After 2 months in detention, a Lynn immigrant is free

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While the numbers of arrests and deportations have increased since Trump’s presidency, there have been relatively less widespread ICE sweeps in Lynn, Massachusetts.  However, Edgar “Lupe” Mendoza, a 43 year old El Salvadorian who has been in the US for over 20 years, was arrested by ICE while taking his son, Zahir, to a doctors appointment alongside his girlfriend and mother of his child Cindy Magana. According to the article, his work permit was expired, which is why he was held into custody,  and why he was later detained for 2 months in the Plymouth County Correctional Facility. Magana admitted that her partner came to the Massachusetts illegally, while “his sister was waiting for him.”

I chose this article because I like how instead of deporting Mendoza back to his native El Salvador, “Judge Jose A. Sanchez rejected” this Justice Department-made request and instead “granted his request for permanent resident status.” His green card is set to arrive soon, making him eligible to get back to work over the next few weeks. 

While ICE refused to comment on this for “privacy reasons,” Mendoza’s boss (who chose to remain anonymous), who made a recommendation for Mendoza’s request for a green card, spoke to the article’s author about how Mendoza is “one of there best workers..'He’s great and has become a friend. He’s a fast learner, shows up on time, is polite, and is always available when I need him. I count on him because he’s skilled and he’s great with our customers who are typically owners of single- and multi-family homes.'”

Opinion: This is the second time I have wrote about a father being taken away from his partner and child by ICE in the middle of a normal day.  It is crazy knowing that this continues to happen, and that several families are being torn away from each other because of this. The article says that green cards allow "immigrants to live and work in the U.S. as long as they do not commit any crime that would make them removable under immigration law." Like Mendoza, several immigrants are not criminals but in fact skilled, hardworking people.  This story is unlike most immigration stories I have recently read because it gave me hope-- instead of getting deported, Mendoza was actually able to obtain a green card.  Mendoza said that he is so grateful that he no longer has to fear losing his family, "the most important part of my life," and how he can "provide better for them."  Hopefully more people, particularly those against immigration, will start to see how most people migrate here not to be criminals but to establish better lives for themselves and their loved ones.

Read more: https://www.itemlive.com/2018/03/18/judge-takes-lynners-side-vs-immigration/

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