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90-Mile Pilgrimage to Denounce Cruel Deportations Culminates in Lansing Today

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Michigan and Ohio Families Destroyed by Detroit ICE’s Rebecca Adducci

Lansing, MI —  Today marks the end of a 90-mile pilgrimage that Michigan activists are making from Detroit to Lansing, culminating in a lobby day at the Capitol lead by Michigan United. The goal of the pilgrimage is to raise awareness about the Detroit ICE Office’s relentless campaign to deport long-term Ohio and Michigan residents, regardless of the consequences to children and families.

The deportation case at the heart of the walk is that of Ded Rranxburgaj. Ded’s wife, Flora, is battling severe multiple sclerosis and relies on Ded for her basic needs. After living here for two decades and allowed to remain under a government-sanctioned reprieve, Ded was abruptly told by the new Administration that his time was up. Ded’s plea for mercy in order to continue taking care of Flora was denied. He is now living in sanctuary in Central United Methodist Church, taking care of Flora when she is not in the hospital.

Ded is not the only local resident living a government-sponsored nightmare. Leaders are also drawing attention to the cases of Saheeda Naheem, Jose Adolfo Zaldana, Cile Precetaj, and a stunning array of others throughout Michigan and Ohio that are the result of an out-of-control Detroit ICE Field Office, lead by Rebecca Adducci.

Several of these cases, wrongly decided by Adducci, have garnered not only national but international attention for their extreme callousness: Jorge Garcia, Amer Adi Othman, Maribel Trujillo, and Jesus Lara among others.

Lynn Tramonte, Director of America’s Voice Ohio, said: Lynn Tramonte, Director of America’s Voice Ohio, said:

“It’s wonderful to see Michigan residents organizing such a powerful action in support of keeping families together.  Strong families lead to better outcomes for children and are the foundation of a strong society. The government should use its authority to keep families together whenever possible, not further divide them.”

Both the Detroit Free Press and Cleveland Plain Dealer have published detailed pieces indicating that, since President Trump took office, the ICE office with jurisdiction over these two states has dramatically expanded its focus on deporting immigrants with no criminal record.

Tramonte continued:

“The President goes on Twitter and rants about MS-13, but here in our neighborhoods we see good people being taken away from their children and spouses every single day. Trump’s rhetoric doesn’t match the reality. Meanwhile, Director Rebecca Adducci as Detroit ICE is all too ready and willing to carry out his mass deportation policy. She is a public servant whose salary is paid by the people, and she is destroying local families.  We need more public scrutiny of her office and her actions, which defy common sense and basic American values.”