Union gives Gov. Baker 8k signature petition asking for MIT janitor's release

BOSTON — Holding signs reading "here to stay," about 100 people gathered on the steps of the statehouse Thursday to demand an MIT janitors be released from Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

"Deporting Francisco doesn't make America safe. It doesn't make America safe. It tears apart a family," said Laura Rotolo at the rally, an ACLU staff counsel lawyer.

Francisco Rodriguez, 43, first came to the United States in 2006 seeking asylum from his native El Salvador. The asylum request was denied, but federal authorities allowed him to stay in the country legally year after year.

He was taken into custody last Friday at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Burlington after a hearing with his lawyers to get more time.

It is now up to Rodriguez to appeal his deportation order to the immigration board after a judge determined it wasn't within his jurisdiction to stop the deportation.

Family members demanded action on Thursday, asking that Gov. Charlie Baker release Rodriguez while they await the appeal hearing.

"I want us to live in this country of justice," said his daughter, 10-year-old Melanie Rodriguez, through tears.

ICE says that Rodriguez was notified in June that he would need to make arrangements to leave and allegedly didn't. His lawyers said the government acted in bad faith.

Supporters of the ACLU, members of Rodriguez's union 32BJ SEIU and others were among the crowd at the statehouse.

"MIT, a major employer here in Massachusetts, has stood up from day one and stood up for his publicly, saying that Francisco is not who should be deported," said a representative from the union to the crowd.

The union delivered an 8,000 signature petition to Baker, asking him to call the Department of Homeland Security and urge them to release Rodriguez while they wait for the early August immigration court date.

Boston 25 News asked Baker about the petition later in the afternoon.

"The important mission for ICE is to focus on convicted and charged criminals...based on what I've read I don't this criminal meets that criteria," he said.

A friend has started a GoFundMe to help the family while Rodriguez is in detention.

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