DETROIT — State Reps. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit) and Frank Liberati (D-Allen Park) sent a letter today to Rebecca Adducci, Detroit director of field operations for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, asking her to issue a stay of the removal order for Ded Rranxburgaj, an Albanian immigrant living in Southgate. Rranxburgaj has sought refuge in a Detroit church to avoid deportation.
“It was only a week ago that a Metro Detroit family was torn apart after a long-term resident without a criminal background was separated from his spouse and children,” Chang said. “We cannot live with a system where people are punished for doing the right thing, and I fervently hope that ICE puts a hold on this order.”
Rranxburgaj has lived in the U.S. for 17 years and has been active in his community. In addition to caring for his children, he has attended to his wife, Flora, for the last 11 years as she suffers from multiple sclerosis. In their letter, Chang and Liberati reminded Adducci of ICE’s “sensitive locations” policy, which states that generally, agents will not enter a church to make an arrest.
“Mr. Rranxburgaj pays his taxes, he cares for his wife and children — he is an embodiment of the American Dream. Why are we taking it away from him?” Liberati said. “I strongly urge ICE to do the right thing, the humane thing, and allow this loving family to remain intact.”