Deportation of Ann Arbor woman delayed one year
The deportation of Lourdes Salazar Bautista of Ann Arbor has been postponed one year through deferred action, immigration rights supporters said.
Bautista came to the U.S. from Mexico in 1997 and was facing deportation Dec. 27 after being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for nearly a month in July 2010.
Lourdes Salazar Bautista, who came to the U.S. from Mexico in 1997 and was facing deportation Dec. 27, appears before the Ann Arbor City Council Dec. 6 with two of her three children and a translator.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
“I want to thank everyone who has signed my petition, made phone calls and signed onto letters of support. This experience has taught me so much. I want to teach others about my struggle so that they can learn how to stand up for their families. No one else should have to go through what my family is going through," Bautista said in a statement.
Efforts to stop her deportation included the support of various local and national advocates including the Washtenaw Interfaith Coalition for Immigrant Rights, the Social Work Allies for Immigrant Rights, Dreamactivist.org, Alliance for Immigrants Rights - Michigan, Migrant Immigrant Rights Advocacy, Immigrant Rights on Campus, St. Francis of Assissi Catholic Church, Michigan Immigration and Labor Law Association, and St. Mary Student Parish Catholic Church.
Supporters last week asked the Ann Arbor City Council to help join the effort.
Organizers also held a Day of the Dead rally, a petition drive that yielded 2,500 signatures and several phone drives in support of Bautista.
“Although we are very happy that Lourdes has been granted deferred action and she will get to spend a wonderful Christmas with her family, we want to push on President Obama to implement Prosecutorial Discretion for all those families that did not get Lourdes’s support and will spend this Christmas separated from their loved ones,” Carlos Zavala, advocate for the Washtenaw Interfaith Coalition of Immigrant Rights, said in a statement.
Comments
tinkerbell
Sat, Dec 17, 2011 : 5:17 a.m.
I can't believe the number of illegal aliens that were on felony probation and ICE had no interest in deporting them
genetracy
Sat, Dec 17, 2011 : 1:40 a.m.
Of course she needs to stick around the USA for another year. Obama needs her vote in November of 2012.
Usual Suspect
Sat, Dec 17, 2011 : 2:10 a.m.
That's why they're called, "Undocumented Democrats."
coffeedrinker
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 6:54 p.m.
All I can say is wow- what negativity. Home of the free and the brave, eh. Don't see (m)any comments from anyone who has gone through the immigration process themselves.
Usual Suspect
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 7:20 p.m.
So, that disqualifies us from having an opinion on whether our country's laws should be upheld or ignored?
Stephen Landes
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 4:22 p.m.
Where is the reporting? Why was the deportation delayed for a year? On what grounds?
aawolve
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 5:09 p.m.
"Where is the reporting?" You do realize you're on annarbor.com?
poohbah
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 3:32 p.m.
Fifteen years in this country and still needs a translator/interpreter? Oops -- I see she's appearing before the Ann Arbor City Council. I can understand her need! Who can understand what the Council says (and does)?
Rusnak
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 2:34 p.m.
"Bautista came to the U.S. from Mexico in 1997" ILLEGALLY! As someone else stated in the comments she is not an immigrant, she is a trespasser. I have no problem with someone coming to this country but, do it legally.
Usual Suspect
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 4:12 p.m.
Did you say dictionary definitions? "Trespass" or "trespassing:" Dictionary.com - wrongful entry upon the lands of another. Merrian-Webster - to make an unwarranted or uninvited incursion Dictionary.Cambridge.com: to go onto someone's land or enter their building without permission OxfordDictionaries.com: enter someone's land or property without permission
Ed Kimball
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 2:48 p.m.
My dictionary gives the following definition for "immigrant": A person who leaves one country to settle permanently in another. It doesn't say anything about legal or illegal. If the Native Americans had had tougher enforcement against immigration, few if any of the people posting on this site would be here today.
Usual Suspect
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 2:25 p.m.
I was happy to see Ann Arbor City Council not listed as being involved. However, I was not surprised to hear Levin and Dingell supported this lawlessness.
JSA
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 2:15 p.m.
