Free Nelson and Heiner

On May 13th, 2019, ICE detained two much loved and active community members, Nelson Lopez and Heiner Nolasco, after a routine traffic stop. Both passengers in the car, Nelson and Heiner were commuting for their work in construction when the police pulled the driver over for a speeding infraction. The police then convinced Nelson and Heiner to go with them to the police station where they said they wanted to have a chat. Technically no arrests had been made at that point but Nelson and Heiner were under the impression they had to go with the police. The police called in ICE, so that shortly after Nelson and Heiner arrived to the police station, the police handed Nelson and Heiner over to ICE custody. ICE placed Nelson and Heiner in detention at Strafford County Department of Corrections in Dover, New Hampshire. Today, as you read this, Nelson and Heiner remain separated from their families and loved ones.

Nelson is a new father to a two week old baby - his sister is currently helping to care for his newborn. It is critical that ICE releases Heiner and Nelson and allows them to reunite with their families who depend on and love them.

Nelson and Heiner's case is yet another example of an inhumane immigration system that tears families apart and targets respected and valuable people with deep ties to their community. Right now, we are in a fight to bring Nelson and Heiner back home to their families and community in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Both men help lead their community's active participation in a statewide campaign in Massachusetts to win drivers' licenses for all undocumented folks.

We urgently need to take action, to keep Nelson and Heiner at home and free.

Thank you for being in solidarity with Nelson, Heiner and their families during this critical time.

RECAP: Nelson and Heiner were detained in NH and transferred to ICE custody. They are currently detained at Stafford Co Correction in Dover, NH. Nelson is  a new father of a two week old child. This is an outrage. Please support the family in securing the funds to hire a lawyer.  You will be part of an effort to protect your neighbors from an immigration enforcement system that has spun out of control. Thank you for your support.