To: Enrique Lucero, ICE Field Office Director, Norma E. Lacy, Assistant Field Office Director, and ICE San Antonio
Stop The Deportation of LGBTQ Activist Sulma!
Sulma is a bright, hardworking, and driven woman from Guatemala. Active in the LGBTQ rights movement in Guatemala, she was forced to flee because her life was in danger.
On Thursday, June 11, 2015 , Sulma not only faces removal but also an imminent death sentence. The state government of Guatemala has been responsible for extrajudicial killings of LGBT activist and individuals.
On Thursday, June 11, 2015 , Sulma not only faces removal but also an imminent death sentence. The state government of Guatemala has been responsible for extrajudicial killings of LGBT activist and individuals.
Why is this important?
Sulma did everything she was supposed to (and more!) when she arrived in Austin, Texas six years ago. She began the process of applying for asylum, learned English and applied for work authorization. Years later, she opened up her own food truck business with her partner and applied for all the necessary permits. They had just paid 2 months rent on a space to park the truck when Sulma went in for a routine ICE appointment, something she had been doing every 3 months for years.
But this time, rather than signing her name and leaving, ICE told her that her lawyer had not filed some paperwork correctly. With her car still parked outside, and her partner and business waiting for her, she was taken into ICE custody and eventually transferred to Eloy Detention Center in Arizona.
Thanks to the community, she was released back to her family in Austin, Texas--- but the nightmare is not over as ICE wants to remove her this Thursday!
But this time, rather than signing her name and leaving, ICE told her that her lawyer had not filed some paperwork correctly. With her car still parked outside, and her partner and business waiting for her, she was taken into ICE custody and eventually transferred to Eloy Detention Center in Arizona.
Thanks to the community, she was released back to her family in Austin, Texas--- but the nightmare is not over as ICE wants to remove her this Thursday!