I am missing something, why was she granted deferred action to begin with? She is not a legal resident and should be deported.
Ron Granger
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 2:09 p.m.
Hasn't her deportation already been delayed 15 years? Why did she get this apparently special treatment? Did she break no laws regarding identity or social security number fraud? If I get a parking ticket at a broken meter, it is apparently a big deal to government and they're willing to fight for the money. But somehow this isn't.
zax
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 1:56 p.m.
I'm waiting for someone to post that they know her and how nice she is. What a good and decent mother she is, because really, that doesn't make it right. We do have laws here. Why did she get the delay? Please, those of you on City Council, do not join up with making it all right to give illegal aliens special treatment.
Dave Willams
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 1:46 p.m.
"...No one else should have to go through what my family is going through." Correct. If you hadn't broken the law and come here illegally, your children wouldn't have to go through this. Please wake up people. The only persons to blame for any suffering the children must endure are the parents whom willingly broke the law and entered the country ILLEGALLY. We use it in the name every day "ILLEGAL immigrant" and yet people continue to overlook that fact. Promote legal immigration. I'm all for it myself. Let people come here and seek a legal way to improve their lives. But for the individuals that want to come here illegally and burden an already overburdened system and torment their children, whom are here legally once born here, with the thoughts that their parents could be removed to a country they've never known, I say stay there. Raise your children in your native lands until you can find legal access.
kulanova
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 1:40 p.m.
your "christian brethren" have broken unjust laws before: <a href="http://www.crmvet.org/riders/frvain.htm" rel='nofollow'>http://www.crmvet.org/riders/frvain.htm</a>
aawolve
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 6:24 p.m.
Well that makes more sense, but you should post your comment as a reply, so as not to seem as if you are addressing everyone. Have a lovely holiday yourself!
kulanova
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 5:43 p.m.
aawolve: see usual suspect comment @8:07am dec. 16, 2011 look at very bottom and have a lovely and ecumenical holidays!
aawolve
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 3:51 p.m.
Whose "Christian brethren?" What a presumptuous, prejudiced, and amusingly hypocritical statement to make.
Denise Heberle
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 2:53 p.m.
"Sistern," too. Consider whence you believe your truth and mercy to come.
Usual Suspect
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 2:18 p.m.
The people in the story you linked to were American citizens. That is, they were supposed to be protected by our laws, but the going practice was to withhold protection from them. Lourdes is not protected by our laws. She knowingly and willingly put put herself into a position where she lives in violation our laws. Actually, she obviously considers herself above the law. VERY different than what you linked to.
OLDTIMER3
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 1:39 p.m.
If it was ever in an article I missed it but where did the husband or her work and where ? did he pay taxes on any of his earnings? Or pay property taxes which pay for the schools. If not it is us who pay for the children they chose to have while in this country illegally.Send them back to Mexico.
grye
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 1:38 p.m.
If there is a process for her to become a legal alien or possibly apply for citizenship to allow her to stay in the United States, she needs to agressively pursue such opportunities. To continue to stay here as an illegal alien without any desire to comply with our immigration laws is essentially thumbing her nose at the system. I hope she pursues lawful resolutions to her immigration problem.
Denise Heberle
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 2:51 p.m.
Then vote for the few, puny laws that are out there that might to do just what you suggest, support the few candidates that push for them, and demand that others do. There is nothing sacrosanct about "the system." How can you possibly think that without completely ignoring the far more damaging illegalities perpetrated on our society by Goldman Sachs, AIG, Countrywide.... Can you honestly compare what this woman and others like her did to what "the system" allowed these true criminals to get away with? You are allowing yourself to be distracted by powers that don't want you to look at these other issues, but rather moan about giving hard-working, faithful families a chance to have a decent life.
Usual Suspect
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 1:07 p.m.
"Washtenaw Interfaith Coalition for Immigrant Rights, the Social Work Allies for Immigrant Rights, Alliance for Immigrants Rights - Michigan, Migrant Immigrant Rights Advocacy, Immigrant Rights on Campus" Immigrants Rights? This has nothing to do with immigrant rights. She's not an immigrant, she's a trespasser. "St. Francis of Assissi Catholic Church, St. Mary Student Parish Catholic Church." So, my Christian brethren are in favor of ignoring our laws now? This is disappointing.
