An undocumented immigrant living in Brookline will be transported to a Youngtown, Ohio, prison while he awaits a federal trial.
Martin Esquivel Hernandez was pulled over in March, accused of not having a proper’s driver’s license. A few days later, officials from ICE took him from his Brookline home.
Esquivel-Hernandez said he came to the U.S. to escape violence in Mexico City. If he is found guilty of a felony, he will be deported.
Speaking through a translator, his wife told Channel 11 News that the past few months have been difficult for their young children.
Dozens of people gathered outside of a Pittsburgh courthouse on Thursday expecting that Esquivel-Hernandez would be released. Instead, his attorney rejected a plea deal with the U.S. government, so the two sides will go to trial next month.
"They are bad because these are things they cannot understand,” Alma Brigido said.
Esquivel-Hernandez’s family was visibly emotional when they learned he wouldn’t be home for the holidays. They said they hope he will walk out of federal court a free man when he’s tried in January.
Many people said he is a pillar of the Brookline community.
Pittsburgh chaplain Rev. Paul Dordal said, “Martin is an incredible community man, a family man who deserves to be released from prison to return to his family."
Supporters marched through downtown Pittsburgh Thursday, calling for the charges against Esquivel-Hernandez to be dropped.
They also called on Pittsburgh to become a sanctuary city, protecting undocumented immigrants like Martin.
A spokesman for Mayor Bill Peduto said the city only helps ICE officers track down undocumented immigrants who commit crimes.
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