Thread: Charge dropped against Portland immigrant activist Francisco Aguirre

Charge dropped against Portland immigrant activist Francisco Aguirre

BY CHRIS LIEDLE, KATU NEWS MONDAY, JUNE 20TH 2016


PORTLAND, Ore. -- After a long year and half battle with the federal government, the U.S. Department of Justice dropped its charge of "illegal re-entry" against immigrant activist Francisco Aguirre.

An inter-faith celebration was held at the Augustana Lutheran Church in Northeast Portland Sunday night.

"A little bit of relief in my life for my family and community who is behind me," Aguirre said.

Aguirre first came to the U.S. in 1994 from El Salvador. Although, he was deported in 2000 after a drug conviction. Aguirre returned to the U.S. several years later. Since then, he's gotten married, had two children and became an activist for "day laborers" in the Portland area.

A DUI charge in 2014 alerted immigration officials Aguirre was in the country illegally.

Aguirre took refuge at the church after immigration officials sought to arrest him Sept. 19, 2014 at his home in Fairview, a suburb of Portland. He spent 81 days inside the church to avoid deportation.

"This is been a year and a half battle," Reverend Mark Knutson told KATU News. "You have faith leaders, family, you have elected officials, and it shows that we can do together."

The 900-member Augustana Lutheran Church is one of several dozen churches in Oregon that are part of the sanctuary movement and have pledged to give refuge to immigrants living in the country illegally.

"This is one case and we have work to do in this country and nobody should be afraid," Knutson said. "Step out in faith. Stand up together. Open the doors together, and let's really welcome people."

Aguirre isn't completely out of the woods yet. He is not a legal U.S. citizen and fears he still could be deported by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Aguirre says ICE served him with a "Notice of Intent to Issue a Final Administrative Removal Order." The order states a non-citizen can be deported without judicial oversight provided by immigration court.

"Every time you go out, you don't know if you're coming back. You don't know if it's the last time you're going to see your kids," Aguirre said surrounded by supporters. "I believe that the people, the head of ICE, are human beings also and that they will understand that this is not just implementing law, but it's humane."

The U.S. Department of Justice told Aguirre's attorney they dropped its charge because El Salvador is in the midst of a bloody civil war. They also recognized Aguirre is a respected figure in the Hispanic community.

Charge dropped against Portland immigrant activist Francisco Aguirre ...

Aquirre choose to come her illegal,use drugs, was deported and returned again to be caught again, Then caught for DWI why is he still here? Broke the law, now is afraid of being deported? Would this same church help a citizen of the US (most likely not) This is exactly why we have laws but apparently they only apply to citizens. This is what makes me sick.

So pretty much Obama's Department of Justice let him off the hook because he is a poltiical asset to their pro amnesty agenda. Welcome to 3rd world America where "big chief" Obama says Francisco Aguirre can stay thus that become law instead of the will of the people!

W

The "new" scam...hiding behind Churches and it needs to END now!

Can any criminal go run into a Church now and get off scott free?

Beezer, "the new scam". That's exactly what it is.