ICE Detains Union Worker, Labor Union Fights Back
June 06, 2017 | By Jordan DeAngelo
Protesters chanted, “Free Rodrigo Now” and “What do we want? Justice! When do we want it? Now!” Most were members of District Council 16, a local union that represents painters and allied workers, gathered in front of ICE’s San Francisco location yesterday to protest the detainment of one of its members and a member of another local union, Carpenters Local 68.
On May 3rd, Hugo Mejía and Rodrigo Nuñez, two construction workers, were on their way to work on a hospital project at Travis Air Force base when they were suddenly detained by ICE.
Prior to their detainment, Hugo and Rodrigo were both long-term union workers and active community members. Mejía, who lives in San Rafael, worked as a drywall finisher with Painters Local 83, a local union group that is now a part of the Painter’s District Council 16. He is also a father of three children and an active member of his church.
Nuñez, a resident of Hayward, has lived in the United States for more than 15 years, now with three young children. Nuñez was an assistant coach for his son’s baseball team, volunteered for his local church, and worked in drywall as a member of Carpenter Local 68.
Ever since their detainment, District Council 16 has not received any communication from ICE regarding the status of Nuñez and Mejía. Currently, the only information District Council 16 has is that Hugo is detained in Sacramento and Rodrigo is detained in Yuba.
Worrying that the two may be deported without getting their case heard in front of a judge, District Council 16 members and community leaders rallied to demand Rodrigo and Hugo’s immediate release and a stay of their deportation.
The protest had roughly 200 people in attendance for the event, including District 2 Supervisor Mark Farrell, who came to voice his support.
Madison Hull, District Council 16’s political and communication director, said in a statement: “We just want them, Hugo and Rodrigo, released immediately and we want a fair and due process. To be taken away from their families for 30 days is inhumane.”
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