On Monday, May 19, after a tense, three-hour court hearing, an immigration judge granted release on bond for Ardani Rosales Lemus (A#098-918-011) . Ardani’s family and community rallied to raise the $10,000 overnight and paid the bond in full. Ardani’s family – his mother, wife, and two young children – were overwhelmed with relief and joy, and made posters that read “Welcome Home Daddy”.

However, the next morning, on Tuesday, May 20, ICE appealed the judge’s decision, refusing to release Ardani. This is outrageous behavior and shows just how far ICE is willing to go to separate migrant families. Grassroots organizations supporting Ardani have never seen ICE appeal a bond like this. This is an unprecedented and mean-spirited attack on Ardani’s family and the community that has fought so hard to bring him home.

Ardani’s lawyer has already made the case for the bond and his community has already come together to pay it. We are simply asking ICE to release this father while he fights his case from home. 

To: Thomas Winkowski, Acting Director of ICE; Jeh Johnson, DHS Secretary; Andrew Lorenzen-Strait, National ICE Public Advocate; Jon Gurule, Phoenix Field Office Director; Patricia Vroom, Head of AZ ICE Litigation

I am writing to ask that you immediately release Ardani Rosales Lemus (A#098-918-011) and drop the appeal on his bond. On Monday, May 19, 2014, an immigration judge granted Ardani bond of $10,000. Ardani’s family and community rallied to raise money and paid the bond in full. Ardani’s family – his mother, wife, and two young children – were overwhelmed with relief and joy, wanting nothing more than to see Ardani home with them.

The following day, Tuesday, May 20, ICE appealed the judge’s decision, refusing to release Ardani. This is an outrageous decision that shows just how far ICE is willing to go to separate families. Pulled over for a minor traffic violation, Ardani has no criminal record other than previous deportations, and he has two U.S. citizen children who need him home now, including an infant daughter he has not yet met outside of detention.

Ardani’s lawyer already demonstrated that Ardani is not a flight risk and has no intentions of going anywhere but to his home in Phoenix with his children. For ICE officials to reverse the decisions of an immigration judge is a mean-spirited attack on Ardani, his family and the community supporting him. Please drop the appeal of Ardani’s bond and release him immediately.

I also ask that you meet with Ardani’s wife, Naira, and his two children so you can hear from the mother and see the children that are being affected by this his detention.

I await your response.