Denise Heberle
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 2:46 p.m.
OK. I REALLY don't get most "Christians." Is your preeminent authority the U.S. government? Really?
Carole
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 1:01 p.m.
I guess I just don't get it. I'm all for helping anyone in need. However, if they immigrated to American in 1997, why then did they not take the necessary steps to become citizens of the US. Instead they made a choice to "break the law" and remain illegally. Just follow due process and make it all work accordingly. If US Citizens illegally entered Mexico, would they be so kind.
Carole
Sat, Dec 17, 2011 : 10 p.m.
To Denise -- how is it that you know this. Due process is what the law is about. In my opinion, you are just making excuses for the individuals who come here illegally.
Denise Heberle
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 2:44 p.m.
If only it were so easy. The U.S. immigration process is byzantine, unfair and nearly impossible to navigate. Shyster attorneys take advantage of people trying to do it legally. Coyotes prey on desperate people making all sorts of promises. Try to imagine yourself in this position before you judge so harshly.
kulanova
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 12:34 p.m.
Never ceases to amaze me the vitriol of annarbor.com commentators on this issue. Many folks seem to ignore the reality that "borders" that have become permeable (as a result of NAFTA) for capital (which has had a long list of consequences for mexican workers and farmers) but increasingly restrictive for those workers. I hope one day those of you speaking harshly toward Lourdes will realize that it is not Lourdes and working families like hers who are the enemy, but the companies that write rules/laws in their favor to maximize capital mobility and profits at the expense of *all* workers. Lourdes's struggle is the same struggle of workers who once had good paying jobs but now cannot find jobs that can adequately support their families. Bravo to Lourdes, her family and the community that supported them!
Denise Heberle
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 2:42 p.m.
FINALLY! A voice of compassion and sense. Thank you! I share your best wishes for this family.
Usual Suspect
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 1 p.m.
"Lourdes's struggle is the same struggle of workers who once had good paying jobs but now cannot find jobs that can adequately support their families." No, it's not. Her struggle is to be excused for breaking the law. That's nowhere near the same as somebody who struggles to find work who obeys the law.
Doug
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 12:31 p.m.
This women has been in this country since 1997 and needs a translator? Give me a break!
Doug
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 11:54 p.m.
Denise, digo el español completamente bien. Esto sólo me tomó 3 años para aprenderlo. Doug Denise, je parle le français aussi. Je l'ai étudié en France. Doug Denise, ich spreche auch German aber nicht sowie die anderen Sprachen. Doug
Usual Suspect
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 4:28 p.m.
Denice, every one of us speaks 100% of the languages that are currently necessary for the reading and comprehension of the legal documents of our city, county, state and country. And all the road signs. If I were to move to Germany, I would learn German. If I were to move to France, I would learn French. If I were to move to Freedonia, I would learn whatever language it is they speak there. And if I had advance plans to move to a different country, I would start learning their language before I went.
Denise Heberle
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 2:41 p.m.
and again, how many foreign languages do you speak?
Wolf's Bane
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 1:10 p.m.
Don't you know, it is so 'multicultural' that she cannot assimilate.
Jim
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 12:30 p.m.
No respect for the law. She should be deported, with the kids, who should not be US citizens.
local
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 12:08 p.m.
Wow, the precedent has now been sent in this area. I try to teach my kids that illegal means against the law and that there are consequences for those illegal acts. I guess that doesn't apply to immigration.
GabachodeMichigan
Fri, Dec 23, 2011 : 3:55 p.m.
Sheriff Joe Arpaio doesn't think all laws apply to him either. He is also currently experiencing some consequences, although perhaps not the ones you would like. I love the "enforce all the laws" argument - I am sure all of its proponents promptly turn themselves in whenever they exceed the speed limit or "slightly overstate" the number of charitable contributions on their tax returns. Personally, I am a proponent of the punishment fitting the crime. There are some undocumented folks who I have no problem kicking out of the country but that has more to do with their behavior while here rather than the particular manner in which they arrived. Kicking out "Jose Sixpack" because he came in 20 years ago without permission or as a two year old with his parents is overkill and not proportionate to the crime. We are talking about my friends and neighbors who are good people. They deserve a break. There are lots of criminals that I would like to kick out but, because they are US citizens, we can't find any other country to take our problem children. I hear Australia has a lot of space - oops, the Brits already tried that one. :->
MrBeasley
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 11:35 a.m.
