2 Bronx families fight to reunite following ICE separations

Raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in New York City have immigrants on edge.

News 12 Staff

Jan 23, 2020, 12:01 AM

Updated 1,561 days ago

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Raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in New York City have immigrants on edge.
One of the raids happened in the Bronx last Wednesday morning, in the Fordham section. Ramon Garcia-Ponce is a 56-year-old undocumented immigrant and local vendor who was taken into custody from his Valentine Avenue home.
His family says immigration agents identified themselves as police and banged on his door until his wife opened up. Ponce is a sickly man, according to his family, and was removed in handcuffs after agents raided the apartment.
His daughter says he was detained roughly 20 years ago for entering the country illegally from Mexico--but says he has not been in trouble with the law since.
Ponce is being held in Bergen County Jail, according to his daughter who has also hired a lawyer.
Javier Rodriguez-Mendez was also taken into custody last Wednesday, according to his family. The arrest was also made in the Bronx, on Willis Avenue.
His son says he is heartbroken.
A backpack and cross outside symbolizes the fight to stop the separation of families. In Mott Haven, it reminds the community of yet another family sharing a similar pain.
Police sources tell News 12 Garcia-Ponce has a domestic abuse conviction on his record. News 12 reached out to ICE for a comment and were told it could take a business day to hear back.


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