"No matter where I end up. I will continue fighting for justice along side all of you. " Alfredo 'Lelo" Juarez Zeferino's voluntary departure

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On July 14th, 2025 Farmworker leader and union organizer Alfredo ‘Lelo’ Juarez Zeferino requested voluntary departure from ICE detention in the United States. As of this statement, he is now reunited with family and friends in his hometown in Mexico. We are happy for him because he will be able to spend his birthday on August 6th with his parents and siblings.

That this departure was necessary for his dignity and safety represents a tremendous miscarriage of justice, and a profound loss for all of us. We are relieved that he successfully removed himself from ICE’s inhumane treatment. We value his wisdom and unwavering clarity that brought him to decide for voluntary departure. At a young age, Lelo had already played a critical role in the well-being of farmworker communities, and by extension, the well-being of all of us who benefit from farmworker labor in our food system. His commitment to justice and dignity is an extraordinary example that inspires and strengthens our community. 

The conditions at Northwest ICE Processing Center have always been unacceptable, and we respect Lelo’s choice to remove himself from the continued physical and psychological violence of detention. It was increasingly clear to all of us that due process was not being followed, and no justice would be found. The system is functioning as designed! To exploit the labor and assault the dignity of immigrants who dare to stand up against injustice. 

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We would like to offer our gratitude to each and every one of you who participated in our campaigns for Lelo’s freedom. Thank you to everyone who showed up for our solidarity rallies at his hearing dates, thank you to everyone who shared his story and helped garner national and international attention. Thank you to everyone who wrote Lelo letters, visited him in detention, donated to his legal case, or purchased items from the Solidarity Store to support his family. Remaining funds will be used to support Lelo and his family’s transition into their community in Mexico. Lelo has been in the US since he was a child, and his younger siblings have never lived in Mexico. 

Though this was not the outcome we were striving for, our movements continue to grow in strength as we stand in solidarity together. 

Today we celebrate that Lelo is free, and again demand the freedom of all people detained by ICE! 

Resist ICE’s unlawful kidnappings! 

Stop attacking immigrants! 

Keep ICE out of our communities! 

Protect the workers in our food system! 

We are each other’s best defense.

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Below is the letter Lelo wrote while still in detention on July 14, he asked we share with the people that have supported him: 

Hello everyone my name is Alfredo Juarez Zeferino “Lelo”. I am a farmworker and an organizer with C2C. I am also member of Familias Unidas por la Justicia. I want to say thank you to everyone for all you wonderful support. 

My story of organizing started on July 12, 2013  in a blueberry field in Skagit County, exactly 12 years and 4 days. Throughout these many years of fight for justice we have won major victory for farmworkers. For example paid rest break and overtime. I started working in the field a the age of 13 now I am 25. When I started working in the field we didn’t have rest break or lunch time. Since 2017 I have been working under a union contract and I am very proud of this. 

On March 25, 2025 around 7:15am after I left my house in Sedro Wolley. I was pulled over by a un-mark car within a few seconds my car was boxed in by many law enforcement vehicle. One of the ICE agent approach my car and asked to see my ID, I said okay. I asked the ICE agent to give me a reason why I was pulled over or to show me a warrant. My car window was rolled down a few inch, enough where the Agent and I had clear communication. Also I was asking to see a warrant the ICE agent broke my car window. He put his hand inside my car trying to unlock my car. I opened the door and raised my hand, I was put against my car and was put in handcuff. Since that day I lost my freedom. 

Now I am in this terrible place. The condition is really bad. The food is bad sometimes we ger our 3rd meal of the day, the morning of the next day. 

We all know that the immigration system needs a lot of work. Now that I am here I am seen just how bad things are. So far I have gotten Zero Justice. 

I encourage everyone to stay strong and keep fighting. There are many actions that you be part of for example show up at a protest. Attend your city council meeting. Use your first Amendment right. Talk to your representatives let them know your concerns. 

I have very limited options but I want everyone to know no matter where I end up. I will continue fighting for justice along side all of you. Again thank you for your support. 

One of my favorite chant is “Uno Somos todos. Todos somos uno.” We are all one. One we are all. 

Si se pude.