Message from German’s Wife Maria:

NEARLY 10 YEARS WAITING FOR ASYLUM. NOW MY HUSBAND IS IN ICE DETENTION.

My family came to the United States seeking protection. We followed the legal process, filed our asylum application in 2016, and have waited nearly a decade for our case to be heard.

Now, my husband has been detained by ICE, leaving our family in fear and uncertainty.

We are a family, not a case number. We deserve answers, due process, and the opportunity to remain together.

JUSTICE. DIGNITY. FAMILY UNITY.

Miji Velázquez

October 28th, 2026

Community Counts – join us for an event to show ongoing support for German Machado…

Hello,

Thank you to those that came out to show support for our colleague and community member German Machado on October 15th. Thank you for doing that. His family appreciates the support and German knows you showed up for him too.

Tomorrow it will mark two weeks since German was detained. Think of all the beautiful fall days we have shared during that time, while German and his family have been separated.

Many of you have reached out to ask for updates and how you can continue to help. So we would like to invite everyone to join us again for a “Community Counts” show of support for German Wednesday October 28th from 11-1pm on the mall on Brockport campus (same time same place).

Please come and learn about German and immigrant rights; leave a donation to recognize German for the Brockport Pantry (if you can); and pick up a lawn sign to support German (if you would like)

A summary of the event is below and on the attached flyer – we really hope to see you there.

Susan Orr – on behalf of the UUP Brockport Chapter

Community Counts – Show Ongoing Support for German Machado

When: Wednesday October 28th from 11-1pm on the Brockport Campus Mall by the Flag Poles

What: Learn about German’s situation and immigrant rights – leave a donation to recognize German for the food pantry (if you can) – collect a lawn sign to support German (if you would like).

ACTION ON OCTOBER 15th

Colleagues, as you may know, a Brockport UUP member German Machado who works in IT was detained by ICE on Tuesday morning as he was leaving for work. He is currently in the Batavia detention center. German has legal authorization to work in the US and has been a resident since 2016. 

UUP is coordinating a show of support for German – on Thursday from 11-1 in Seymour Union. Please can you let members in your departments know about this. If possible, please come along and show your support and bring some colleagues with you. We will have flyers and stickers and a banner or card to sign. This is not a political event it is simply a way to show German that we care about him. We have been in touch with German’s family and they would greatly appreciate our support.

Let me know if you have any questions or concerns. We are exploring other ways to support German, and while this initial show of support is quite modest it will certainly be meaningful. 

Thanks for your help, Susan

PS – I just wanted to share how grateful I was to be driving home to my family yesterday evening – I hope German can do the same soon.