Photos and videos here. Live stream here.
Rochester, New York—Today, the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), Rochester Rapid Response Network, community members, allies, and elected officials held a rally and a press conference at the Downtown United Presbyterian Church to demand the immediate release of Omar, a prominent Rochester community member, longtime business owner, devoted father, and loving husband. Omar, who has lived in the community for decades, was unlawfully detained yesterday during what should have been a routine ICE check-in at their Buffalo office.
Omar’s detention is another example of the attacks targeting long-standing immigrant community members who work hard and follow all the legal processes required, yet remain at risk due to the Trump administration's cruel and arbitrary deportation agenda. Now, his family, like many of our immigrant neighbors, is left reeling with the traumatic experience of their loved one being ripped away from them.
The rally was streamed on Twitter: https://x.com/thenyic
“From shoveling his elderly neighbors’ driveways to running small businesses that have served the community for years, Omar gives back to the Rochester community every single day. He embodies what makes Rochester great through his generosity, service, and the deep, decades-long ties he has formed with the people who call this city home. Omar’s unlawful detention is another example of the Trump administration’s relentless attacks on longstanding immigrant neighbors. Despite following every legal process required of him and contributing to Rochester’s economy and local fabric, he was still targeted under the administration’s cruel and arbitrary deportation agenda. This should have never happened. Omar has shown up for his community, and now it is time for all of us to show up for him. We demand that ICE immediately release Omar and reunite him with his family, where he belongs,” said Murad Awawdeh, President and CEO, New York Immigration Coalition.
“Every New Yorker deserves our protection and we are duty bound to call out unlawful behavior that violates the rights of our residents. The federal government has set a dangerous precedent of detainments without due process that are affecting neighbors, families, and loved ones across the nation and even in our region. Today, I join my neighbors in calling for the immediate release of Omar Ramos, a beloved community leader and business owner who has enriched the lives of those around him for decades and deserves to live in peace with his loving family,” said New York State Senator Samra Brouk, District 55.
“Omar has worked and paid taxes in this community for decades as a trusted neighbor and friend to many. We are a nation built on immigrants. This is yet another example of the Trump Administration’s cruel, unlawful witch hunt designed to spread fear in our communities. I’m proud to stand beside my neighbors and call for Omar’s immediate release,” said New York State Senator Jeremy Cooney, District 57.
“The unlawful detention of Omar, a man who has given decades of his life in service to our community, is yet another example of the draconian tactics employed by the federal government to meet unrealistic and arbitrary quotas. Using regularly scheduled immigration check-ins as a dragnet trap, we are placing law-abiding immigrants in the position of following the rules at the risk of their freedom or choosing to ignore those rules for fear of their safety and the safety of their family. That is not how a system of justice should operate and that is not how we, as a nation of immigrants, should treat our neighbors. This shameful conduct will be a stain on our nation’s history. I join in the call for Omar’s release and my thoughts are with his family, friends and community during this difficult time,” said New York State Assemblymember Jen Lunsford, District 135.
“The detention of Omar Ramos during a scheduled immigration check-in is yet another example of the targeted, unlawful deportations happening around the country. In New York, we know that our strength comes from welcoming and protecting our immigrant neighbors, yet right now, many families in our community are living in fear when they should be building their futures. I stand with the New York Immigration Coalition and my colleagues to demand the immediate release of Omar Ramos. He and all our immigrant neighbors deserve dignity, due process, and especially to feel safe when following the required legal process asked of them. Our nation is more prosperous, fairer, and stronger when we choose to protect, not target, those who call it home,” said New York State Assemblymember Sarah Clark, District 136.
“As elected leaders, we have a responsibility to stand firmly against actions that undermine due process and target individuals who are actively following the legal steps toward citizenship. The detention of Omar Ramos Jimenez is deeply troubling and raises serious concerns about how immigrant communities are being treated at this moment in time. No one who has complied with every requirement, every check-in, and every part of the legal process should be misled or denied their basic rights. Our community will continue to stand with families who are seeking fairness, dignity, and justice, and we remain committed to holding our government accountable to those principles. I stand with Omar and his family,” said New York State Assemblymember Demond Meeks, District 137.
“New York was founded and built on immigrants and continues to be a welcoming refuge for those coming to our state to participate in the American Dream. Every New Yorker deserves dignity and security, to be treated with humanity and kindness, and lawful due process. ICE’s actions in illegally detaining residents like Omar Ramos, under unjustified and deceitful purposes, not only violates New York’s laws and values as a sanctuary state but violates trust in the principles of our country and legal system. This is a disgrace. In Rochester, we will continue to fight for the humanity and dignity of our people and fight back against the unlawful, cruel actions of the Trump administration. I am proud to stand with my colleagues, neighbors, and community leaders in demanding the immediate release of Omar Ramos, a beloved and law-abiding member of Rochester’s community. There is no justice or peace until Omar’s release,” said New York State Assemblymember Harry B. Bronson, District 138.
“Omar has been part of our community for years. Even after working long days, he joined efforts in the early morning hours to welcome new Rochesterians when asylum seekers were bused to Rochester. He brings positivity to everyone he meets here. ICE uses dirty tricks to separate families, like lying to Omar about the nature of his appointment. But in the face of disappearance and repression, Rochester fights for our neighbors. We’re going to keep fighting until he comes home. Free Omar. Free them all!” said Sammie, a member of Rochester Rapid Response Network.
“Our families are being hunted. Rochester must say ¡No Más! We must denounce and demand an end to inhumane and indiscriminate enforcement. Yesterday, a community pillar who has lived here for decades and elder was taken in another cruel tactic by ICE. This is unacceptable. We need transparency, accountability, and immediate safeguards,” said Angelica Perez-Delgado, President and CEO, Ibero-American Action League Inc.