Francisco Rodriguez wore a white prison uniform with the letters "ICE" U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement emblazoned in black across his back. He had a weary smile on his face as we sat down in a family meeting room at the Suffolk County House of Corrections on a recent afternoon. There were games and puzzles stocked on shelves and Sesame Street posters lining the walls. Rodriguez's family, though, hasn't been able to visit him since he was arrested on July 13.
"I miss everything. Honestly, I miss everything," he said.
Rodriguez's wife gave birth to their first son last week, but he has yet to meet the newborn. Rodriguez requested to visit his son and wife in the hospital but his request was denied by ICE, which cited his ongoing court case and potential safety concerns.
Rodriguez says the whole ordeal has been hard on his family, especially his 10-year-old daughter Mellanie.
"She was, she was having nightmares about me that she, she sees me dead," Rodriguez says. "And she was crying a couple days."
Rodriguez, who has no criminal record and works as a janitor at MIT, arrived in the U.S. in 2006 after fleeing gang violence in El Salvador. He was denied asylum in 2011, but had been routinely granted permission to stay in the country under what's called prosecutorial discretion. Then last month he was taken into federal custody during a check-in with ICE.
Shawn Neudauer, a spokesman for ICE, said in a statement that Rodriguez was arrested after he failed to make timely arrangements for his departure back to El Salvador.
The day after he was detained, Rodriguez'sdaughter Mellanie spoke to the media, fighting back tears.
"The president said he was only taking criminals out of this country and my dad doesn't have any criminal record," she said with a whimper. "I hope and I'm going to pray for my dad to be together with all my family again."
Rodriguez has become a public figure in the debate over immigration. His case exemplifies ICE's expanded enforcement priorities, and he's gained the support of the state's congressional delegation, with Massachusetts U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Edward Markey both calling for his release.
In order to really understand Rodriguez's situation, we need to go back to 2005, before he left El Salvador.
"I study, I do my college in El Salvador. I have my own business selling cars and have a car wash too. And I was, I was doing wonderful but I have an issue with the gang members. They try extortion and they kill one of my employees too," he recalls in imperfect English.
Rodriguez filed a police report in 2005 documenting a fight between one of his employees and a gang member. Rodriguez broke up the fight andthe alleged gang member threatened to kill him.
The gangs showed up later at his car wash demanding money, according to the police report. Shaking down local business owners is a routine way for gangs to make money in El Salvador. The car wash was on a busy commercial street which was good for business but, Rodriguez says, it was also in between two different gang territories: split betweenMara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, and 18th Street.
Rodriguez paid for private security for a while but says he never really felt safe. So in 2006 he illegally crossed the U.S.-Mexico border.
"It was like a life decision, to stay or not stay, because you have to find a way to live," he says.
Rodriguez eventually applied for asylum, but he was denied. Since 2011 he's checked in regularly with ICE agents and has been routinely granted permission to stay in the country under prosecutorial discretion. During that time, he's created a life in Chelsea where he started his own carpet cleaning business.
"I'm focused on, on work and support my family and follow all the rules from the government," he says. "Just try to deal with everything that I had to be responsible. Tried to live, I would say, the American dream. I don't know, now it's the nightmare dream or something like that."
ICE agents have been given broader authority under President Trump's beefed-up enforcement policies,arresting more immigrants with no criminal backgrounds whose only offense may be entering the country without authorization.
Rodriguez pauses for a moment when asked what might happen if he's deported to El Salvador, where he fears retaliation from the gangs. He says he's easily identifiable because of a purplish skin discoloration that he callsa birthmark. He drops his head, full of thick white hair, into his hands and begins to cry.
"I don't know if I can keep helping my children. I don't know howbut I have to be a ghost over there. My problem is, like you see, is I have this birth mark. I'd be so obvious," he says. "That's very easy to get recognized. Over there is a small country."
Rodriguez'slegal team is exploring the appeals process and in the meantime heremains at the Suffolk County House of Corrections. He says he knows these things take time and he's trying to be patient.
