Names are not used to protect the privacy of those involved.
- Three months ago the Director of Foster Care contacted our Executive Director, Ismari, for a case they were working on. They needed someone that could help mentor a Hispanic child. The case was a 17 year old female who had a baby with heart problems. The parent of the woman had left her at the hospital to give birth alone, afraid of being deported when questions arise of their status. The doctors found out about her situation when they tried to communicate with her. They were trying to tell her that the baby needed to stay at the hospital for some time and that she would need to learn of special care that would be needed after the baby left the hospital. Since then, the Association has shown support and a volunteer member, Parris, is following this case.
- Three weeks ago a lady contacted Jerrika Rivera on a lawsuit she received two years ago and still has not been resolved yet. She feels that she is being taken advantage of due to her deficiency in the English language. By law, the court system is required to provide a certified Interpreter, in order to ensure a fair trial. In her particular situation they are not abiding by this law. The Association expressed empathy and told her that it was very important for her to write down everything that happened so that her attorney can do his/her job correctly. We offered to translate it for her at no cost. However, she feels that even if she expresses everything on paper and presents it when she goes to court, the justice system will keep requiring her to bring an interpreter. This means she could have to pay up to $100 an hour for a certified interpreter. This case is still pending. This is a good example of how the Hispanic community needs to consider very seriously the qualifications of any person who will be interpreting for them. Member Rivera is the link on this case.
- Last week a Lady called our 1-800 number who was referred to us by one of our volunteers in the community. The woman has contacted several people in the community for help and no one has yet offered any guidance in her situation. On approximately December 6, 2007 The I.C.E. (Immigration and Custom Enforcement) Department, other wise known as LA MIGRA (Spanish) took her father. Now, we believe the people that took him are not from the I.C.E. Dept. because there is no actual paperwork that says they work for that Department. The father, after he was taken, got an opportunity to call his daughter and gave instruction for her to pick up his belongings from where he was when they first took him away. He told her that he is somewhere else and there are many of them where he is at. The Lady was informed, after they denied that the father was there before and she proved that yes he was, there were no personal items from him and they threw them away. The treatment there is bad and under his medical condition he doesn’t know how much more his body will be able to resist. The Lady went on to say that many times her father is not allowed to use the phone even though he offers to pay for the expense. They are not giving the location of where they are, so she cannot send money, medication, or any of his basic needs. She is worried that her father will die under these circumstances. If they are going to deport him to his country, she wants them to do it now and not hold him up in jail for long time. This situation is happening all over the United States and it’s just one of many that is falling into the cracks of the due process. Jerrika Rivera immediately referred the Lady to TIRRC and Latino newspaper General Manager and gave her support that we will be in contact with her from now on. Member Jordan is the link on this case.
Asociacion Latina 
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