I would like to point out that the three children mentioned in this article can all read. My son is in school with her son, this must be incredibly difficult on her children. I hope that people will keep these children in mind when posting their comments.
thecompound
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 4:46 p.m.
What is vile, is that a so-called professional is lashing out with insults (against aa.com moderation guidelines, btw) because others don't share her opinion.
Usual Suspect
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 2:12 p.m.
Why should WE think of her children? SHE didn't think of her children when she gave birth to them while she was a trespasser in a foreign country and knowingly subject to deportation. Some personal responsibility here would be nice. How about going back to Mexico as a lesson to her children about doing the right thing? Model the behavior you want to teach.
Courtney
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 1:28 p.m.
Mr.Beasley: Isn't she the one who *used* her three children, by parading them in front of A2 City Council, and the press? No one is talking badly about her children in this comments section, from what I have read.
Homeland Conspiracy
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 1:21 p.m.
Here we go with "Think of the children" again!!!
mg0blue
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 12:30 p.m.
Why? It's apparent that she didn't have her children in mind when she failed to apply for citizenship. If she gets separated from her children it's nobody's fault but her own and her lack of trying to establish herself legally in this country until she got caught! I do feel bad for her children, but you need to realize that you would not be asking people for compassion for her children if she was convicted of a crime and was being sent off to jail. Oh wait, she DID commit a crime.
pawky
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 10:02 a.m.
Let me get this straight. She has been living in the U.S for 15 years and had to bring an interpreter? Really?? I couldn't imagine my living in Mexico for 15 years and still not speaking Spanish. Give me a break.
GabachodeMichigan
Fri, Dec 23, 2011 : 3:44 p.m.
I can't imagine you living in Mexico either. FWIW, Ms. Salazar Bautista probably speaks English on an every day level just fine. However, if I am going to court in a language of which I am not a native speaker, you can be sure I will have an interpreter to make sure I understand everything.
Brad
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 6:33 p.m.
I learned the foreign language of every country that I have entered and resided in illegally.
Denise Heberle
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 2:35 p.m.
How many foreign languages do you speak?
Brad
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 12:23 p.m.
Monolingual speakers often require translators in court, too. They're called "lawyers".
sh1
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 11:30 a.m.
Bilingual speakers often have translators at court hearings for the legal mumbo-jumbo. Lourdes and her whole family speak English.
sbbuilder
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 5:18 a.m.
"Deferred Action" Isn't that sort of an oxymoron? Sort of like saying "We are gutless, spineless defenders of our nations' laws who will bend and sway in every breeze, so, not knowing what else to do, we will just sit on our hands."
northside
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 8:04 p.m.
Speaking of gutless and spineless, once again conservatives have approached this topic by attacking the most vulnerable people involved, the woman and her kids. Nothing has been said about the businesses that hired her. Doing so would involve actual risk on the part of conservatives - going after people with power.
Denise Heberle
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 2:34 p.m.
I hope that this time will be filled with pressure on the government to reform our spectacular failure or an immigration system. Many intend it to be so.
Joe_Citizen
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 4:55 a.m.
Without borders we would have no wars. I'm not a fan on the new world order, but if if life was perfect??... If our laws are not held then we have anarchy, one then another keeps getting bent, soon they will start braking, and when this happens it's like a domino effect and "pop goes the Wiesel", so of we let her stay then we have to let all of them stay. It's not fare she gets all the public outcry when there are so many more out there. I say, let them stay. There should be a law that handle prenatal divided citizenship. On the other hand, both parents both new the what the future looked like when they mess.
thecompound
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 4:43 p.m.
When all else fails, criticize grammar. Classic.
Denise Heberle
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 2:33 p.m.
