Fort Hamilton Military Base Calls ICE on Pizza Delivery Guy
If you are into deporting immigrants, don’t read the rest of this. For Catholics, the Pope says we have a responsibility to help. There is a march tonight at 6:00 pm (info here).
On Friday afternoon, an employee at the Fort Hamilton Army Base in Brooklyn ordered pasta from Nonna Delia’s Pizzeria in College Point, Queens 26 miles from the Army Base. This pizzaria is 30 minutes from the Ft. Hamilton Army Base. (This army base has so many local Italian Restaurants near it – How about ordering locally and supporting restaurants in the area?)
Pablo Villavicencio, 32, an Ecuadorian immigrant was the pizza delivery man. At the military base gate, Villavicencio showed a NYCID. Pablo had delivered to the base several times before and showed his NYCID identification card. He was also known by one of the employees. Since the army base only accepts driver’s licenses, Pablo was forced to another area to check his ID.
The army military base Visitor Control Center asked Pablo to fill our a form so they could do a background check (Pablos said he did not sign any documents for a background check). The army base called the NYPD who told them that Pablo had a clean record. They found an outstanding warrant for deportation and called ICE. Pablo was detained on the base until ICE came and arrested him. The Fort Hamilton Army Base employees took the pasta that was ordered for a sergeant and was in Pablo Villavicencio’s car (Source)
ICE brought Pablo to a detention center in New Jersey and planned to deport him (UPDATE 6/9/18: Pablo was granted a stay until his hearing on July 20th. Hopefully, they can process his green card by then).
Pablo’s wife of five years, Sandra Chica is an American citizen. The couple from Belrose, Long Island have two young daughters. They submitted documentation for permanent US residence for Pablo, but these things take time! Councilman Menchaca said that Villavicencio has an active green card application and he deserves his freedom to live and work in peace while his application is pending.
Pablo’s wife said she doesn’t have relatives to help her with her daughters and is finding it difficult to fight the system to get her husband free. A Go Fund Me Page for Pablo has been set up here …..give $5.00 if you can to let Sandra know that she isn’t alone……there’s Bay Ridge names all over that list…..why? Because I have good neighbors who will help out someone who just got kicked by the system.
Do officers at the Fort Hamilton Army Base have the authority to question people about their citizenship and detain them for ICE ? President Trump said they were deporting the bad hombres (men). Pablo is a father who is working to support his family and awaiting citizenship.
Councilman Brannan informed the community of this situation. My neighbors responded with support and kindness…..cause everyone isn’t into deporting immigrants.
Pablo Villavicencio’s stories in Spanish (that’s all there was in the beginning) here, here and here
Update: On Wednesday, Councilman Brannan and Borough President Eric Adams stood up for Pablo.
In the evening, Bay Ridge for Social Justice demonstrators marched from the Fort Hamilton Army Base to 86th Street and chanted, “Free, free Pablo.” Seven protesters were arrested for forming a chain in the street.
Governor Cuomo called to get Pablo an attorney and also urged the Department of Homeland Security to launch an internal investigation.
Restaurants in Bay Ridge said they aren’t going to deliver to the army base.
See Update here
Hugs,
marlene
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