IAM members from Local Lodge 1776 joined about 2,000 other union members at a rally in Philadelphia last Wednesday to protest the Trump administration’s immigration policies, particularly the separation of children from their parents. The protest was mainly organized by the leaders of UNITE HERE, which represents hospital workers, and the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades.
The protesters focused on Philadelphia because they said the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office in the city had denied 100 percent of asylum-seekers parole pending resolution of their cases over an eight-month period, violating an established ICE policy to consider the release of asylum applicants.
“I am proud of our members at Local Lodge 1776 for taking a stand against this injustice,” said Transportation General Vice President Sito Pantoja. “Hopefully, this rally will help reunite separated children with their families and bring immigration reform.”
It was reported in June that ICE’s Philadelphia field office had arrested more undocumented immigrants without criminal convictions than any of the 23 other ICE offices in the country.
