Emotional Roundtable Follows ICE Detention of Allston Workers
UPDATE: In a powerful roundtable discussion, workers detained by ICE at the Allston Car Wash last month shared their harrowing experiences, igniting urgent calls for action and community support. The meeting, organized by Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, took place earlier today at the Josephine A. Fiorentino Community Center, drawing attention to the emotional toll of recent detentions.
During the meeting, community leaders and advocacy organizations listened intently as nine workers recounted their detainment. Seven of the workers have been released on bail, with one woman freed from a Texas detention facility just days ago. However, two men, identified as Pablo and Hector, remain in custody, prompting fears and uncertainty among their families.
“This is stoking bigotry, racism, hate, terrorizing our communities, and we’re all being made less safe by this terror campaign,” said Congresswoman Pressley, who has been actively involved in efforts to secure the workers’ release. The emotional weight of the stories shared highlighted the human impact of immigration enforcement, with one worker revealing he is awaiting a green card despite having a work authorization card in his backpack at the time of his arrest.
The daughter of one of the detained men expressed her growing despair, stating that she is losing hope for her father’s release. “These are nine hardworking God-fearing people stripped from their communities under the guise of mass deportation now,” said attorney Todd Pomerleau, emphasizing the unjust nature of the detentions.
Community support has surged, with a fundraiser aimed at covering legal expenses for the families of the detained workers raising over $70,000. “The only way to beat a dictator, and that’s what we have in the Oval Office, is with defiance,” Pressley added, stressing the importance of community solidarity in the face of adversity.
The situation remains critical as the community rallies around the families impacted by this ICE operation. As advocates continue to push for the immediate release of the remaining detainees, many are calling for comprehensive immigration reform to prevent such incidents in the future.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts and follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter.
