Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) and Emily Randall (WA-06) sent the following letter to the director of ICE's Seattle Field Office:

Dear Ms. Wamsley:

We write to ask that full and fair consideration be given to Alfredo Juarez Zeferino’s request to be released from ICE custody while he undergoes immigration proceedings.

At the age of 25, Mr. Juarez Zeferino is a leading voice in advocating for farmworkers in his home state of Washington. He is also one of the founders of the independent farmworker union Familias Unidas por la Justicia. As an immigrant farmworker himself, Mr. Juarez Zeferino dedicates his life to representing the needs of his community and serving as a link to the legislative process for Triqui, Mixteco, and Spanish speaking farmworkers. His leadership in his union has positively impacted the farmworker community in Washington state.

Mr. Juarez Zeferino has shown himself to be a passionate, genuine, and respectful individual with deep ties to the local Washington community where he was raised. His detention has caused a ripple effect of suffering for his family, friends, colleagues, and the farmworkers in Washington who all rely on his presence and his work.

As Mr. Juarez Zeferino has no criminal history, we believe that due consideration should be given to his contention that he is neither a flight risk nor a danger to our community. We ask that Mr. Juarez Zeferino be given full and fair consideration for his release from the Northwest Detention Center to pursue his immigration case outside of detention.

Respectfully,

Rick Larsen
Pramila Jayapal
Emily Randall

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