FLOC president urges community to 'adopt' families at risk of deportation

Velasquez calls on union's membership, Toledo area to help those in need

2/17/2017

Farm Labor Organizing Committee President Baldemar Velasquez is calling on the union's membership and the Toledo community to "adopt" families at-risk of deportation and assist with taking care of children and property left behind.

THE BLADE
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Farm Labor Organizing Committee President Baldemar Velasquez is calling on the union's membership and the Toledo community to "adopt" families at risk of deportation and assist with taking care of children and property left behind.

Proposed immigration policies by the Trump Administration have prompted a lot of fear around the country and locally, he said.

At today's membership meeting, Mr. Velasquez asked those in attendance to consider helping families with power of attorney or taking in children if a parent is detained or deported.

He cited a report published by the Associated Press detailing a draft proposal from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that called for members of the National Guard to assist in the round-up and deportation of immigrants here illegally.

Toledo has between 6,000 and 10,000 immigrants living here without documentation, Mr. Velasquez said, citing estimates from Advocates for Basic Legal Equality.

Marches and protests against immigration policies have a benefit, he said, but now is the time for action.

"We need to act proactively and take care of our people," he said, adding that he and his wife will be the first to commit to adopting a family if necessary.

Mr. Velasquez announced a meeting to discuss the plan at 6 p.m Wednesday at FLOC's headquarters, 1221 Broadway.