New Mexico Residents Demand Resignation of Deputy Sheriff

Following abusive immigration raids in Chaparral, New Mexico, where local sheriffs deputies took part, residents are demanding resignations:

Press Contact:
Border Network for Human Rights: Fernando Garcia (915) 577-0724
                                                                                    (915) 204-0337

Hundreds of Otero County Residents Signed a Petition Demanding the Resignation of Lead Deputy Sheriff in Chaparral, NM/Otero County

At the Press Conference this Wednesday, BNHR will present a Report with a Dozen Testimonies of Civil Rights Violations and Immigration Enforcement by Sheriff Deputies.

March 31, 2008. Chaparral/Otero County, New Mexico. After last year’s immigration raids in Chaparral, NM, BNHR presented a lawsuit against the Otero County Sheriff Office with the primary purpose of stopping the aggression against community members and to further prevent the separation of immigrant families.

However, after such action and against all expectations, the Border Network for Human Rights still continued to receive reports and complaints, detailing the immigration enforcement activities of the Otero County Deputies. US citizens and residents were questioned alike; people were detained and arrested due to suspicion of their immigration status, people during routine traffic violations ended up in deportation proceedings, and even house visits by sheriff deputies evolved into full-blown immigration operations. Residents were illegally detained and “held” while they waited for immigration agents to show up and even children were victims because they had to be picked up by relatives all the while their parents were being deported.

Therefore, last week BNHR and Chaparral residents launch a petition drive to demand the end of these aggressive practices and to ask for the resignation of the lead sheriff deputy in Chaparral, NM/ Otero County. The result of the Petition Drive and the hundreds of signature from Chaparral Otero will be presented in the following press conference:

Press Conference to Present Petition
Wednesday, April 2nd at 10:30 AM
St. Thomas Moore Catholic Church Saint Agustin Hall                                    
568 Lisa Street,
Chaparral New Mexico

From: Border Network for Human Rights
1101 E. Yandell Dr., El Paso Texas 79902   Phone (915) 577-0724    Fax (915) 577-0370
http://www.bnhr.org

bh