Thread: FL: Undocumented immigrant detained after testifying in case

Posted on Fri, Nov. 02, 2007
Undocumented immigrant detained after testifying in case
An undocumented day laborer was detained after he testified in court against a man accused of attacking him, a move denounced Friday by immigrant rights groups.
Carlos Cruz Gallego, a Colombian immigrant, was taken into custody at his Miami home shortly after he left the stand Thursday.

"This is a horrible precedent that's set," said Jonathan Fried, executive director for WeCount!, a social justice organization.

Gallego's detention sends a message to illegal immigrants that "if they're a victim of crime, they can't testify," Fried said. "And that's going to hurt the whole community."

Brooke Greco, an attorney with the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center, argued that Gallego has temporary legal status while his visa application is pending. Gallego was eligible for a "U" visa, given to victims of violent crime who cooperate with authorities. The alleged attack took place in November 2006.

But an official with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Gallego was arrested in March for overstaying his original nonimmigrant visa, and was granted bond for the sole purpose of testifying in the assault case.

Gallego was detained after his testimony because the state attorney's office said they no longer needed him for the trial, according to an ICE official familiar with the case.

The official also noted that Gallego has two aggravated felony convictions, one for possession of cocaine and the other for grand theft.

Attorney John de Leon, who called for an investigation into ICE's actions, said it makes no sense to detain Gallego before the assault case is settled.

As for Gallego's criminal history, de Leon said federal officials are trying to divert attention from the injustice of his detention.

"It's a red herring by the government," he said

http://www.miamiherald.com/775/story/293987.html

The official also noted that Gallego has two aggravated felony convictions, one for possession of cocaine and the other for grand theft.

That says it all.

"This is a horrible precedent that's set," said Jonathan Fried, executive director for WeCount!, a social justice organization.

What in the hell is this fool saying!

Mr, Idiot! The judge took an oath to uphold the law, when he was an attorney and later as a judge. No way in heck is he going to let a professed criminal illegal alien walk off. The judge and every other lawman in earshot of that thug did what was ethical and lawful.

If Mr. Illegal were not here, he would have been in our court to get caught.

Bye, bye, "don't let the border gate hit ya".

Dixie

The only reason he testified was probably so he would get a U visa as a "vicitm" of a crime.

I'm glad this scam didn't work.

But an official with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Gallego was arrested in March for overstaying his original nonimmigrant visa, and was granted bond for the sole purpose of testifying in the assault case.

Over stay of original visa !! Sorry you lose Brooke Greco

Does anyone know how this "Victim" Law was made without the citizens knowing about it untill a few mths. before it became law? who initiated it ? I want to send them a......nice email

It should be called "The Illegal Alien Scam Law" .