1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

I’m writing to express my outrage at this administration’s deployment of ICE agents in our state and my extreme concern for Alfredo “Lelo” Juarez Zeferino. His arrest is an attack on immigrants, unions, and all Washington farmworkers. I live in Whatcom County, where immigrant farmworkers grow and harvest more red raspberries than any other county in country. These people aren’t just our neighbors, they’re a vital part of our communities and local economies. And people are scared. They have stopped coming to spaces like church and the library because they’re rightly worried about ICE raids. The way this administration is targeting immigrants with no regard for legal status or criminal record is deeply troubling. Immigrating is legal. Union organizing is legal. ICE isn’t going after “the worst of the worst,” they’re going after ordinary families. Zeferino in particular is a pillar of his community; Washington farms are better for the work that he put toward improving working conditions for farmworkers. I also believe these ICE arrests are being used to smother dissent among activists like Zeferino, who give voice to the struggles of vulnerable communities like migrant workers. This is fascism, straight up. I urge you to call for Juarez's immediate release and investigation into whether his arrest constituted improper retaliation for his activism and union involvement. These activities are fully legal and protected under U.S. law. People should not live in fear of being ripped from their lives for exercising their rights. Reasonable immigration policies that respect due process and human dignity are needed.