“Because you fought for our freedom with your whole hearts…”: Nacho and Heidi are free!

Nacho and Heidi are free! After nearly a month behind bars following an unjust and illegal Border Patrol detention, they are back where they belong: with their family, their community, and in the struggle for human rights.

This tremendous victory is the direct result of people power. Together, we stood up to Trump’s machinery of mass deportation. Thousands of you wrote to ICE denouncing the arrest, and hundreds of you turned out to demand their release. From an emergency protest at the Border Patrol barracks on the day of their detention, to rallies at the Vermont State House and the Federal Court, we said together: “Not one more deportation!”

On July 10th, an immigration judge ordered the release of Nacho and Heidi on bond. The following day, they walked out of the jails where they had been unjustly held for 28 days. At a joyous community celebration the following evening, they were greeted by applause, hugs, and tears.

Nacho thanked those who had his back while he was in detention:

“I am free thanks to all of you and to the entire immigrant community that was supporting us from day one. Because you fought for our freedom with your whole hearts, I am back with you and in my community. Together, we grow stronger every day. Join with Migrant Justice to fight for our rights. Sí se puede!”

Heidi echoed her stepfather’s message and added a commitment to continue to fight for others:

“The people united will never be defeated. Because we came together, we achieved this great victory. Migrant Justice will continue fighting to stop these injustices, because nobody deserves to go through what we went through.”

Heidi and Nacho are not the only ones targeted by ICE for detention and deportation. On Monday, Wuendy Bernardo must return to the Vermont ICE office, where she is at risk of being detained and separated from her family. Hundreds have joined her at previous check-ins to let ICE know that we stand with Wuendy.

Join Wuendy on Monday, July 21st at 10am at the Vermont ICE office (64 Gricebrook Rd, St. Albans, VT) to say once again: Not one more deportation!