Letter to Thomas Feeley, Field Office Director of the Enforcement and Removal Operations, Buffalo Field Office - Release Couple Detained While Visiting Family in US Military

Letter

Dear Director Feeley:

As Members of Congress, we write to express our support for both Ms. Concepcion Barrios's and Mr. Margarito Silva's request to be removed from custody as the family works to exhaust all their legal options. Both are currently under detention after attempting to visit their son-in-law at the Fort Drum army base in Jefferson County, NY during the Independence Day holiday.[1] Continued arrest is likely to impose significant medical hardship on the couple--your agents have had to store medication and receive specially prepared meals from the family.[2] It is our view that the family has not received enough assurances that such practices will continue, or that appropriate accommodations will be provided consistently if the family exercises their available legal options while under ICE detention.

The arrest of the family raises significant concerns, particularly given the health considerations of the individual detainees and the family relationship to the soldier whom they were there to visit. Neither Ms. Barrios nor Mr. Silva have a criminal record and pose no immediate threat to our community or to national security. Given the circumstances and the non-existent risk these immigrants pose to our community, we appreciate your review of this request, and to exercise full and fair consideration of this request, consistent with applicable law, rules and regulations.

Sincerely,

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