Community groups call on Representative Cuellar to defend Griselda, victim of domestic violence, from imminent deportation

Advocates say Griselda’s deportation sets a dangerous precedent for silencing and disappearing victims of violence

WHAT: Press Conference

WHO: Grassroots Leadership, Laredo Immigrant Alliance, MOVE Texas, Webb County Young Democrats, Webb County LULAC

WHEN: Friday, March 29; 11AM CT

WHERE: Laredo Detention Center, 4702 E Saunders St, Laredo, TX 78041

LAREDO, Tex. — Friday morning, community members will hold a press conference calling on Representative Cuellar to intervene with ICE to release Griselda Cruz-Lopez and stop her deportation.

Griselda is a victim of domestic violence and retaliation detained at the Laredo Processing Center who now faces imminent threat of deportation and separation from her 6-year-old U.S. citizen daughter Samantha. Last week, the Chicago Police Department issued a U Visa certification on her case, the first step towards receiving legal status to remain in the country as a victim of violence. However, Tuesday her asylum appeal was denied, placing her at immediate risk of deportation.

Community members will express their alarm that ICE could deport Griselda in an attempt to silence her and evade legal liability for denying her the adequate medical care she needs for a head injury sustained over a year ago inside the Laredo Processing Center. Community will also call on Webb County Commissioners to intervene as they hold oversight and legal responsibility due to their Intergovernmental Service Agreement (IGSA) with ICE and CoreCivic for the operation of the detention center.  If deported, Griselda faces death threats in El Salvador under medical duress.

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Grassroots Leadership is an Austin, Texas-based national organization that works for a more just society where prison profiteering, mass incarceration, deportation, and criminalization are things of the past. Follow us @Grassroots_News.