A 10-Year-Old May Be Deported Because His Mom Was Scared To Tell U.S. Officials He’s Gay
A 10-Year-Old May Be Deported Because His Mom Was Scared To Tell U.S. Officials Hes Gay
by Esther Yu-Hsi Lee Nov 10, 2015 9:13am
Maria and her 10-year-old son Jose fled El Salvador in early October to seek asylum in the United States, hoping they may finally be able to leave gang violence behind. For the three months up until they left, MS-13 gang members targeted Jose every day for being gay, calling him homophobic names and beating him up in school. The pair ultimately decided to cross the border to reunite with Marias brother in Maryland. But now, they may be sent back as soon as Wednesday.
After Maria and Jose whose names have been changed for their protection crossed the southern U.S. border last month, they were sent to Karnes County Residential Center in Texas, which is one of three major immigrant family detention centers used to hold people before they can go before an immigration judge at their court hearing. In order to qualify for asylum in this country, Maria and Jose needed to prove to the judge they have credible fear that prevents them from feeling safe in their home country.
They didnt meet the criteria. Since homosexuality is not accepted in El Salvador and their family is deeply religious, Maria felt too ashamed to discuss her sons sexuality and the homophobic slurs he has encountered with the asylum officer during her credible fear interview. She did not have legal counsel during her interview nor when her case was reviewed by an immigration judge. And her son was not given the chance to explain his circumstances.
Maria and Joses case was taken up by Emily Puhl, an Immigrant Justice Corps Fellow and pro bono attorney at the advocacy group RAICES, who initially asked for a reinterview and a stay of removal. That request was denied on Tuesday. The Salvadoran consulate informed the mother and son that they would be deported this week.
More:
http://thinkprogress.org/immigration/2015/11/10/3720872/mother-child-gay-el-salvador-deportation/
tblue37
(65,487 posts)gregcrawford
(2,382 posts)... just because a few malicious bureaucrats were too goddamned lazy and/or prejudiced to do their jobs properly. Such incompetence should have consequences.
Sunlei
(22,651 posts)some have been in those 'for profit' detention camp jails for 2 years.