Mexican Senate takes up cause of mother deported from United States


By: ISTRA PACHECO - Associated Press

MEXICO CITY -- A Mexican Senate committee passed a measure Wednesday urging President Felipe Calderon to send a diplomatic note to the United States protesting the deportation of an illegal migrant who took refuge in a Chicago church for a year.

The committee also approved a scholarship to help her 8-year-old U.S.-born son, Saul, who is an American citizen and stayed in the United States.

Elvira Arellano, 32, became an activist and a national symbol for illegal immigrant parents by defying her deportation order and speaking out from her sanctuary in the Adalberto United Methodist Church. She announced last week that she was leaving to try to lobby U.S. lawmakers for immigration reform.

On Sunday, shortly after she spoke at a rally in a Los Angeles church, she was arrested and deported to Tijuana, across the border from San Diego.

"We cannot remain quiet in view of this injustice and must ask for firm action from our authorities," Mexican Sen. Humberto Zazue said.

He accused the United States of violating international deportation accords by denying her access to the Mexican Consulate in Los Angeles.

Arellano, who was at the committee's session, said Saul is in Chicago in the care of his godmother and will attend a Sept. 12 rally for immigration reform in Washington. She said she would help organize a rally in Tijuana that same day to demand Mexican authorities do more to protect migrants.

"For me it is very important that our government take a strong stand to defend all of us who decide to migrate to another country," she said.

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/08 ... _23_07.txt

Comments On This Story

Note: Comments reflect the views of readers and not necessarily those of the North County Times or its staff.

Skip wrote on Aug 23, 2007 10:05 PM:" Now why can't Mexico provide scholarships to all kids of Mexican decent in California? I am quite sure that every taxpayer in California realizes that the cost of education in the state of California, is our biggest expense. "

WHERE IS THE COMPARRISON? wrote on Aug 23, 2007 10:12 PM:
" Did Rosa Parks break any Federal or State laws? Did Rosa parks get deported and then Illegally enter the country a second time in defiance of U.S. laws. Did Rosa parks steal someone else's Social Security number for her personal gain? Did Rosa parks work at an International Airport in violation of Federal Security laws? When Rosa Parks stood up for what she believed in did she run and hide from authorities or did she stand up like a woman and say I am ready for you? And lastly was Rosa Parks an American Citizen, and not a Citizen of a Foreign Country who was illegally present in the United States. I think most of you know the answers, and if not maybe you should look it up. "

Janie wrote on Aug 23, 2007 10:18 PM:" Very ignorant, what an embarrasment. "

SHE NEEDS TO FIX MEXICO NOT THE USA wrote on Aug 23, 2007 10:19 PM:" http://images.townnews.com/nctimes.com/ ... 082307.jpg "

Adam wrote on Aug 23, 2007 10:21 PM:" Since when does Mexico have only one border. They jeolously guard thier Southern Border, with the Military, La Migra, and the Police. "

Mike wrote on Aug 23, 2007 10:21 PM: " Yea, Right, "

Add Your Comments or Letter to the Editor

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/08 ... _23_07.txt