The day after he graduated from high school, LAPD shot Pedro Echeverria four times, nearly killing him. Though no officer was injured in the incident, LAPD then charged Pedro with assault with a deadly weapon on an officer, for which he served 5 years in prison. As a result of that conviction, Pedro is now in Otay Mesa detention facility, facing deportation to El Salvador. ICE must release Pedro so that he can rejoin his family and community.

The state failed Pedro many times before it almost took his life. Pedro came to the U.S. with his family as a young child. When he was just in middle school, Pedro began to hang out with older kids and drink heavily. Because of his drinking, Pedro was removed from his parents' home around age 12, a trauma that then led to Pedro's drug use and gang involvement. As a teenager, Pedro nevertheless began to take positive and healthy steps: he joined community groups, graduated from high school, and planned to go to college. But throughout, LAPD subjected Pedro to an escalating pattern of violence, in which officers repeatedly harassed Pedro and subjected him to both physical and verbal abuse. This pattern culminated in the shooting.

Despite the many injustices he has suffered, Pedro has grown into a thoughtful and loving young man, wise beyond his years. He is an artist and a poet; a son and a brother; and a member of a community united in supporting him. Pedro has turned experiences that would break most people into a means of transforming himself. Pedro has a large and supportive community ready to welcome him home and support him as he makes the transition to freedom.

Pedro has been separated from his family for far too long. He needs your help to advocate for his freedom. Tell ICE to release Pedro immediately!