ICE is Cold – Atlantic has Warm Hearts

ICE Overcome with emotion and gratitude for the more than 100 men, women and children who turned out in support of his brother, Ruberto, the popular Emilio Vicens, owner of Emilio’s Restaurant on Center Avenue, Atlantic Highlands, thanked the crowd and told them “this makes me want to be more generous than ever to all of you.”

The crowd gathered Monday afternoon at Veterans Park opposite Atlantic Highlands Borough Hall after Steve Boracchia learned Emilio’s brother, Ruberto, a long-time chef at Emilio’s and other restaurants in the borough, had been detained by ICE when he was in a car with another man whom ICE was apparently tracking.

Boracchia, former Republican councilman, turned to Mayor Lori Hohenleitner for assistance in bringing Ruberto back home. The mayor reached out to Congressman Frank Pallone, Middletown Mayor Tony Perry since Roberto lives in Belford, and Kerry Kennedy, a friend who is a strategist with the non-profit American Friends Community Service.

The mayor also started a Go Fund Me page to retain legal advice for Ruberto, a fund that raised more than $40,000 in the first 48 hours. She also began arrangements for the Veterans Park event so the people of the area could show support for the Vicens family.

With elementary school age children sprawled across sheets on the grass designing and making signs calling for Ruberto to be free, scores of adults of all ages, some with canes and elderly, gathered to show their concern for Ruberto and their desire to send letters appealing to the court to recognize his contributions to the borough and its residents over many years.

Boracchia opened the brief ceremony with the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag, after being introduced by Hohenleitner who thanked him for including her and noting the event was not anything political, simply “the heart of our community.” Saying how proud she was of the community, the mayor thanked Borrichia as a partner in this incident, describing the US Naval Academy graduate as “a really good guy.”

Boracchia said he first learned from Emilio about his brother being taken by ICE after he was in a vehicle with another employee who apparently was wanted by ICE for failing to have proper identification papers.

He recalled how kind both Emilio and Ruberto have always been to children and families, and how much a part of the community they are. Saying he has known Ruberto for more than ten years, he recognized the power of strength in numbers and thanked the mayor for responding to his call for assistance, saying she also brought the matter to the attention of the Governor’s office as well as the others. While praising Ruberto as a hard worker, a family man, loving father, and a dear friend, and praising the funds that have been made to help restore him to his family and the borough, Boracchia also reminded those in attendance their generosity might also be helpful to the many Coast Guard men and women as well as Navy personnel stationed both at Sandy Hook and NWS Earle, who will not be receiving paychecks this week and may also be in need of assistance.

Boracchia noted while he does not have all the details about Ruberto’s detainment, he knows his papers are in order and thanked all for their concern and prayers that he would return to his family soon.

Kennedy, who is active with the AFSC, urged everyone to stand together and with dignity support the Vicens family. She thanked all for the cards of support the family has also received.

The American Friends Community Service was established in 1917 by a group of Quaker friends and is a Nobel Prize winning organization for the work it has done. Today, it continues to bring together people of all faiths and backgrounds to challenge injustice and build peace around the globe.

Hohenleitner announced a group will be going to Delaney Hall in Newark where Ruberto is currently being held and will be meeting at the Yacht Harbor at 12:30 for a safety briefing before going to Newark. She also urged everyone to write Judge Catherine Sweeney Hayden, the senior US district judge of the US District Court and express their thoughts on Ruberto and the contributions he continues to make to his community.

The most emotional talks of the afternoon were by Emilio and two daughters, who spoke of their love for his brother and his family. In response to the crowd’s sincerity in agreeing with the mayor he is the most generous person they know, the restaurant owner said he was overwhelmed and enjoys cooking. “I put a lot of food on the plate because I want everyone to eat everything,” he said, trying to bring some light moments to the afternoon, “and I want to be sure they eat everything I give them because I don’t want to hire a dishwasher,” he concluded to laughter and applause.

Emilio’s daughters Isabella and Maria, simply tried to help each other through thanks and appreciation to the crowd in explaining their affection for and concern for their Uncle Ruberto.

After the event ended, scores of adults lined the park along First Avenue, holding their sings about freedom, support for immigrants and justice for all, responding to the beeping of cars in support with cheers and thanks for more than an hour during the normal commuter rush hours from Sea Streak ferry.

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