Read the original post:
'I Miss Everything': Chelsea Man Awaits Deportation Ruling From Behind Bars - WBUR
- Carpet Cleaning - Find Local Carpet Cleaners | Chem-Dry - April 5th, 2023 [April 5th, 2023]
- How To Clean Carpet - The Home Depot - April 5th, 2023 [April 5th, 2023]
- Carpet Cleaning Experts | Zerorez Pittsburgh - October 5th, 2021 [October 5th, 2021]
- 2021 Carpet Cleaning Prices | How Much Does Carpet ... - October 5th, 2021 [October 5th, 2021]
- Johnsons Dry Cleaners | UK Dry Cleaning & Laundry Service - October 5th, 2021 [October 5th, 2021]
- Carpet Cleaning in Naperville, IL | Executive Green Carpet ... - October 5th, 2021 [October 5th, 2021]
- The carpet stain removal hack that only requires you...to buy some beer - Real Homes - October 5th, 2021 [October 5th, 2021]
- This Viral Carpet Cleaner Has Been All Over TikTok But Does It Work? - Yahoo Lifestyle - October 5th, 2021 [October 5th, 2021]
- TikTok Shopping and the Rise of 'Social Commerce' - The New York Times - October 5th, 2021 [October 5th, 2021]
- Readers' Choice 2021 winners announced - The Andalusia Star-News - Andalusia Star-News - October 5th, 2021 [October 5th, 2021]
- Carpet Cleaning Services - Carpet Cleaners, Rug Cleaners - July 28th, 2021 [July 28th, 2021]
- Residential Carpet Cleaning | Oxi Fresh - July 28th, 2021 [July 28th, 2021]
- Carpet Cleaning | Jim's Carpet Cleaning Services - 131 546 - July 28th, 2021 [July 28th, 2021]
- Carpet Cleaning | Shaw Floors - July 28th, 2021 [July 28th, 2021]
- The Steam Team Austin, TX Carpet, Tile, Air Duct ... - July 28th, 2021 [July 28th, 2021]
- Dry Carpet Cleaning vs. Steam Cleaning | HGTV - July 28th, 2021 [July 28th, 2021]
- Vax Platinum SmartWash review: probably THE best carpet cleaner - T3 - July 28th, 2021 [July 28th, 2021]
- Mum reveals how she transformed her filthy staircase with a 4 four-step cleaning method using Elbow... - The US Sun - July 28th, 2021 [July 28th, 2021]
- This Value-Priced Stick Vacuum Does The Job...And Well - Forbes - December 10th, 2020 [December 10th, 2020]
- Zerorez of Puget Sound Helps Businesses and Homes Stay Healthy With Carpet Cleaning and Disinfection Services - Press Release - Digital Journal - December 10th, 2020 [December 10th, 2020]
- World Janitorial Service Market Report 2020: Growing Commercial Sector and Reduction in Office Vacancy Rates are Acting as Major Drivers for the... - December 10th, 2020 [December 10th, 2020]
- Tips to Reach Your Target Audience Using Google Display Advertising by Location - Inc. - December 10th, 2020 [December 10th, 2020]
- The 12 Best Steam Cleaners, According to People Who Really, *Really* Love Them - PureWow - December 10th, 2020 [December 10th, 2020]
- The quick and easy 2 cleaning hack to get rid of stains from carpets - RSVP Live - December 10th, 2020 [December 10th, 2020]
- Cleaning: Mrs Hinch fans share how to clean grimy oven trays with 89p product and coin - Express - December 10th, 2020 [December 10th, 2020]
- How to Clean Every Type of Couch - Reader's Digest - December 10th, 2020 [December 10th, 2020]
- We Tested 7 Handheld Vacuums for Cars and Picked Our Favorites - Car and Driver - November 29th, 2020 [November 29th, 2020]
- Gift Guide 2020: What To Get Your Colleagues, Employees, And Clients This Holiday Season - Forbes - November 29th, 2020 [November 29th, 2020]
- Global Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services Market Detail Analysis Focusing on Application, Types and Key Players- Carpet Cleaning Upholstery... - November 29th, 2020 [November 29th, 2020]
