Minnesota Public Radio has reported about nine immigration activists placed in a detention center while protesting deportations that have taken place in our nation. It is claimed that all nine of them were brought into the United States illegally when they were children.
Apparently the nine intentionally crossed the Mexican border and then attempted to return to the United States. The nine were then placed under arrest and placed into federal custody. However, immigration asylum officers made a ruling that the nine did have reason to fear persecution or torture in the countries where they were born and therefore could not be deported until further determinations were made.
Being so far removed from the circumstances, it may be difficult Minnesota residents to comprehend what Latin American immigrants would be forced to undergo if they were made to return to their native countries. They fear for their own lives and the lives of their families.
Legislative inaction is likely trying the patience of many undocumented immigrants. While always being at risk of being arrested and deported, these immigrants have also been forced to endure long waiting periods to find out if their asylum requests will be granted.
The Justice Department has reported that only 126 out of 9,206 requests from Mexican nationals had been granted in 2012. This appears to be true for immigrants from other Latin American countries as well. When facing these sorts of delays, undocumented immigrants will require all the help that they can get concerning any asylum request.
Experienced immigration attorneys can possibly expedite the process by placing immigrants in touch with the right individuals, and by making certain that all paperwork filed meets immigration official requirements.
Source: MPR News, “‘Dream 9’ Activists Released From Immigration Detention,” Eyder Peralta, Aug. 8, 2013
