Thread by @RAICESTEXAS

Today, as the Biden admin announced its family reunification taskforce, Ubaldo Ochoa-Lopez sat in an ICE prison - in danger of being deported.

He & his son, Fernando came to the US seeking asylum from Guatemala. What awaited them here was a cruel & stunning reality. #FreeUbaldo

They were both separated during Trump's Zero Tolerance period in 2018 and remained away from each other for two months.

Fernando was only 6 years old when this painful and traumatic experience happened.

Now, @ICEgov has separated them again.

Ubaldo has been detained at Pearsall Detention Center since October - 4 months - and is in danger of being deported back to Guatemala, leaving his son behind.

Having his father taken away for a second time has already been traumatic enough.

Having him deported would be a devastating blow for Fernando and would leave this now 9-year-old child defending his asylum case before the immigration judge alone.

The moratorium on deportations may be on pause bc of @KenPaxtonTX's lawsuit, but that doesn’t mean @DHSgov doesn’t have the tools at their disposal to reunite this family & stop this father from being deported

Contrary to popular belief, deportations haven't stopped under Biden.

Pending legislation like the Families Belong Together act would give Ubaldo a way to stay in the US & seek permanent status.

We call on Congress and the @JoeBiden Administration to rapidly pursue legislation, so no other families are torn apart like Fernando & Ubaldo’s.

If @POTUS and his Administration are serious about reversing the damage done to these families under Trump, @ICEgov must release Ubaldo back to his son immediately.

Little Fernando has had enough pain & trauma in his life. This family must remain together & free. #FreeUbaldo

We ask that you call ☎️ ICE's Community Relations Officer, Norma Graebener at 210-283-4711 and demand that they release Ubaldo immediately.

Read the next tweet for a calling script you can use!

"Hi, my name is ____ and I am calling to demand the release of Ubaldo Ochoa-Lopez so he can reunite with his 9 year-old son. Ubaldo’s A number is 215-636-496. They both came to the U.S. seeking asylum in 2018 from Guatemala..."

"...and were both separated during the Zero Tolerance period and remained away from each other for two months. Fernando was only 6 years old when this painful and traumatic experience happened. They can’t be separated again. Please release him to his son. Thank you."