Thread: Mexican invader, agitator to get the boot

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/loca ... &cset=true

Illegal immigrant fights to stay in U.S. with son
Activisit is facing deportation Tuesday

By Oscar Avila
Tribune staff reporter
Published August 9, 2006

A woman who has become one of Chicago's most visible advocates for illegal immigrants now faces deportation herself.

Elvira Arellano, who was arrested in 2002 during an immigration sweep at O'Hare International Airport, has received a letter from the Department of Homeland Security to report to its downtown Chicago offices Tuesday. Immigration officials say they intend to deport her to Mexico as soon as that day.

Arellano had received a stay of deportation after church leaders, immigrant advocates and others had rallied public support for her case.

She received backing from U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez, both Democrats from Illinois, and other elected officials.

"I realize time is running out," said Arellano, 31. "I am nervous. I am practically shaking."

Arellano took to the radio airwaves Tuesday morning to help urge Hispanic listeners to mobilize around her again. Other supporters were calling elected officials to see if they could intervene.

But Gail Montenegro, a spokeswoman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Chicago, said Tuesday that the government has a responsibility to treat all immigrants equally, regardless of public opinion.

The outcry comes for a woman who was an anonymous single mother working as a cleaner when immigration agents arrested her in 2002. Coming soon after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the U.S. government was working to secure the nation's aviation system.

But Arellano often told crowds that she was no terrorist, and she became a poster child for the state's 400,000 illegal immigrants.

She also faced passionate criticism with many calling her arrogant for demanding favorable treatment even though she broke the law.

Arellano received a stay of deportation that allowed her to care for her son, a U.S. citizen who suffers from ADHD and other health problems. She helped found a group called United Latino Family, which lobbies for families with undocumented parents and U.S. citizen children.

Supporters want the Department of Homeland Security to extend her stay again. But with a perception that the government is increasing enforcement, allies are not optimistic.

"It's obvious that the government is pushing this very aggressive climate out there against undocumented workers," said Emma Lozano, executive director of Centro Sin Fronteras, a Pilsen advocacy group.

Deborah Achim, Chicago field office director for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Office of Detention and Removal, said the U.S. government has no basis to extend Arellano's stay unless Congress requests it.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the agency had received no such request, she said.

"At this point, they haven't produced anything that would be the basis for a stay," she said.

Deport her and her anchor babies. I don't feel sorry for her at all.

Yep. Get on the bus lady, time to go back home. Take your kids w/ you.

Yes! She should be sent back with NO CHANCE to ever return to this country. Illegal invaders should never receive amnesty. Groups and religions who harbor the illegals should also be charged with criminal intent.