Protest Tuesday for man seized by ICE 'on church property' in Maryland, faith group says
FILE - Image shows an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer. A growing number of Democrats have joined liberal activists in calling for ICE to be abolished. (Credit: ICE.gov)
A protest was held Tuesday in front of the Baltimore Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office over the case of a man, Binsar Siahaan, that Faith in Action says was seized by ICE "on church property" in Maryland on September 10.
Faith in Action, a faith-based non-profit organizing network, is leading the protest. They say Siahaan, an undocumented Indonesian father and husband, is now being held at Irwin County Detention Facility in Georgia.
"Baltimore ICE's reckless actions pose a huge risk for Binsar and his family, as well as immigrants throughout the country who are in sensitive locations - whether attending schools, receiving care in hospitals and health facilities, or seeking refuge in faith communities," a Faith in Action statement says. "We need to take action now to call for Binsar's release and approval of his stay of removal, and an investigation into ICE's actions. We must show ICE, locally and nationally, that we will not let this unprecedented violation of the sensitive locations policy go unnoticed. "
An ICE spokeswoman says this about Siahaan's detainment: "U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is limited in commenting on ongoing litigation. ICE’s sensitive locations policy remains in effect. ICE officers arrested Binsar Rionald Siahaan, 52, an unlawfully present Indonesian national, who is the subject of a final order of removal, at his residence in Silver Spring, Maryland. ICE respects the rights of all faiths to worship."
Locations treated as sensitive locations under ICE policy include schools and daycares, medical treatment and healthcare facilities, places of worship, religious or civil ceremonies and public demonstrations like marches, rallies, and parades.
The Faith in Action statement says Siahaan was arrested "at his home on church property" and the ICE statement also says he was at his residence.
