Rosario Gonzalez was standing outside of a Home Depot in Whittier on Monday, June 9, hoping someone would come by and offer him work so he could support his family.
His family asked him not to go, fearful of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) abductions and raids that started ramping up in Southern California on June 6. In need of work and money, Gonzalez went anyway. His family later learned he was detained by ICE.
Gonzalez was one of the 330 immigrants detained by ICE in Southern California between June 6 and June 11, according to the Los Angeles Times. ICE has been detaining people at work locations, including Home Depots, car washes, swap meets and fruit and food stands in the last few weeks.
Gonzalez is 50 years old and has lived in the United States for more than 28 years since moving here from Mexico, his family said. He is currently being detained in a Texas facility, the family told NBC Los Angeles.
The family has started a GoFundMe with the help of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network. Funds are going directly to the family so they can afford legal defense to get Gonzalez released and basic necessities while missing their main financial provider.
As of June 18, the fundraiser has gained $13,819 from over 200 donations.
What You Can Do:
- Donate: The Gonzalez family is still seeking help through Gofundme at this link.
- Volunteer: U.S. citizens can volunteer with local Rapid Response Networks to verify local ICE sightings and inform residents of their constitutional rights. Learn about Long Beach’s Rapid Response Networks and how to volunteer in our explainer.
- Report: If you see ICE in Long Beach or Signal Hill, call ÓRALE’s community defense network at 562-245-9575.
Do you know of anyone living in Long Beach or Signal Hill who was detained by ICE? Please reach out to us here so we can amplify their story with the community and raise awareness.
