For Immediate Release

February 12, 2026

What follows is a statement regarding a bond order for Alcibiades “Alex” Lazaro Ramierez González, a UUP member who works at Upstate Medical University in Syracuse. He and his husband, CSEA member Yannier “Yan” Vázquez Hildago, were detained by ICE in October 2025 while waiting to attend a scheduled immigration hearing.

In January, a federal immigration judge ordered both men to be deported to Ecuador. González filed an appeal to the ruling Jan. 21; Vázquez appealed his order Jan. 22. Both men are still being held at the Buffalo Federal Detention Center in Batavia.

“We welcome this great news, that these two union members have a bond order to be released from ICE detention, even though they didn’t deserve to be there in the first place. It’s a gross injustice that they were even seized.

“Alex and Yan were following the rules, moving lawfully through the federal immigration system with the goal of one day being allowed to stay and live in America. We were—and continue to be—appalled that they were detained by ICE, which is why we’ve spoken out so forcefully in their defense.

“While we are glad that Alex and Yan will soon return home, it is not enough. Our union calls for Alex and Yan to be released so they can resume their lives in freedom while working through the process to gain full refugee status in the U.S.

“In the meantime, we encourage everyone to donate to a GoFundMe site set up for Alex and Yan - at https://www.gofundme.com/f/welcome-home-alex-and-yan - to help them post bail, pay for legal expenses and help them rebuild their lives after months of detainment.”