Thread: TX-Mexican journalist, son denied parole

Mexican journalist, son denied parole
Protesters seek release
El Paso Times Staff
Article Launched: 08/12/2008 12:00:00 AM MDT


El Paso Times

EL PASO -- Members of Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center and the Border Network for Human Rights protested Monday in front of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement offices in East El Paso after officials denied the release of Mexican journalist Emilio Gutiérrez Soto and his 15-year-old son, claiming Gutiérrez is a threat to the community.

Gutiérrez asked for asylum June 16 at the border crossing at Antelope Wells, N.M. Since then, he and his son have been detained. Gutiérrez is awaiting an asylum hearing, which may not come until December.

The release denial, issued Aug. 7, states Gutiérrez did not fulfill the requirements for parole or to be free from detention.

According to the denial, Gutiérrez failed to prove his identity, is a flight risk and represents "a danger to the community."

"How is he a threat to society?," asked Eduardo Peckett with Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center. "(ICE) put them behind bars instead of protect them.

"Gutiérrez has no criminal history, and he was known for reporting corruption among Mexican soldiers."

Gutiérrez, of the small town of Ascension, Chihuahua, is among the more than 60 Mexican citizens who have asked for political asylum at border crossings in the El Paso region since October, spurred in part by a raging drug cartel war.

Immigration lawyer Carlos Spector, who represents Gutiérrez, said the decision to not release Gutiérrez and his son contributes to Mexican

corruption, letting the same abuses to occur by another government.
"He is frustrated ... it's either death or prison, but the community support is giving him hope," Spector said.

A dozen people stood in front of the ICE building holding signs charging that the human rights of Gutiérrez and his son were being violated.

ICE officials said there is a process to follow in order for an immigrant to get asylum.

Gutiérrez may renew his request for parole at any time.

Aileen B. Flores may be reached at aflores@elpasotimes.com;546-6362.



http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_10171744

There has got to be more to this continued detention than ICE is saying.
Maybe it will come out at trial, or maybe, as usual, we will never know.