DSG denounces the deportation of Samuel Oliver-Bruno
Duke Student Government Equity and Outreach and Durham and Regional Affairs condemns Samuel Oliver-Bruno’s deportation. His arrest came during his visit to the Cary U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) facility for a biometrics appointment, necessary to further his path to legal residence. There, plain-clothed ICE agents arrested him the instant he walked in the building and those protesting his arrest were detained as well. This use of covert tactics is absolutely horrendous, considering that Samuel and his community were following the legal procedure to renew a work permit. Samuel is a vital part of the Durham community as he is a husband to his wife, a father to his son, a friend to many and a minister for CityWell Methodist Church. His deportation is devastating for not only his family, but the Durham community as well. His wife is currently receiving medical treatment that is not available in Mexico and his son is planning to attend college. Without Samuel’s income in the house, Samuel’s son might be forced to put away his dream of college in order to pay for his mother’s treatment. As members of the Durham community, we wholeheartedly denounce the manner in which Samuel was detained and the expedited way in which he was thrown into removal proceedings, despite the fact that U.S. representatives G.K. Butterfield and and David Price called for an investigation into his case. Echoing the words of the CityWell church where Samuel was living in sanctuary, we are appalled by the collusion between USCIS and ICE to use a legitimate immigration process as bait for ambush, and believe this undermines credibility of United States agencies and government processes. We, the Duke Student Government Equity and Outreach Committee and Durham and Regional Affairs Committee, stand with Samuel Oliver-Bruno and his family.