Protesters speak out against detainment, transfer of Fayetteville man

FAYETTEVILLE -- More than 30 people protested Friday morning outside the Washington County Detention Center calling for the release of a Fayetteville man.

Alan Rodriguez, 24, was arrested Sept. 19 for spray painting surfaces and light poles in Gordon Long Park and public intoxication, according to a probable cause affidavit from the Washington County Sheriff's Office.

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Rodriguez was charged with criminal mischief, said Matt Durrett, Washington County prosecutor. Charges against Rodriguez were dropped after he paid restitution for the damage.

Under the 287(g) agreement between Washington County sheriff and immigration officials, undocumented people detained in the facility receive a 48-hour hold by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

"He's been in jail for four months," said Kenny Arredondo, organizer with the Equipo de Defensa al Immigrante Immigrant Defense Team.

The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 added Section 287(g) to the Immigration and Nationality Act, according to the ICE website. The section of law authorizes federal agreements with state and local law enforcement agencies permitting designated officers to do limited immigration law enforcement functions.

Rodriguez is being held under ICE'S jurisdiction, according to a news release by Equipo de Defensa al Inmigrante and Allies. He's expected to be transferred to an Immigration Detention Facility in Louisiana today.

Rodriguez's brother, Kevin Rodriguez, attended the protest in support of his brother.

Alan Rodriguez was in the process of legalizing his status in the United States through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals immigration policy prior to his arrest, said Kevin Rodriguez.

It's unclear why ICE has detained his brother for four months, he said.

"ICE has put a hold on him and they still won't give us any information," Rodriguez said. "We're putting pressure on Washington County so that they can release Alan, because they already dropped the charges, and there's no reason for him to be sent Louisiana."

Rodriguez, 20, said he's the only member of his immediate family that's a U.S. citizen, and his brother's detainment has put a strain on his family.

"My mom has her own independent business and it's a lot harder on her," he said. "Every time she's seen my brother in there, she's heartbroken."

Protesters hope to shine a light on the injustice of 287(g), Arredondo said.

"This is one case of many, and we need the same action we have here right now," he said of the protest. "We need that same energy where it matters, in the court rooms."

Arredondo said protesters are seeking Rodriguez's release, as well as to build awareness concerning the manner in which 287(g) is impacting families.

"We need to speak up against 287(g)," Arredondo said. "We need to organize together to understand how this works and how to dismantle it."

Messages to ICE officials requesting more information were not answered Friday morning.

NW News on 01/18/2020