Prayers and sighs of relief: How fear of ICE check-ins at Federal Plaza lead to tense moments for family members and advocates amNewYork

"Public Advocate Jumaane Williams had arrived at 26 Federal Plaza in Lower Manhattan just after 8 a.m. along with immigration advocates, intending to escort Josue Perez, Yaneika Blanco and their three children to their mandated ICE check-in. The Dec. 15 appointment came at a fraught time at Federal Plaza, where hundreds of immigrants showing up for mandated appointments have been apprehended by ICE agents in recent months."

"Despite being the second-highest ranking elected official in the city, only Williams and a staff member were permitted to enter the federally-run Homeland Security facility at the time and they were forced to wait by an elevator bank as Perez, Blanco and their children met with ICE representatives. We have this family that was called by ICE last month and they were called again this month, which is unusual. It's a family of five, mother, father, three kids and a newborn, who is an American citizen. So, we were just concerned that they would be detained, Williams told amNewYork."

"In November, amNewYork reported that while detainments by masked federal agents have slowed outside of courtrooms on the 12th and 14th floors, arrests at check-ins on the 5th floor have rapidly increased."

A family of five, including a newborn U.S. citizen, was ordered to report to ICE for a Dec. 15 check-in at 26 Federal Plaza, prompting concerns about imminent detention. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and immigration advocates arrived to escort Josue Perez, Yaneika Blanco and their three children but only Williams and a staffer were allowed into the federally-run Homeland Security facility. They were forced to wait by an elevator bank while the family met with ICE representatives. Recent months have seen hundreds of immigrants apprehended at mandated appointments, and arrests at check-ins on the 5th floor have rapidly increased.

Read at www.amny.com