Press Release

Gutierrez Meeting with ICE Yields Progress for Mother Facing Deportation
Broken immigration system should not cause suffering for U.S. citizen husband and children

October 20, 2008

Media Contact: Rebecca Dreilinger (202) 225-8203
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Chicago, IL) Today, U.S. Congressman Luis V. Gutierrez (D-IL) took decisive action against a badly broken immigration system by entering the Chicago offices of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and personally appealing the case of Ms. Francisca Lino—the wife of a U.S. citizen and mother of three U.S. citizen children, who faced deportation on Tuesday, October 21.

"I had a very positive meeting with Glen Triveline, Acting Field Director at ICE," said Rep. Gutierrez. "He agreed to take two to four weeks to consider granting Ms. Lino a stay of removal, and he assured me that during such time she will not be deported."

Gutierrez was also joined by State Senator Iris Martinez, State Representative Cynthia Soto, Alderman Manuel Flores, Alderman Billy Ocasio and Alderman Danny Solis.

In January of 2005, Lino was scheduled for a green card interview, but was arrested and handcuffed on site. Witnessing this, Lino's husband suffered an immediate stroke, and he has suffered from severe anxiety since. Additionally, their youngest children, 6-year-old twins, cope with developmental problems caused by premature birth, and Lino is the primary caretaker for her Mother-in-Law, who endures treatment in chemotherapy five days a week. Lino is an essential financial provider for her family, which will almost certainly default on their mortgage in her absence.

"Ms. Lino's family fundamentally depends on her, and neither they nor any other family should suffer because of our government's profound failure to pass a law that respects basic family values," said Rep. Gutierrez. "Even my colleagues on the other side of the aisle must understand that, in the midst of a financial crisis, we simply cannot afford to create situations that are doomed to strain our economy. How many times must we demonstrate our immediate need for an immigration system that ensures our security — border security, economic security and family security?"

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