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The Lopez family in Livermore has one request – to be reunited with husband and father of three Miguel Lopez, who is currently being held in an immigration detention facility in Southern California.
On May 27, Miguel Lopez was unexpectedly detained while reporting to an immigration office in San Francisco for a scheduled visit, his wife Rosa Lopez told the Pleasanton Weekly on Tuesday.
Having lived in the U.S. for approximately 27 years and engaged in the process of obtaining legal residency for over a decade, the reason for his detainment is still unclear, she said.
He was later transported to Golden State Annex, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in McFarland. He is still at this location in ICE custody as of Tuesday afternoon, according to the Department of Homeland Security website.
The family has not received communication about what happens next, even court-date scheduling for him, Rosa Lopez said.
In response, the community has scheduled a peaceful protest in support of Miguel Lopez’s return and raised over $20,000 for the family via a GoFundMe campaign.
“He’s always worked hard, paid his taxes, done things by the book and I think he should get an opportunity,” Rosa Lopez said. “I would just love for his case to be heard and viewed and see that he’s not a bad person to be in the U.S.”
Prior to being taken into ICE custody, Miguel Lopez worked at Wente Vineyards in Livermore.
“He was the breadwinner,” Rosa Lopez said of his role in the close-knit family. But Wente has not yet communicated his job security, she said.
“He’s such a great person,” Rosa Lopez said. “You could meet him and be his friend right away. He’s always lending a hand to anybody and everybody — strangers, friends, family.”
Shortly after he was detained, one of his sons’ teachers started a GoFundMe in an effort to support the Lopez family.
As of Tuesday afternoon, $22,057 has been raised for the family via 355 donations.
These funds are set for legal fees and financial aid for the Lopez family as they attempt to bring Miguel Lopez home, teacher and organizer Laura Bertoli wrote on the page.
“We know this is just the beginning, and a long legal battle lies ahead,” Bertoli wrote. “Your donations are incredibly helpful”.
Additionally, a peaceful rally called “Bring Miguel Home” is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Livermorium Plaza on Wednesday (June 4). Organizers argue he has been illegally detained.
The city of Livermore is also being urged to write a demand letter for his release with support from Kyoko Takayama, community organizer with Indivisible Tri-Valley and Livermore Indivisible.
The city of Livermore did not immediately respond for comment.
Officials notified of Miguel Lopez’s detainment include Rep. Eric Swalwell, Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, Alameda County Supervisor David Haubert, Livermore City Council members and Livermore Mayor John Marchand, according to an email Takayama wrote to Indivisible Tri-Valley members.
“I’m just hoping for his return home,” Rosa Lopez said. “Reunited with us, his family”.
