FERNANDO CABRERA COUNCIL MEMBER, 14TH DISTRICT, BRONX MAJORITY WHIP

CHAIR

DISTRICT OFFICE GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS 107 E. BURNSIDE AVE ------BRONX, NEW YORK 10453 COMMITTEES THE COUNCIL TEL: (347) 590-2874 FIRE & EMERGENCY MGT. FAX: (347) 590-2878 O F HOUSING & BUILDINGS THE CITY OF NEW YORK CITY HALL OFFICE MENTAL HEALTH 250 BROADWAY, PUBLIC SAFETY 17TH FLOOR NEW YORK, NY 10007 SANITATION & SOLID WASTE MGT. TEL: (212) 788-7074 ------FAX: (212) 788-8849 CO – CHAIR GUN GUN VIOLENCE TASK FORCE

March 8, 2019

Mr. Tom Decker, Director New York Field Office Immigration and Customs Enforcement 26 Federal Plaza New York, NY 10278

RE: Baba Sillah; A#070-895-064

Dear Mr. Decker:

I am writing this letter on behalf of Mr. Sillah, who is pending removal through Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Mr. Sillah is an immigrant from Gambia who has resided in the United States for over 25 years. His United States citizen wife, Ms. Sillah, filed a family-based petition on his behalf that was approved by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). His lawyers will be filing for a green card, which they predict will be granted. Mr. Sillah will need an I-212 waiver to remain in the U.S., which his lawyers have filed. Mr. Sillah was detained when he appeared for his scheduled check-in in January of 2019.

Mr. Sillah and his wife have five United States Citizen children, one as young as 9-months, who are distraught by his absence. Mr. Sillah is a union member with a good family- sustaining job. His Union was able to secure a 6-month leave of absence from his employer so he will be able to return to his good job once his immigration issue is resolved. He has a misdemeanor criminal record for selling goods on the streets without a license but has otherwise led a productive life in the U.S. Mr. Sillah is not a danger to anyone. His removal would be cruel, and the financial and emotional hardships to his family would be devastating if he is no longer able to remain in the United States while his I-212 waiver is being considered.

Mr. Sillah’s friends and community request your office’s favorable exercise of discretion so that he may remain here at home with his family and continue to work to support them. We would appreciate your review of this matter as well as your full and fair consideration consistent with applicable United States rules and regulations.

Thank you for your immediate attention to this important matter.

Sincerely, City Council Majority Leader Council Member Adrienne Adams Council Member Council Member Council Member Council Member Council Member Council Member Council Member Council Member Steve Levin Council Member Mark Levine Council Member Council Member I . Council Member Keith Powers Council Member Council Member Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez

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