To: Christopher Coxe, John Sandweg, Nathan Berkley, Andrew Strait, Melissa Jaramillo, Cecilia Munoz, Suzanne Barr, and Michael Reid
ICE, Don't Deport Patricia - Keep Allison and Daniel's Mom Home!
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I am writing to urge you to stop the deportation of Patricia Pena Martinez (A# 088-79-5260) who is set to be deported on November 30th, 2013. Patricia is the mother of 9 children, 8 of which are U.S. citizens. Her youngest daughter, 4 year old Allison, suffers from epileptic seizures and needs to be under the care of her mother. Without her mother, Allison risks severe emotional, financial, and physical deprivation. According to the Morton Memo, Patricia is a low priority case and her deportation should be stopped immediately.
Why is this important?
On January 13, 2012, Patricia was on her way home from work when she stopped at a gas station to service her tank. As soon as Patricia drove off, a police officer parked in the same gas station followed her and pulled her over. When asked for her driver's license, she was arrested because she does not have one. Once at the police station in Mecklenburg County, Patricia was placed on an ICE hold. After her state bond was paid, she was told she was charged with re-entry into the US. She was detained for six months and put on probation for a year. Upon release, Patricia checked in to the Charlotte immigration office where she was released under supervision.
During Patricia's time detained, her children suffered. Her oldest daughters were forced to step up and take care of their siblings. Her youngest children, including Daniel, living in fear that his mother would be deported, developed depression, tried to hurt himself and exhibited suicidal ideation. A letter from Daniel's juvenile court counselor states the following: "Daniel has made it very clear to both myself and others involved in his care that his family is of critical importance to him. He has a history of being a caregiver to his younger siblings so that his mother could work to support the family.. it is in my opinion that his mother's involvement in his life plays a vital role in his behaviors and his emotional well being. I believe, based upon my experience with Daniel and his mother, that if Patricia were to be deported, his recent stability would be seriously jeapordized."
Patricia first came to the United States from Mexico in 1987 looking for work and a better life. Since then, she has worked hard as the head of household for her family and contributed her labor in NC's tobacco fields, asbestos clean-up, and as a restaurant worker. In February 2009, Patricia returned to Mexico but upon learning of her daughter Allison's condition after an epileptic seizure she had, Patricia decided to come back to the United States so she could get the medical care and treatment she needed. Allison is due for x-rays and scans periodically, she takes medication, and her condition is monitored by doctors in Winston Salem. To deport Patricia would be to put Allison in danger as she cannot get the same care and treatment she receives here in Mexico.
According to the memo issued by John Morton, Patricia is a low priority case and should be granted favorable exercise of prosecutorial discretion. I urge you to take action and immediately stop the deportation of Patricia Pena Martinez (A# 088-79-5260).
During Patricia's time detained, her children suffered. Her oldest daughters were forced to step up and take care of their siblings. Her youngest children, including Daniel, living in fear that his mother would be deported, developed depression, tried to hurt himself and exhibited suicidal ideation. A letter from Daniel's juvenile court counselor states the following: "Daniel has made it very clear to both myself and others involved in his care that his family is of critical importance to him. He has a history of being a caregiver to his younger siblings so that his mother could work to support the family.. it is in my opinion that his mother's involvement in his life plays a vital role in his behaviors and his emotional well being. I believe, based upon my experience with Daniel and his mother, that if Patricia were to be deported, his recent stability would be seriously jeapordized."
Patricia first came to the United States from Mexico in 1987 looking for work and a better life. Since then, she has worked hard as the head of household for her family and contributed her labor in NC's tobacco fields, asbestos clean-up, and as a restaurant worker. In February 2009, Patricia returned to Mexico but upon learning of her daughter Allison's condition after an epileptic seizure she had, Patricia decided to come back to the United States so she could get the medical care and treatment she needed. Allison is due for x-rays and scans periodically, she takes medication, and her condition is monitored by doctors in Winston Salem. To deport Patricia would be to put Allison in danger as she cannot get the same care and treatment she receives here in Mexico.
According to the memo issued by John Morton, Patricia is a low priority case and should be granted favorable exercise of prosecutorial discretion. I urge you to take action and immediately stop the deportation of Patricia Pena Martinez (A# 088-79-5260).