Teamster Eber Garcia Vasquez Deported by ICE
Eber Garcia Vasquez, a long-time New York Teamster member and father of four was deported to Guatemala today.
“I am saddened, and frankly shocked that Eber was deported so quickly,” said George Miranda, President of Teamsters Joint Council 16, which represents 120,000 workers in downstate New York. “This is happening to thousands of immigrants across the country and the inhumanity is obvious in each story. Today a family was torn apart, and now is without a breadwinner. Our union lost a valued member. I want to thank all the unions, community organizations, and elected officials who spoke out in support of Eber. In the coming days we will be setting up a fund for the Garcia Vasquez family to help them cover their expenses. We will continue fighting for justice for all immigrants.”
Eber Garcia Vasquez has been a member of Teamsters Local 813 for 26 years. A private sanitation worker at Stericycle in New York, Eber built a life here with his wife, four children, and three grandchildren.
Eber came to U.S. in the 1980s, fleeing violence in his homeland. Several of his family members in Guatemala, including his mother, have been killed. His wife and several of his children are U.S. citizens and that gives Eber a path to a Green Card, and his attorney argued he should be able to stay with his family as he completes that process.
Eber’s family depends on his union job. His wife was in a car crash earlier this year and is now in a wheelchair. His deportation will wreak havoc on their lives.
The Teamsters union and immigration advocates mounted a campaign to convince ICE to release Eber. The union pressed Eber’s case directly with White House and administration officials. Grassroots supporters called ICE and signed a petition. The union, advocates, and prominent elected officials rallied outside ICE’s NYC office last week to demand his release.