O'Hare Standoff: Border Patrol Detaining Three Children Of Undocumented Parents

https://www.wbez.org/shows/wbez-news/ohare-standoff-border-patrol-detaining-three-children-of-undocumented-parents/285e32de-2516-4be2-b660-fd7b0419e913

Chicago lawyers and a representative from the Mexican Consulate are meeting with U.S. border patrol officials to find out why three American citizen children are being detained at O’Hare Airport. They’re arguing for the release of the children.

Several immigration lawyers, advocates and reporters have gathered inside the international terminal at O’Hare to await the outcome of what is shaping up as a standoff between border patrol and the undocumented parents of the three children, all girls, ages 9, 10 and 13.

Activists here say the children were detained by border patrol and will not be released until their parents pick them up. They’ve been detained since 3 a.m. The children flew back from Mexico early this morning with a cousin who had a valid visitor visa. The girls’ cousin is being detained, too.

Activists say that’s a trap and the parents are afraid of being detained and placed in deportation proceedings.

“This is yet another example of the abusive practices and disregard of the law,” said Mony Ruiz-Velasco, executive director of PASO West Suburban Action Project. “They have three U.S. citizen young girls detained, causing trauma and harm to this family and our communities.”

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