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Posted Online: 8-23-2007
Editorial: Deported immigrant made her own choices



Every issue seems to gain a face, and in the case of illegal immigration, that face now belongs to one Elvira Arellano.

Arellano, 32, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, had holed up in a Chicago church for a year to avoid being deported. She has a son, Saul, 8.

Then rather suddenly (and rather surprisingly), Arellano left the church last weekend to attend a Los Angeles rally for immigrants’ rights. After she spoke there, she was promptly arrested and sent back to Mexico. Her son is staying with the family of the Methodist minister in whose Chicago church she found refuge for a year.

After her arrest and deportation, Arellano told the media, “They were in a hurry to deport me because they saw that I was threatening to mobilize and organize the people to fight for legalization. I have a fighting spirit and I’m going to continue fighting.â€