POMPANO BEACH Sitting on the grass outside the Broward Transitional Center 8 year old Bryan Diaz wrote his dad a somber but hopeful Father's Day card.
In Spanish he wrote Happy Father's Day. Daddy I love you. I will get you out of there.
Bryan's promise to help free his father Jose Diaz 40 may be unfulfilled. Diaz was detained by authorities two months ago for being in the country illegally and faces deportation to his native Honduras.
Diaz's case was highlighted Saturday during a rally organized by the Florida Immigrant Coalition and a host of other organizations. Their goal Draw attention to the plight of families awaiting comprehensive immigration reform.
About 100 people attended. Some were fearful because of their undocumented status in the United States. But they showed up to take a stand they said.
Fear is not going to overcome me said Bryan's mother and Jose Diaz's wife Marcela Espinal of Miami. I am going to fight.
Organizers said they want President Obama to immediately stop deportations and for politicians to pass immigration reform that offers a path to citizenship said Natalia Jaramillo spokeswoman for the Coalition.
It's a sad day in America that the day before Father's Day we have to stand here to ask the leaders of our nation to preserve our families said Marleine Bastien chairwoman of the Coalition and executive director of Haitian Women of Miami. It's also a good day because we are here. We are together we are united.
In the crowd crestfallen children and teary eyed mothers held posters that plead for their loved ones to be released. One read Father's Day means nothing without a father to celebrate.
Children including Bryan also created Father's Day cards with construction paper and markers for fathers detained at the center.
Bryan said he hoped to hand deliver his card to his dad along with a Miami Heat shirt as a gift. But visits are allowed on specific days his mother said and Bryan won't be able to see his dad on Father's Day.
Jose Diaz a window cleaner who has three children and a wife in South Florida is scheduled for deportation Monday Espinal said.
epesantes tribune.com or 954 356 4543 or Twitter epesantes ___
(c)2013 the Sun Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale Fla.)
Visit the Sun Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale Fla.) at www.sun sentinel.com
Distributed by MCT Information Services
Loading SlideshowImmigrant families rally at detention center for Father's Day call on Rubio Diaz Balart
Immigrant families rally at detention center for Father's Day call on Rubio Diaz Balart
Immigrant families rally at detention center for Father's Day call on Rubio Diaz Balart
Immigrant families rally at detention center for Father's Day call on Rubio Diaz Balart
Immigrant families rally at detention center for Father's Day call on Rubio Diaz Balart
Immigrant families rally at detention center for Father's Day call on Rubio Diaz Balart
Immigrant families rally at detention center for Father's Day call on Rubio Diaz Balart
Immigrant families rally at detention center for Father's Day call on Rubio Diaz Balart
Immigrant families rally at detention center for Father's Day call on Rubio Diaz Balart
Immigrant families rally at detention center for Father's Day call on Rubio Diaz Balart
Immigrant families rally at detention center for Father's Day call on Rubio Diaz Balart
Immigrant families rally at detention center for Father's Day call on Rubio Diaz Balart
Immigrant families rally at detention center for Father's Day call on Rubio Diaz Balart
Immigrant families rally at detention center for Father's Day call on Rubio Diaz Balart
Immigrant families rally at detention center for Father's Day call on Rubio Diaz Balart
Immigrant families rally at detention center for Father's Day call on Rubio Diaz Balart
Immigrant families rally at detention center for Father's Day call on Rubio Diaz Balart
Immigrant families rally at detention center for Father's Day call on Rubio Diaz Balart
Immigrant families rally at detention center for Father's Day call on Rubio Diaz Balart
Immigrant families rally at detention center for Father's Day call on Rubio Diaz Balart
Immigrant families rally at detention center for Father's Day call on Rubio Diaz Balart
Immigrant families rally at detention center for Father's Day call on Rubio Diaz Balart
Immigrant families rally at detention center for Father's Day call on Rubio Diaz Balart
Immigrant families rally at detention center for Father's Day call on Rubio Diaz Balart
Immigrant families rally at detention center for Father's Day call on Rubio Diaz Balart
Immigrant families rally at detention center for Father's Day call on Rubio Diaz Balart
Immigrant families rally at detention center for Father's Day call on Rubio Diaz Balart
Immigrant families rally at detention center for Father's Day call on Rubio Diaz Balart
Immigrant families rally at detention center for Father's Day call on Rubio Diaz Balart
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