I'm at a loss of words about ICE goons rounding up Jose Santos and Neuza Chaves Santos and their two sons, Rodrigo and Roney. If there is any example of the insanity of ICE, this is it.

Instead of me describing what exactly happened, I'm going to do something I rarely do, place a crosspost from the Santos Family support site.

The Santos family has been living in Danbury, CT since the mid to late 80's. They came here from a small town in Brazil in search of the American dream like so many other immigrants have done before them. A mother, a father, two boys and one girl who was fortunate enough to be born on U.S. soil. They made a living for themselves working blue collar jobs: the mother in a factory, the father landscaping, both brothers graduated from high school and one became a carpenter and the other worked in excavation.

These good people paid their taxes, donated to their church and pursued higher education. Unfortunately, their visas were expired which made them illegal. Unlike many other illegal immigrants they were on file with immigration and therefore, have been fighting desperately within the court system to get legalized the right way. They were forced to go to immigration court in Hartford, CT every 3 months. They did this for 2 years until July 10th, 2007 when they were handcuffed and thrown into jail like criminals after showing up to their court date as usual. The daughter cried hysterically only asking to speak to her family before they were sent away. A simple right deserving of any decent human being. The less than sympathetic officers only allowed the daughter a brief 5 minute conversation with her mother through a thick plastic shield with phones on either side. The mother told her daughter to be brave and then gave her some last minute advice before being told that her time was up.

The mother (who is in her late 40s) was separated from her boys and they were all shipped to a different jail in Massachusetts. The officers informed the daughter that they could be held in custody for up to 3 months. Three months behind bars for what? What could they have possibly done to deserve to be treated like criminals? I wonder how those officers would feel if their mother, father and siblings were thrown in jail for circumstances beyond their control. I find it funny that such a God fearing country, a country founded by immigrants, created by immigrants and defended by immigrants can treat an entire family of HUMAN BEINGS like so much stale garbage who's pickup date has been long overdue.

There is a reason why so many immigrants will do anything to live in the home of the free and the land of brave. The employment in countries like Brazil is scarce. I have seen Brazilian doctors, lawyers and others professionals who have chosen to come to the U.S. to cut grass and move boulders instead of practicing their craft because they couldn't make a living in their home land. This is the kind of country that they are sending this family back to. Two young-Americanized brothers who can barely speak Portuguese because they spent their entire lives around baseball and hot dogs instead of soccer and salgados. What harm are they causing the community by staying within our borders and paying our taxes? Most of the mother's side of the family all live legally within the U.S. so by deporting her they are not only taking her away from her daughter but also her brothers and her own mother of age 70.

An injustice has been committed and a family has been torn apart. Why are we allowing this to happen? These people are no more criminals than Rosa parks was a criminal or any other African-American who's rights were limited by laws that were put in place to oppress the poor and empower those who fear change. They are only guilty of trying to survive and trying to give their children an opportunity to flourish. Many of us have been fortunate enough to have been born or naturalized in this beautiful country. Ask yourself, If you weren't so fortunate to have been born here? If you didn't have all of these opportunities? If you could leave that disparity and venture to a new land that offered you nothing but the fact that your hard work will produce hope for the future of you and your kids... would you be a criminal for pursuing that hope?

This 17 year old girl is now left without her family to support her at the time when she most needs it. She is now left with all of the debt her family has left behind for her to pay off. Her family will be deported but the bills that remain are very real. She would also like to be able to purchase a plane ticket to be reunited with them when they arrive in Brazil. These people need our help. They have gone through thousands of dollars in lawyers fees only to come up empty handed with an empty pocket to match.

I have in no way been asked by the family for this website nor am I receiving any compensation for it. I do this because I have known this family my entire life and I have been proud to call them friends. If you know this family or even know a family like them then I ask that you please find it within yourself to make a donation to these good people by contacting me via the email address below and I will put you in direct contact with the family. Also, if you are in the news industry and are interested in helping us please email me at mo1640@gmail.com

Thank you for listening and god bless.

Again, I'm at a complete loss for words in regards to this case...it's simply heartbreaking, completely outrageous, and doesn't make any common sense. We really need to get the elected officials who cheer for ICE out of office...and pronto.

Word has it that this particular case is sounding alarm bells, which is why it's important to contact your elected officials and express your support for the Santos as well as vent your outrage at the tactics of ICE in regards to this case.

You can also help us by contacting these elected officials and asking them to do all within their power to assist.

Jodi Rell
Connecticut Governor
State Capitol Office
Governor M. Jodi Rell
Executive Office of the Governor
State Capitol
210 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, Connecticut 06106
Email: Governor.Rell@ct.gov
Telephone
Greater Hartford Area: 860-566-4840
Toll Free: 800-406-1527

Senior Senator Chris Dodd
448 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING
WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2823
Contact Senator Dodd's office by clicking here

Junior Senator Joe Lieberman
706 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING
WASHINGTON DC 20510
Tel. (202) 224-4041
Web: lieberman.senate.gov

Congressman John Larson
District Office:
221 Main Street, 2nd Floor, Hartford, CT 06106
Phone: (860) 278-8888
Fax: (860) 278-2111

D.C. Office:
1005 Longworth HOB, Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: (202) 225-2265
Fax: (202) 225-1031

Congressman Joe Courtney
DC Office:
215 Cannon House Office Building
Washington , DC 20515
(202) 225-2076
(202) 225-4977 fax

District Office:
Enfield
77 Hazard Ave, Suite 1
Enfield, CT 06082
(860) 741-6011
(860) 741-6036 fax

Norwich
2 Courthouse Square , Fifth Floor
Norwich , CT 06360
(860) 886-0139
(860) 886-2974 fax

Office Hours in Killingly
Representatives from Congressman Courtney's office also hold office hours at Quinebaug Valley Community College every 1st and 3rd Thursday from 12n-5p.
QVCC
742 Upper Maple Street
Danielson, CT 06239

Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro
Washington, DC
2262 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-3661
Fax: 202-225-4890

Main District Office
59 Elm Street
New Haven, CT 06510
Phone: 203-562-3718
Fax: 203-772-2260

Congressman Christopher Shays
Write to him by clicking here.

Phone: Bridgeport 203/579-5870
Norwalk 203/866-6469
Stamford 203/357-8277
Washington, DC 202/225-5541
Ridgefield 203/438-5953
Shelton 203/402-0426

Congressman Chris Murphy
81 West Main Street
Downtown New Britain
Phone: 860-223-5522
Fax: 860-223-5500


David Cappielo
State Senator, 24th District
Email: David.Cappiello@cga.ct.gov
Home Address: P.O. Box 2544
Danbury, CT 06813
Home Phone: (203) 778-0138
Work Phone: (860) 240-8875

Bob Godfrey
State Rep., 110th District
At the Capitol:
Legislative Office Building, Room 4107
Hartford, CT 06106-1591
(860) 240-8500
1-800-842-1902
Bob.Godfrey@cga.ct.gov

In the District:
13 Stillman Avenue
Danbury, CT 06810-8007
(203) 778-5127
Robert.Godfrey@snet.net

Janice Giegler
State Rep., 138th District
10 Old Hayrake Road, Danbury 06811
Residence: 203-744-3666
Capitol: 860-240-8700
Write to Rep. Giegler by clicking here

Joe Taborsak
State Rep., 109th District
At the Capitol:
Legislative Office Building, Room 5006
Hartford, CT 06106-1591
(860) 240-8585
1-800-842-8267
Joseph.Taborsak@cga.ct.gov

In the District:
110 Hayestown Road
Danbury, CT 06811
(203) 744-7888