EL PASO, Texas – Familias de inmigrantes y sus simpatizantes se manifestaron este martes en El Paso para llamar la atención hacia lo que describen como una “combinación fatal”: las prácticas de deportación estadounidenses y la violencia relacionada con los cárteles Mexicanos. Yanet Márquez, de 24 años y residente de El Paso, habló durante la manifestación. Narró que el mes pasado su esposo fue muerto durante una balacera entre pandilleros. Había sido detenido en octubre por un patrullero estatal, quien después de un interrogatorio rutinario lo regresó a la frontera por no tener documentos. Pero Márquez ya llevaba 13 años en el país y deja dos hijas ciudadanas americanas, por lo que Yanet considera que su familia es americana.

"Quiero darle una vida mejor a mis hijas. Y quería ir a la universidad, tener una carrera. Ahora no - no tengo recuerdos. Nada."

Dice que nunca pudo despedirse de su esposo y que cuando lo asesinaron estaba tratando de regresar a casa. Culpa de su muerte al “gobierno mexicano corrupto” y teme que las autoridades americanas la deporten a ella en cualquier momento. Está solicitando asilo bajo la primicia de que los oficiales mexicanos no la protegerían, y ahora menos que antes por estar haciendo estas denuncias.

El paseño Carlos Spector, abogado de Yanet Márquez, dice que se está dando un aumento en la separación de familias, a pesar del anuncio por parte de la administración del presidente Obama a principios de año, en el sentido de que se iban a reacomodar las prioridades en cuanto a deportaciones. La nueva política del Departamento de Justicia se enfoca en sacar a criminales peligrosos en lugar de familias pacíficas y a estudiantes. Spector dice que algunos oficiales de la policía local se han tardado en recibir el memorándum.

"Y se necesita que sucedan incidentes como este para que la comunidad salga y presione a las instituciones del orden para que implementen la política de la orden ejecutiva del Presidente, tal y como fue concebida."

Los críticos califican la nueva política de deportación como “amnistía administrativa.” Pero Spector asegura que, el circuito de las cortes, de fondos limitados, está tan abrumado con los retrasos de inmigración, que las nuevas prioridades eran inevitables. Agregó que algunos de los oficiales que se oponen a esta política han tomado el asunto en sus propias manos y acortan el proceso administrativo simplemente llevando a los residentes indocumentados directamente a la frontera.


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Advocates for immigrants are pushing back on a bill signed by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds in the last few days of the legislative session, modeled on a recent, controversial Texas law.

Senate File 2340 gives local law enforcement officers and judges the authority to deport undocumented immigrants.

Erica Johnson, executive director of the Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice, argued the bill is an overreach, and said Iowa law enforcement officers are not authorized to enforce it.

"This is a pretty clear intervention into federal territory," Johnson pointed out. "U.S. immigration law is governed by federal law."

Much like the author of the Texas bill, supporters in Iowa blame the Biden administration for failing to slow illegal immigration, so the state has decided to take matters into its own hands.

Johnson contended the bill and other anti-immigrant sentiment during the just-completed legislative session target the very people Iowa, with its dwindling population, will depend on for its future workforce.

"What we need is communities that are safe, where workers have access to dignified, safe workplaces," Johnson emphasized. "The truth of what Iowa's future could be depends on immigrants and immigrant workers in our state, and unfortunately, this law could take us back, away from that possible future. "

Johnson added her organization will pursue legal ways to block the bill from taking effect in July.


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The future of Senate Bill 4 is still tangled in court challenges. It's the Texas law that would allow police to arrest people for illegally crossing the border. But groups are speaking out about the impact of "Operation Lone Star" on the youngest migrants. Governor Greg Abbott continues to bus migrant families to other states, many with young children - more than 100,000 families so far.

Robert Sanborn, CEO of Children at Risk, works to improve the quality of life for boys and girls in Texas, and contends the policy has put trauma on top of trauma.

"We never want children to be political pawns. We don't want maximum chaos on the backs of children. We want children to grow up and be assets for our community," he contended.

Sanborn points out that 2.2 million children in Texas are immigrants, and said it would be less stressful for kids if families were not bused in the middle of the night, and if they were allowed to pick their destination.

When immigrants arrive at the border, they are evaluated to determine if they're eligible for asylum.

Beatriz Zavala, clinical coordinator at El Paso-based Humanitarian Outreach for Migrant Emotional Health, or "HOME," said the children in this situation are at higher risk for mental health disorders.

"What is particularly troubling is the profound disregard for the stability and protection these families need. The impact on their mental health is undeniable. These are not just statistics. These are children, real children," she said.

As part of Operation Lone Star, families have been bused to Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. The governor has said the practice is needed to keep the Texas-Mexico border safe.


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Legislation in Albany would create the first right to counsel for people in immigration court.

The Access to Representation Act would provide immigrants the right to an attorney in their New York immigration cases, ending the tendency to represent themselves if they cannot afford one.

Estimates show a backlog of more than 330,000 immigration court cases, and fewer than half have attorneys. Studies show without legal counsel, migrants are less likely to remain in the U.S.

Marlene Galaz, director of immigrant rights policy for the New York Immigration Coalition, described what the bill would do.

"It has a six-year ramp-up to start implementing and building infrastructure," Galaz outlined. "Having a pipeline between law schools for law students to go into immigration practice, and getting to nonprofits and so on."

Galaz noted most opposition centers around the $150 million to fund the program but pointed out the total expenditure is less than 1% of the state's $229 billion budget. She added anti-immigrant rhetoric has also damaged support for the bill. Currently, it is in the state Senate Finance Committee.

The New York City Comptroller's office said enacting the bill would benefit the state financially. It could keep about 53,000 people from being deported, which would result in almost $8.5 billion in local, state and federal taxes over the next 30 years.

Galaz emphasized the influx of migrants has saturated the court system, leading to what could have been an avoidable backlog.

"I firmly believe that if these investments had been made when we first asked for them, I believe, like, three years ago, then we wouldn't be struggling," Galaz contended. "We would have had the infrastructure built to address an increase in welcoming our newest neighbors."

A Vera Institute survey showed 93% of New Yorkers across party lines and regions support access to attorneys for all people, including those in immigration court, and government-funded attorneys for them.


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