The СŷƵ Immigration Emergency Response Network is organizing a rally for 6 p.m. Thursday at Five 10 Flats in South Side Bethlehem in support of the 17 members of a construction crew who were detained by federal immigration officials in a Wednesday worksite enforcement operation.
“The terrorizing of immigrant communities at this work site not only impedes the economic recovery of the surrounding community, it is at odds with everything Bethlehem stands for. We believe that all people have a right to due process and a right to work to provide for their families; full stop,” the network’s news release, issued Thursday morning by Lehigh County Commissioner Jon Irons, said.
The СŷƵ Emergency Response Network called the enforcement action an “egregious violation of our community” and demanded that the arrested individuals be released from detention.
The network urged СŷƵ residents, business owners and community leaders to actively respond to Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity.
“Showing up to demonstrations and holding signs is not enough,” the release said. “We encourage attendees to get involved in organized efforts to respond to ICE raids and support affected communities through mutual aid.”
Those arrested were part of a crew working to repair damage at the apartment building from a May 2 rooftop fire that has left residents and first-floor businesses displaced.
A second protest was scheduled outside Bethlehem City Hall at 7 p.m. Thursday.
The plans for demonstrations come as President Donald Trump has urged federal immigration agencies to ramp up arrests and deportations for immigration violations: Stephen Miller, White House deputy chief of staff, said late last month that U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement should make at least 3,000 arrests a day, according to the Associated Press. ICE made an average of 656 arrests a day Jan. 20 to May 19.
