Francisco Rivera is a hard working Dominican father of three who has been unjustly detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). On July 28th, 2020 Francisco was abruptly taken into custody by ICE at 6:00 AM as he was heading out to work his normal 12 hour shift at his construction job. He has been living legally in the United States since 1995 and had recently filed for US citizenship. 17 years ago he was arrested and convicted of violating a restraining order put in place by myself - the mother of his two oldest children. We were very young at the time and the local sheriff's department encouraged me to file a restraining order after a minor disagreement over our infant daughter. I had the restraining order removed after several months and we went on to have another child together. At the time, I never considered how the restraining order would affect his future and in hindsight, I realize what a terrible decision I made by filing the order.
Francisco has been nothing but a great, loving, and supportive father to all of his children. He is a kind, gentle, and compassionate person who has never been in any other legal trouble and has been on a great path in life. He has many friends in his home city of Cleveland, Ohio as well as here in Geauga County, Ohio, and his absence would be felt by each and every one of them. He works two jobs, day and night, in order to make ends meet and be able to support his kids. He spends any free time he can find enjoying time with his kids, family and friends. In addition to holidays and other special life events, Francisco attends his 18 year old daughter's dance competitions and 16 year old son's football and baseball games regularly; he is an essential part of our family. There is nothing that he wouldn't do for his family and friends, so much so that he often sends money to support his family in the Dominican Republic. Francisco loves this country and belongs here as much as, if not more than anyone else. We are asking for your help! Please sign this petition to Free Francisco from ICE custody and save him from deportation to the Dominican Republic. A GoFund Me account to cover legal costs will be established later on today. Please save any donations you may wish to send for the go fund me. Thank you for your support!!
Updates
July 30, 2020
we just hit 100 signatures and i cant believe it. seeing so many people standing up for francisco means everything to our family right now.
Reached 1,000 supporters
July 30, 2020
July 29, 2020
im honestly blown away by how many people are stepping up for francisco. seeing this grow gives me so much hope that we can actually get him back home to his kids soon.
Reached 100 supporters
July 29, 2020
July 26, 2020
we are almost at one hundred signatures so please post the link on your page right now to help move the needle. lets keep this momentum going so we can get francisco home to his kids.
205 Comments
A person that is here legally and even in process to become a us citizen with a simple youthful mistake like any one in this world should not be deported. It's a shame on the ICE department and on the US.
Conozco a Francisco desde que llegue a Cleveland en el 2004 , siempre con una energía bien positiva y dispuesto a ayudar al prójimo, un hombre bien trabajador Y muy apegado a sus hijos y toda su familia .
I will never understand how taking a man (or woman) from their American family in the country they love could be anything but bad for the United States. Please release this father of two wonderful children.
I have met Francisco on a couple of occasions. I know him through his children’s aunt. He is a hard-working man providing a role model for his children. He regularly attends his kids football games and dance recitals. Francisco is always present to counsel his children to be good citizens.
OMG this is exactly why the country is in turmoil. No brainer orders to do horrible things like rip a great loving caring man from his children. You forget he has friends and family and a great life here and they all want him here in his great life. Did we call the ACLU yet guys, they love to help with injustices like this.
Skvbjd
I got to know Francisco when his son played baseball with my son. As long as I have known him, he has been an upstanding, hard working, kind, supportive father.
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Francisco Rivera is a hard working Dominican father of three who has been unjustly detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). On July 28th, 2020 Francisco was abruptly taken into custody by ICE at 6:00 AM as he was heading out to work his normal 12 hour shift at his construction job. He has been living legally in the United States since 1995 and had recently filed for US citizenship. 17 years ago he was arrested and convicted of violating a restraining order put in place by myself - the mother of his two oldest children. We were very young at the time and the local sheriff's department encouraged me to file a restraining order after a minor disagreement over our infant daughter. I had the restraining order removed after several months and we went on to have another child together. At the time, I never considered how the restraining order would affect his future and in hindsight, I realize what a terrible decision I made by filing the order.
Francisco has been nothing but a great, loving, and supportive father to all of his children. He is a kind, gentle, and compassionate person who has never been in any other legal trouble and has been on a great path in life. He has many friends in his home city of Cleveland, Ohio as well as here in Geauga County, Ohio, and his absence would be felt by each and every one of them. He works two jobs, day and night, in order to make ends meet and be able to support his kids. He spends any free time he can find enjoying time with his kids, family and friends. In addition to holidays and other special life events, Francisco attends his 18 year old daughter's dance competitions and 16 year old son's football and baseball games regularly; he is an essential part of our family. There is nothing that he wouldn't do for his family and friends, so much so that he often sends money to support his family in the Dominican Republic. Francisco loves this country and belongs here as much as, if not more than anyone else. We are asking for your help! Please sign this petition to Free Francisco from ICE custody and save him from deportation to the Dominican Republic. A GoFund Me account to cover legal costs will be established later on today. Please save any donations you may wish to send for the go fund me. Thank you for your support!!
Updates
July 30, 2020
we just hit 100 signatures and i cant believe it. seeing so many people standing up for francisco means everything to our family right now.
Reached 1,000 supporters
July 30, 2020
July 29, 2020
im honestly blown away by how many people are stepping up for francisco. seeing this grow gives me so much hope that we can actually get him back home to his kids soon.
Reached 100 supporters
July 29, 2020
July 26, 2020
we are almost at one hundred signatures so please post the link on your page right now to help move the needle. lets keep this momentum going so we can get francisco home to his kids.
205 Comments
I have known Francisco for over 20years, as we worked together at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel. He is a very kind, hardworking and loving person, who would not hesitant to help anyone in need. He was truly a great asset to the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel. I hope he is returned to his family very soon. God bless you
A person that is here legally and even in process to become a us citizen with a simple youthful mistake like any one in this world should not be deported. It's a shame on the ICE department and on the US.
Conozco a Francisco desde que llegue a Cleveland en el 2004 , siempre con una energía bien positiva y dispuesto a ayudar al prójimo, un hombre bien trabajador Y muy apegado a sus hijos y toda su familia .
I will never understand how taking a man (or woman) from their American family in the country they love could be anything but bad for the United States. Please release this father of two wonderful children.
I have met Francisco on a couple of occasions. I know him through his children’s aunt. He is a hard-working man providing a role model for his children. He regularly attends his kids football games and dance recitals. Francisco is always present to counsel his children to be good citizens.
OMG this is exactly why the country is in turmoil. No brainer orders to do horrible things like rip a great loving caring man from his children. You forget he has friends and family and a great life here and they all want him here in his great life. Did we call the ACLU yet guys, they love to help with injustices like this.
Skvbjd
I got to know Francisco when his son played baseball with my son. As long as I have known him, he has been an upstanding, hard working, kind, supportive father.
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I have known Francisco for over 20years, as we worked together at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel. He is a very kind, hardworking and loving person, who would not hesitant to help anyone in need. He was truly a great asset to the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel. I hope he is returned to his family very soon. God bless you