Friends and neighbors of a beloved Port Washington bagel shop manager are rallying together after his sudden detention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement last Thursday.

The community gathered at the Port Washington train station Saturday morning across the street from the Schmear Bagel & Cafe to show their solidarity for 40-year-old Fernando Mejia. Throughout the peaceful protest community members called for change saying Mejia was a hard working law abiding father who should’ve never been targeted by ICE. He came to this country from El Salvador and now he's being detained for overstaying a visa 20 years ago.

His coworkers like Nicole Martinez are standing by his side.

“He’s been here for more than 20 something years,” Martinez said. “He works by a paycheck so he pays taxes. His whole life is here. The community loves him.”

News 12’s Kelly Kennedy also spoke with Mejia’s father who is devastated and desperate to be reunited with his son. Mejia also has a 14-year-old daughter.

News 12 reached out to ICE for comment but so far we haven’t heard back.