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Article published Oct 4, 2007

Breaking news: Civil rights groups' letter to Court of Judiciary concerning Young obtained

By Rick Laney
of The Daily Times Staff

The Daily Times has obtained a copy of the letter sent by three civil rights organizations to the Tennessee Court of the Judiciary expressing concern over Circuit Court Judge W. Dale Young’s treatment of Ana Calixto, a Nicaraguan immigrant who went to Blount County Circuit Court seeking an order of protection from her estranged husband.

The Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC), the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) sent a letter Wednesday afternoon outlining concerns about Young’s conduct during the order of protection hearing in his courtroom Sept. 7.

According to multiple witnesses, the judge asked the Calixtos if they were in the United States legally, told them they had no rights in court and instructed them to go back where they came from. He then dismissed Ana Calixto’s request for an order of protection.

Ana Calixto said she then asked the judge what that would do to her two children — both legal U.S. citizens — the judge reportedly told her there were Americans here in this country who can take care of her children.

Ana Calixto has been in the United States legally since 1994 when she came here to attend school and work. She met her husband, an immigrant from Mexico, in the United States and the couple has a U.S. marriage license issued by the state of Virginia.

The Calixtos have been separated for nine months and are currently in the process of getting a divorce.

Although Ana Calixto is a legal immigrant, law experts say immigration and residency status is irrelevant in a U.S. court.

While the three organizations that issued the letter would not discuss details of what it said until the Court of the Judiciary had a chance to receive it, two of the groups did confirm that the joint letter was sent.

In late September, the Tennessee Court of the Judiciary launched an investigation of Young and a state investigator, Jim LaRue came to Blount County to conduct interviews.

The Court of the Judiciary is charged with providing a process by which sanctions can be imposed against a judge and, when necessary, provide procedures for the removal of a judge.

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http://www.thedailytimes.com/article/20 ... S/71004014

There is a PDF link on the page to read the letter sent by the 3

Psalm 91