A SUNY Upstate Medical University worker arrested by federal immigration agents last fall has been ordered to be deported to Ecuador – a country with which he has no ties.
Alcibiades “Alex” Lazaro Ramirez Gonzalez is from Cuba.
An immigration court judge in Batavia on Tuesday ordered Gonzalez to be deported to Ecuador. He has until Feb. 12 to appeal the decision, according to Frederick Kowal, president of United University Professions, a labor union that represents Gonzalez.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested Gonzalez and his husband Yannier “Yan” Vazquez Hidalgo in October. Gonzalez is a supervisor in the hospital’s environmental services department. Hildalgo is a janitor in the same department.
Federal agents arrested the men when they checked in for a routine appointment at ICE offices in Mattydale.
They both had requested asylum protection in the U.S. and had recently passed an immigration test required to prove there is a credible threat to their lives in Cuba because they are gay, their relatives told syracuse.com in October.
The men fled Cuba and married in the U.S. They own a home in North Syracuse.
Hildalgo is also being held in the Batavia detention center. He has a hearing scheduled for Jan. 22, records show.
“This is a blatant betrayal of basic American values and principles that completely ignores America’s longstanding tradition of welcoming refugees like Alex, a union member and respected member of his community,” Kowal said.
Kowal said the arrest is part of “a racist campaign to rid this country of people of color.”
Activists have held rallies and candlelight vigils, calling for the men to be released. Gov. Kathy Hochul has met with their families.
Ali Cottrell, president of the union that represents Hidalgo, said the deportation order raises more questions than answers. He said he does not know why the judge chose Ecuador, a country with which Gonzalez has no ties.
“We are so far gone that we are deporting the wrong people,” Cottrell said. “They are not criminals. They are people who were working hard and trying to follow the American dream.”