Good thing the ability to spell ordinary English words isn't a requirement of citizenship, as another commenter noted the ability to speak a foreign language should be.
Usual Suspect
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 2:09 p.m.
What's funny about this is I bet Joe locks his doors at night to make sure nobody crosses his borders.
pest
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 12:47 p.m.
@Joe... You've never heard of "civil wars"? Several of which of occurring at this exact moment in time.
cinnabar7071
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 12:30 p.m.
"Without borders we would have no wars." Really Joe? Open your eyes man!
Lola
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 3:26 a.m.
I still do not understand why she'd rather have her children here without their father than in Mexico with both parents. She's the one breaking up her family, not ICE. She should want to go back to Mexico where the whole family can be reunited.
Denise Heberle
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 2:30 p.m.
You have no idea what choices this family has had to make. Educate yourself about our racist, inconsistent, brutal immigration policies before you comment.
sh1
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 11:29 a.m.
The history of immigration in our country has been one of splitting up families. Often, the whole family cannot afford to come to the US at once. Also, many families made it to Ellis Island together but some were not allowed in. Immigrant families trying to make a better life for their children have always faced difficult choices.
GirlNextDoor
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 3:29 a.m.
Exactly the way I see it, too.
GirlNextDoor
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 2:53 a.m.
"... Lourdes has been granted deferred action and she will get to spend a wonderful Christmas with her family ... " Her three children will continue to be without their father; he was deported in 2010. How can Christmas be wonderful without their father? IMHO, how sad for those kids to be without their dad...how empty his life must be without his family.
northside
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 8:09 p.m.
GND if you want to do something for the children stop referring to them by the derogatory 'anchor babies' term. Kids don't choose the situation they're born in and it's a hateful thing to apply such a label to a 7-year-old.
GirlNextDoor
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 2:54 p.m.
@Denise: Of course, I know nothing about Lourdes' life, other than she has had 14 years to legalize her status, and so did her husband. He has been deported, and she should want to go back to her homeland, and keep her family intact. She came here, had her anchor babies, and now expects she can continue to break the law. As for your personal attack, that I receive the same type of scrutiny one day, sorry that won't happen. I am a law-abiding citizen, and I have successfully raised three children of my own.
Denise Heberle
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 2:28 p.m.
You know nothing about this woman's life, yet you feel free to judge. Good for you. May you be subject to this scrutiny someday soon.
GirlNextDoor
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 3:11 a.m.
Greggy, I agree with you. She should be deported; her and her spouse did not follow the legalization process. I am shocked that she was granted the deferral.
Greggy_D
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 3:07 a.m.
Too bad, so sad. Go celebrate Christmas in Mexico then.
Wolf's Bane
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 2:51 a.m.
Compassion for some, ICE for others? How totally unfair.
thecompound
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 4:41 p.m.
Years of terror....please. It was of her own making. How you can deny that is beyond me.
Mike
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 2:45 p.m.
Fair would be deportation, fair would not be imprisonment like in China or Iran for the same offense. Give me a break......
Denise Heberle
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 2:27 p.m.
You are correct. Their should be compassion and love and a sensible immigration policy for all - not years of terror.
thecompound
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 2:32 a.m.
Wow. Where to even start with Bautista's "statement". What a victim (sarcasm)
thecompound
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 4:39 p.m.
I don't know what it's like to be in her shoes. But i do know if I just got away with breaking the law for 15 years, I wouldn't be so condescending and thumb my nose at the law.
Usual Suspect
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 4:02 p.m.
You are correct, Denise, and that's because I have never knowingly and willingly broken another country's laws concerning illegal presence within their borders. Apparently in your mind that means I don't have any ground to stand on as far giving opinion on violations of my own country's laws.
Denise Heberle
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 2:26 p.m.
Don't. Don't start. You have no idea what it means to be in her shoes.
Usual Suspect
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 1:08 p.m.
Agree. She's not a victim, she a perpetrator.
Arborcomment
Fri, Dec 16, 2011 : 2:52 a.m.
As a start, she wouldn't have had to "go through" anything if she and her husband had not jumped the fence, and line, to get in illegally.