BROCKPORT, N.Y. — Students and union members gathered at SUNY Brockport on Friday to support German Machado, a campus employee detained by federal immigration agents earlier this week.

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News10NBC’s Garrett Chan was on campus for the rally, where participants handed out stickers, papers and signed a poster calling for Machado’s return. Alissa Karl, vice president of academics for United University Professions, said students and employees are worried about Machado’s detention.

“So not just employees, but students are really concerned about a fellow member of this campus who’s got every right to be in this country and work in this country and has been detained for no reason. And we we want him to have due process quickly, and we want him to come back to work and back home with his family,” Karl said.

Karl said the union worked with Machado’s wife to organize the event according to her wishes. The union said Machado had authorization to work in the United States until 2029. However, the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement said having work authorization or a pending application does not mean legal status in the U.S.

“This is part of the creating a climate of fear, right? That folks feel like, you know, even if they have, you know, kind of full status and they’re documented that they can be picked up off of the street. And that’s the opposite of what a higher ed institution like Brockport wants to provide, right? We want people to be secure and safe and, you know, kind of pursue their goals and dreams,” Karl said.

Some students said they did not know Machado personally but felt it was important to support a key member of the campus community. Shaun Victory, a SUNY Brockport student, said Machado’s work was essential.

“Talk to any staff member and any student here on campus, and they’ll tell you about the work that he did was invaluable. I mean, there’s online class, and the entire academic infrastructure is online. So people that do the work that he does are invaluable to the campus life,” Victory said.

Other students said seeing an ICE arrest happen locally made the situation feel more personal. Paix Day, a SUNY Brockport student, shared their perspective.

“I know what it’s like to come from a family of immigrants. So, you know, living my whole life hearing, whether my family was going to be, like, separated or not. It’s heartbreaking seeing members of the community like, being separated from their families, like, you know, left and right,” Day said.

Union members said they have been checking in with Machado’s wife to provide mental and emotional support and to ensure she has legal representation. DHS said Machado legally entered the U.S. in August 2016 and had until February 2017 to stay legally.

The rally concluded with calls for Machado’s return and support for his family as the campus community awaits further information.

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