Re: Tucson Mom Detained! Help Keep Her Family Together!

This is an update about Dario and Danilo's mother, a member of the Tucson community who was detained yesterday afternoon. The community rushed to make calls to Border Patrol on her behalf and spread the word, and many thanks to everyone who made calls!

The latest news is that she has been moved to Eloy detention center, which means calls to Border Patrol are no longer needed. 

However, that does not mean she is free. She could be in detention for a while, who knows. But community support could demonstrate to the immigration judge assigned to her case that she is a solid member of the Tucson community, which may merit her release!

One way we demonstrate community support is by writing letters, and a letter campaign for Maria is forming as we speak. If you would consider writing a letter of support, I can make sure it makes it into the right hands! Just email me your letter to kathryn@borderlinks.org. Thank you for your time and support of Tucson families!

Here's my example that I tailored from from my BorderLinks co-worker Alex, and please feel free to tailor yours as you like.



-->

December 20, 2013

Dear Esteemed Judge,

My name is Kathryn Schmidt and I am a citizen of the United States. I am writing on behalf of Maria Jesus Mendoza Velasquez, who is currently detained in Eloy Detention Center In Eloy, Arizona. I am doing a year of Young Adult Volunteer service in Tucson through the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Maria is an exemplary mother and has been a hard-working member of the Tucson community for over 10 years. Maria has two US citizen siblings and two sons that received their DACA work permits and currently attend Pima Community College in Tucson. I have gotten to know her sons, Dario and Danilo, through the organization with which I am serving as a Young Adult Volunteer, BorderLinks. They are both hard-working, responsible, and smart young men who use their time outside of studying to work with other youth and DACA recipients. Both are extraordinary students and community members that need their mother.

I know that Maria was pulled over for smoke coming out of her car and as a result, the Boarder Patrol was called. Maria has never before committed a crime. She works hard to support her family so that her two sons can go to Pima Community College. Her family depends on her. They love her a lot and if something happens to her, they would be devastated. Maria deserves to be released from Eloy Detention Center and to stay with her family.

Many thanks for your time and consideration of her case for discretion and urgent release to be reunited with her family and community.

Peace,

Kathryn Schmidt