Page 5 - Work Force December 2025

CSEA stands united to bring Upstate
workers home after ICE detention
Editor’s note: This edition went to press before the
scheduled hearings of Alex and Yan.
SYRACUSE — Hundreds of union members,
elected officials and community supporters
recently gathered outside the Syracuse Federal
Building to send a single, urgent message: “Bring
Them Home.”
The Nov. 10 rally was organized
by CSEA, United University
Professions (UUP), and the Greater
Syracuse Labor Council to demand
the release of Alcibiades “Alex”
Gonzalez and CSEA member
Yannier “Yan” Vazquez, two
SUNY Upstate Medical University
employees who were detained
by U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement (ICE) on Oct. 29.
The two men — a married
couple who fled Cuba seeking
safety — were taken into custody
by ICE agents as they arrived
for a scheduled immigration
hearing. Both had followed every
step of the legal process toward
permanent citizenship.
Their detention outraged
co-workers and community
members, who describe them as
dedicated, compassionate professionals and an
integral part of the SUNY Upstate workforce. As
this edition went to press, another CSEA member
employed at SUNY Upstate was arrested by ICE.
Our union is gathering more information.
“These workers are part of our Upstate
family, they are our co-workers, our neighbors,
“This is what
solidarity looks
like. We have
CSEA, UUP,
teachers, nurses,
city workers and
neighbors all
standing together.
No matter where we
come from or what
job we do, we all
believe that every
worker deserves
dignity, fairness,
and a chance to live
without fear.”
SUNY Upstate Medical Hospital Local President
Ali Cottrell urges the crowd to loudly chant
“Bring Them Home!”
and valued contributors to the hospital and
community,” said CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan.
“No one should be punished for following
the law. Our union members and all hospital
employees deserve dignity, respect and the
chance to live and work without fear.”
SUNY Upstate Medical Hospital Local President
Ali Cottrell emceed the rally.
“Alex and Yan are part of our
Upstate family,” said Cottrell. “They
come to work every day to care for
people and to make this community
better. What happened to them is
wrong, and we’re not going to stay
quiet about it. When one of us is
treated unjustly, all of us feel it, and
all of us will stand up.”
As Cottrell spoke, supporters
chanted, waved signs and called on
federal officials to release the men,
who remain in custody awaiting
immigration hearings.
“This is what solidarity looks
like,” Cottrell told the crowd. “We
have CSEA, UUP, teachers, nurses,
city workers and neighbors all
standing together. No matter where
we come from or what job we do,
we all believe that every worker
deserves dignity, fairness, and a
chance to live without fear.”
CSEA Central Region President Kenny
Greenleaf emphasized the importance of the labor
community standing together in solidarity.
“Two members of our community and union
family were kidnapped by ICE and are being held
in detention for doing exactly what our country
asks people to do: follow the law, show up for
their hearings, and work hard to build a better
life,” said Greenleaf. “CSEA stands shoulder to
shoulder with our labor partners, elected officials,
and community allies to say loud and clear: bring
them home, and let’s keep fighting until justice
wins.”
Other rally speakers also noted these
detentions are unjust and inhumane, including
Syracuse Mayor-elect Sharon Owens, State Sen.
Rachel May and Assemblymember Bill Magnarelli.
“Alex and Yan kept their word,” said Owens.
“They went through a process set up by our
country. Our federal government did not keep
their word.”
May also called for accountability from
CSEA Central Region President Kenny Greenleaf
rallying the crowd to keep fighting for justice.
national leaders.
“Shame on ICE for attacking people when
they show up for court hearings — because
they show up for work, because they pay their
taxes, because they are trying to make a decent
and lawful life in this country,” said May. “Bring
Alex and Yan home and hold this president
accountable to the law.”
Magnarelli noted that Central New York
has always been a home for immigrants who
contribute to the region’s growth and character.
“Their detention is just another example of the
cruel and inhumane treatment of our immigrant
community,” said Magnarelli. “They were following
the rules, obeying the law, and contributing to
their workplace and community until they were
caught up in this campaign to deport people at all
costs, with or without due process.”
Cottrell said the outpouring of support shows
what labor solidarity can achieve.
“It’s easy to talk about standing together,” said
Cottrell to local media. “But today, we lived it.
People came here because they know this isn’t
just an immigration issue; it’s a human issue and a
workers’ issue. If we don’t stand up for each other,
who will?”
Greenleaf noted that the union’s core mission
extends beyond the workplace.
“Our fight is for every working person, no
matter where they come from or what papers they
carry,” said Greenleaf. “Union values are human
values. And when one of us is targeted, all of us
stand up.”
— Nicholas Newcomb
December 2025 5 5
The Work Force