A Louisiana Parish Jailed a U.S. Citizen for Being Latinx

[IronLionZion]

https://www.aclu.org/blog/racial-justice/race-and-criminal-justice/louisiana-parish-jailed-us-citizen-being-latinx-were



Ramon Torres had been a U.S. citizen for nearly ten years when he was detained for four days on an immigration hold – despite having a U.S. passport, a Louisiana driver’s license, and a Social Security card, and despite that fact that a court ordered his release.

Torres’ ordeal began in August 2018, when he was pulled over and arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. Torres, a naturalized U.S. citizen since 2009, was carrying multiple forms of identification, including his driver’s license and other security credentials. Torres was booked at the Ascension Parish Jail, and the next day the Parish Court ordered his release.

But Torres wasn’t released. Instead, the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office placed an “immigration hold” on Torres on the suspicion that he was unlawfully present in the United States.

The basis for this suspicion? He had a Latinx name and brown skin. Staff at the sheriff’s office explained that they had a policy of detaining all Latinx people for immigration review.

When his friends and family tried to intervene and provide additional documentation proving that Torres is a U.S. citizen, officials in the sheriff’s office still didn’t budge.

Torres spent four days in jail before a lawyer’s involvement finally secured his release.

Bet they don't detain immigrants with names like "Melania Knavs" or "Donald Drumpf". My whole life people have told me it doesn't matter that I was born here, Americans are white.

Many Black Americans would be familiar with this scenario with police. Detaining US citizens by race is kind of like detaining US citizens for being Jewish or LGBT or whatever. When they come for you, there will be no one left to say "It can't happen here" and "Godwin's Law".

[Demovictory9]

1. kick

[Cracklin Charlie]

2. I know three American families with that last name.

All of them born in this country for generations, that I know of.

Where would this policy end? With all of us detained, I guess.

p.s. May I ask a question? Could you explain the Latinx designation? Is it just a way to include everyone? Why the ‘x’?

Sorry, that was a bunch of questions. I just don’t like to use these designations incorrectly. Thanks.

[IronLionZion]

3. Latinx means Latino or Latina, it's gender neutral to cover everyone

[Cracklin Charlie]

4. Thanks so much.

I thought that was it.

Peace.

[panader0]

17. That's weird. All Spanish words have a gender:

I'll bet this Latinx thing was thought up by Gringos.

[IronLionZion]

18. It's only used in the US. Started by people who don't want to specify gender

And feminist Latinas who didn't feel included in the word Latinos.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latinx

Latin-American would have worked just fine in this case also.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

5. Lawless Sheriff needs to be fired or recalled and should be charged with abuse of power AND

... and Contempt of Court.

... every time he puts a non-white on "immigration hold".

[uponit7771]

11. ...then sued

[TeamPooka]

6. Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office is filled with racists and corruption.

[dixiegrrrrl]

14. Problem is, that is not the only southern jail ICE can depend on.

Lots of southern sheriffs are happy to do the same thing.

ain't right, but it is a fact of life.

[TeamPooka]

15. yes it is

[struggle4progress]

7. Lawsuit: Ascension sheriff's deputies improperly held US citizen

BY DAVID J. MITCHELL
STAFF WRITER
AUG 21, 2019 - 2:29 PM

... The American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana said in a lawsuit filed Wednesday that Ramon Torres was the victim of a sheriff's department policy that targets Hispanics. The group claims deputies held Torres without cause, in violation of his rights under the U.S. Constitution ...

https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/article_0cafc458-c44a-11e9-a4cb-73896ea28831.html

"Sue the shizzwits!" is a fun-filled idea we all can get behind!

[uponit7771]

12. NICE !!!

[Bernardo de La Paz]

13. +1 for bringing us the next chapter of the story. . . . nt

[dixiegrrrrl]

19. The ACLU has been a vital help for the Lantinx population

these past few years. We owe them a debt of gratitude.

[dlk]

8. Wrongful Imprisonment-There's Likely an Attorney Who Would Be Interested

Perhaps having to pay hefty settlements for wrongful imprisonment would slow them down a bit.

[Mr. Evil]

9. This is in a town by the name of (of all things) Gonzales. Go figure.

I lived in Baton Rouge for many years and Gonzales is about 15 miles SE of Baton Rouge. I spent a lot of time doing work there and in surrounding communities. It really is a different kind of place. You have to know everybody's business or you're not worth talking to. It's sort of like a Cajun Peyton Place.

[Volaris]

10. AGAINST the order of a judge who damn well knew better smdh.

Somebody needs to sue the everlasting shit out of that department.

[Coventina]

16. Sounds like that sheriff's office needs to be sued, bigly.