United States.
Our union is actively fighting for justice and is demanding the federal government be held accountable. These detentions have rattled our membership and have inspired many to become involved.
“Nobody should be punished for following the law,” said Sullivan. “Our union members and all employees deserve dignity, respect, and the chance to work without fear.”
CSEA’s advocacy continues amid deportation decision
SYRACUSE — More than two months after a rally outside the Syracuse Federal Building brought hundreds together to demand justice for detained SUNY Upstate Medical Hospital workers, the situation facing Alcibiades “Alex” Lazaro Ramirez Gonzalez and Yannier “Yan” Vazquez Hildago has worsened.
Alex, a United University Professionals union member, is scheduled to be deported to Ecuador on February 12, where he will be transferred to the custody of local authorities.
Alex’s husband, Yan, a CSEA member, lost his immigration hearing on January 22, when a judge ordered his deportation to Ecuador. An appeal has since been filed, and the case may still be reviewed by a higher court.
“This decision hits home for our union family and puts a very real human face on immigration enforcement,” said CSEA SUNY Upstate Local President Ali Cottrell. “Yan is a hardworking union member who, along with Alex, has built a life here rooted in service and responsibility. This affects not only their family, but our workplace and the entire Upstate community.”
Alex and Yan, who fled Cuba seeking safety and stability, were taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during a scheduled immigration hearing. Both had followed every step of the legal immigration process.
Their detention shocked co-workers and sparked widespread concern.
Since the rally, Cottrell said he has received frequent calls from CSEA members and community members seeking updates and asking how they can help the families.
“I talk to the families daily,” said Cottrell. “It’s incredibly stressful and painful for them. Right now, they’re trying to keep up with bills, their mortgage, and make sure nothing happens to their property so that, if they can return, they still have a home.”
Cottrell and other union leaders have attended multiple court hearings to show support.
Another CSEA member and Upstate worker, Mohammed Fofana, was also taken by ICE shortly after completing his weeks-long training orientation in early November.
Fofana was seeking asylum from Guinea and was recently transferred from the detention center in Batavia to a facility in Dallas. His next hearing is scheduled for April 7. According to Cottrell, Fofana has been unable to communicate with his family since the transfer.
Cottrell noted that members have shown empathy and confusion about how immigration law works.
“Some members understand right away, and others aren’t fully informed,” said Cottrell. “We’ve been trying to educate people on the process so they understand that people can follow every rule and still be put in this position.”
Cottrell has continued raising concerns with elected officials, including state leaders. While those officials cannot intervene directly in immigration court, he believes their engagement can still make a difference.
“They understand they can’t do anything legally, but their interest could lead to positive outcomes,” said Cottrell. “Hopefully, that awareness has some impact.”
Cottrell noted that Gov. Kathy Hochul took time during a recent visit to Syracuse to meet with Alex and Yan’s family.
“[Hochul] showed genuine concern,” said Cottrell. “She wants to see change at the federal level, and that matters to these families.”
CSEA continues to closely monitor developments, including the outcome of Yan’s hearing.
“As a union, we believe workers are more than just employees; they are people, family members and neighbors,” said Cottrell. “This outcome underscores the real human cost of immigration enforcement decisions.”
CSEA Central Region President Kenny Greenleaf also remains steadfast in his support.
“We stand in solidarity with Alex, Yan and all workers facing uncertainty despite doing everything asked of them,” said Greenleaf. “Together, as a union and as a community, we will continue to stand for compassion, solidarity and justice.”
— Nicholas Newcomb
Retiree member tells of fear, resilience and solidarity amid ICE crackdowns
Editor’s Note: Due to the sensitive nature of this story, The Work Force is not identifying the member or her spouse.
After 31 years working for a state agency, a longtime CSEA member thought retirement would bring peace.
Instead, she and her husband were plunged into fear and uncertainty amid the Trump administration’s intensified immigration crackdown.
The retiree, who asked to remain anonymous due to the sensitive nature of her husband’s immigration status, described months of anxiety after her husband realized his green card had expired while a renewal application was still pending.
Although he has lived in the United States since 1970, worked legally for decades as a New York City housing employee, paid taxes and retired with a pension and Social Security, the delay placed him at risk during a period of aggressive activity by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“We were terrified,” she said. “He didn’t want to leave the house unless he absolutely had to. Every time we heard about people being detained at 26 Federal Plaza, it felt like it could be him next.”
Their fear unfolded against a backdrop of ongoing ICE arrests and detentions, and a national climate the retiree said has had deadly consequences. She said she was devastated by the recent killings across the country, which she views as part of a broader pattern of state violence.
“I cried when I heard about it,” she said. “They didn’t have to kill her. They didn’t have to kill any of them.”
With the help of an immigration attorney, her husband was eventually able to renew his green card. Still, the experience left lasting scars.
“To see someone who’s done everything right be afraid to walk down the street—that hurts,” she said. “It really hurts.”
She now speaks out in support of marches and rallies defending immigrants and calling for the abolition of ICE.
“This country was built on immigration,” she said. “They’re targeting people who’ve been here 30, 40, 50 years, with no criminal records, just trying to live.”
Her message to fellow union members is clear.
“It could be any one of us,” she said. “We have to stand together, get educated, and fight back — because silence won’t protect anyone.”
— David Galarza
ORDA member to return home after detention
LAKE PLACID — An Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) employee and CSEA member who was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on December 8 is on his way home and expected to return to work.
Alejandro Bravo, 30, and his wife Mina Bravo, 26, are asylum seekers in possession of proper documentation to live and work in the United States. They have contributed to their community while following a legal path to citizenship.
CSEA ORDA Local President Donald Walton said the couple worked three jobs to support themselves while seeking a better life in Lake Placid, where they have lived for six years.
In November, Mina was detained by ICE and held for almost a month at a detention center near Buffalo.
Alejandro, who continued to work, sold their car to make the $12,000 bail, an amount four times his lawyer’s estimate.
Bail was posted on December 5. Customarily, release happens the same day, but Mina was held until December 8.
Upon her release, ICE detained Alejandro.
According to Walton, as this issue went to press, Alejandro had cleared a bond hearing, the last step to release and was expected home in mid-January.
During Alejandro’s detention, ORDA co-workers remained in contact with Mina to offer financial and emotional support, assist with grocery shopping, and help with court appearances and medical appointments.
ORDA co-workers also donated leave time to ensure Alejandro continued receiving a paycheck while detained.
“We are definitely their family here,” said Walton.
— Therese Assalian