- Pentagon Carpet Cleaning Celebrated Its 10th Anniversary - PR.com - October 10th, 2020 [October 10th, 2020]
- Dry Clean Versus Steam Clean: What Are the Best Carpet Cleaners? - The Advocate - October 10th, 2020 [October 10th, 2020]
- Roborocks new $420 S4 Max robot vacuum automatically detects when its on carpet - Gearbrain - October 10th, 2020 [October 10th, 2020]
- Carpet cleaning: Mrs Hinch fan shares cheap way to freshen up carpets and remove stains - Express - October 8th, 2020 [October 8th, 2020]
- 15 Best Robot Vacuums 2020: Compare & Save (Updated!) - Heavy.com - October 8th, 2020 [October 8th, 2020]
- 5 Things to Know About Carpet Care and the COVID-19 Pandemic - CMM - September 7th, 2020 [September 7th, 2020]
- Global Carpet Cleaning Products Market 2020 | Global Size, Growth, Value, Future Trends, Competitive Landscape, Industry Highlights And Forecasts to... - September 7th, 2020 [September 7th, 2020]
- Global Carpet Cleaning Products Market 2020 Top Players BISSELL, Reckitt Benckiser Group, Techtronic Industries, The Clorox Company, Zep - The News... - September 7th, 2020 [September 7th, 2020]
- DIY Home Repairs Everyone Should Know How To Do in the Age of COVID-19 - Our Community Now at Colorado - September 7th, 2020 [September 7th, 2020]
- Carpet Extraction Cleaner Market Research Report is Projected to Witness Considerable Growth by 2025 - The Scarlet - September 7th, 2020 [September 7th, 2020]
- Global Carpet Chemicals Market 2020 Analysis by COVID-19 Impact with Market Positioning of Key Vendors: Devan Chemicals, The Rug Cleaning, Omnova... - September 7th, 2020 [September 7th, 2020]
- Winter cleaning: How to deep clean your home according to the Queen of Clean - Express - September 7th, 2020 [September 7th, 2020]
- Library of Things arrives in Brixton This Month - Brixton Blog - September 7th, 2020 [September 7th, 2020]
- New 'Deposit Defender' App Allows Renters to Easily Photo-Document Rental Property Inspections, Helping Them Safeguard Valuable Security Deposits from... - August 18th, 2020 [August 18th, 2020]
- Durham, William "Timmy", Sr. - Press of Atlantic City - May 10th, 2020 [May 10th, 2020]
- Mums genius 49p hack removes fluff from carpets and people are horrified by how dirty their floors are - The Sun - May 10th, 2020 [May 10th, 2020]
- Stay green for your spring clean - caring for the environment while beating the bugs - Hull Daily Mail - May 10th, 2020 [May 10th, 2020]
- Toronto business owner calls for salons to be included in first phase of economy reopening - blogTO - May 10th, 2020 [May 10th, 2020]
- Cranmore Carpet Cleaning LLC | One Of The Top Ranked ... - April 13th, 2020 [April 13th, 2020]
- Dry-N-Clean Carpet Cleaning - Virginia Beach Carpet ... - April 13th, 2020 [April 13th, 2020]
- Where to buy cleaning supplies: These retailers have stock - Tom's Guide UK - April 13th, 2020 [April 13th, 2020]
- Tune in to Learn Best Practices for Cleaning Professionals - CMM - April 13th, 2020 [April 13th, 2020]
- They've already got beds and bathrooms. Here's how hotels could convert into makeshift hospitals - FierceHealthcare - April 13th, 2020 [April 13th, 2020]
- (2020-2025) Carpet Cleaner Solution Market Size, Share, Industry Trends, Growth Insight, Share, Competitive Analysis, Statistics, Regional, And... - April 13th, 2020 [April 13th, 2020]
- Home Sweet Home Chicago (04/04/20) David Hochberg with Mega Pros Joe, Realtor Amy Kite, Credit expert Gary Novel, IRS Tax Attorney Steven A. Leahy,... - April 13th, 2020 [April 13th, 2020]
