Immigration advocates rally in support of Annapolis man detained by ICE

BALTIMORE - A rally was held Monday afternoon in front of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Baltimore office speaking out about what they say is unfair tactics targeting immigrants.

This comes after a recent incident at the BoatHouse Canton restaurant in Baltimore where 30 employees left the restaurant after a request from ICE to review I-9 forms.

The march started on nearby streets and ended at the federal building where church leaders, immigrant advocates and family members of those facing deportation spoke against the Trump administration.

The family of Guillermo Recinos Morales, an artist and handyman from Annapolis who came to the country from El Salvador over a decade ago, called for the asylum of the father of four children, who was taken into ICE custody back in April outside his home.

"My father has never demonstrated selfish actions," said Morales' daughter through a translator. "To the contrary, his actions have shown only honesty and courage to give a better life to my mother and my brother and sisters."

Morales's daughter told the crowd at the rally that her father has no criminal history and is essentially a part of the fabric of the Annapolis community, creating chicken statues around the area.

Other advocates spoke out not only in support of Morales, but also rallying behind other immigrants, they say, have been terrorized by the government. And their message today was loud and clear.

"Our nation's capital has been infected with chickens," Rev. Traci Blackmon told the crowd. "Chickens who hide behind pens and paper. Chickens who hide behind security. Chickens who hide behind faces instead of getting out with the people. Chickens who hide behind toxic tweets."

Advocates say with all of the recent ICE activity in their communities, the rally was about calling on the federal government to develop decent laws for a better pathway to citizenship.

FOX 5 spoke with ICE officials on Monday about the recent enforcement around the D.C. region, and according to them, all of those in violation of immigration laws may be subject to immigration arrest, detention and, if found removable by final order, removed from the United States.

By law, employers are provided with at least three business days to produce I-9 forms if there is a "notice of inspection."