- Have you paid attention to the carpets yet? Here are a few easy tips to clean them - Times of India - April 13th, 2020 [April 13th, 2020]
- Disinfect your home and car to help kill coronavirus. Here's how - CNET - April 13th, 2020 [April 13th, 2020]
- From mouldy showers to junk drawers: how to clean the 10 things annoying you most - The Guardian - April 13th, 2020 [April 13th, 2020]
- Larry King Haircare Wash Cycle Shampoo Review Tried and Tested - Stylist Magazine - April 13th, 2020 [April 13th, 2020]
- Carpet And Upholstery Cleaning Services Market Size Analysis, Top Manufacturers, Shares, Growth Opportunities and Forecast to 2026 - Science In Me - April 13th, 2020 [April 13th, 2020]
- 17 Disinfecting and Cleaning Supplies You Can Buy Online Right Now - Prevention.com - April 13th, 2020 [April 13th, 2020]
- How To Remove Mold From Carpet Answered By Buford Carpet Cleaning Company - Press Release - Digital Journal - March 5th, 2020 [March 5th, 2020]
- Every Person Has a Story: Mark Parsons built cleaning business from carpet up - The Wellsboro Gazette - March 5th, 2020 [March 5th, 2020]
- New angle: Diagonal Keo Way building that housed Reliable Rug Co. getting $4.8 M facelift - Des Moines Register - March 5th, 2020 [March 5th, 2020]
- What airlines are doing to sanitize planes - CNN - March 5th, 2020 [March 5th, 2020]
- Oxi Fresh Brings Green Cleaning to Central and East Texas - Franchising.com - March 5th, 2020 [March 5th, 2020]
- Airports take steps to prevent spread of COVID-19 - Eagle-Tribune - March 5th, 2020 [March 5th, 2020]
- Rent the Runway assures customers it is cleaning its clothes, amid coronavirus outbreak - CNBC - March 5th, 2020 [March 5th, 2020]
- Billy Porter speaks out on fashion choices amid criticism that men shouldn't wear dresses: 'These people are human, just like you' - Yahoo... - March 5th, 2020 [March 5th, 2020]
- Birmingham Carpet Cleaning Company Discusses Benefits Of Carpet Cleaning - PR Web - March 5th, 2020 [March 5th, 2020]
- Mrs Hinch super-fan says she cleans for SEVEN hours a day and get up at 6am on weekends to tidy - The Sun - March 5th, 2020 [March 5th, 2020]
- Read our review on the Vax ONEPWR SpotlessGo Spot Washer cordless vacuum cleaner - Real Homes - March 5th, 2020 [March 5th, 2020]
- The YouTuber who exposed accused child predator says he will continue stings in exclusive interview - NJ.com - March 5th, 2020 [March 5th, 2020]
- Woman's amazing hack removes hair from carpets in seconds all you need is a 1.99 'squeegee' - OK! magazine - March 5th, 2020 [March 5th, 2020]
- 17 top-rated products to clean every room in your house - Business Insider - March 5th, 2020 [March 5th, 2020]
- Greensboro Carpet Cleaners List Benefits Of Professional Carpet Cleaning - MENAFN.COM - February 20th, 2020 [February 20th, 2020]
- Carpet Cleaning Winnipeg is the Number One Carpet Cleaning Service that Caters to Residential and Commercial Carpets - Press Release - Digital Journal - February 20th, 2020 [February 20th, 2020]
- How EWG Scored the Cleaning Products Recommended by Today - Environmental Working Group - January 30th, 2020 [January 30th, 2020]
- The Old Paths: The love of money - The Stokes News - January 30th, 2020 [January 30th, 2020]
- Say goodbye to pet stains, Hoover Smart Carpet Cleaner now $170 (Reg. $270) - 9to5Toys - January 30th, 2020 [January 30th, 2020]
- Carpet Cleaning Software Market |Global Industry Size, Analysis, Growth Factors, Key Companies, Regional Outlook, Future Insights Till 2026 - VOICE of... - January 30th, 2020 [January 30th, 2020]