A 10-Year-Old May Be Deported Because His Mom Was Scared To Tell U.S. Officials He’s Gay

[Judi Lynn]

A 10-Year-Old May Be Deported Because His Mom Was Scared To Tell U.S. Officials He’s Gay
by Esther Yu-Hsi Lee Nov 10, 2015 9:13am

Maria and her 10-year-old son Jose fled El Salvador in early October to seek asylum in the United States, hoping they may finally be able to leave gang violence behind. For the three months up until they left, MS-13 gang members targeted Jose every day for being gay, calling him homophobic names and beating him up in school. The pair ultimately decided to cross the border to reunite with Maria’s brother in Maryland. But now, they may be sent back as soon as Wednesday.

After Maria and Jose — whose names have been changed for their protection — crossed the southern U.S. border last month, they were sent to Karnes County Residential Center in Texas, which is one of three major immigrant family detention centers used to hold people before they can go before an immigration judge at their court hearing. In order to qualify for asylum in this country, Maria and Jose needed to prove to the judge they have “credible fear” that prevents them from feeling safe in their home country.

They didn’t meet the criteria. Since homosexuality is not accepted in El Salvador and their family is deeply religious, Maria felt too “ashamed” to discuss her son’s sexuality and the homophobic slurs he has encountered with the asylum officer during her credible fear interview. She did not have legal counsel during her interview nor when her case was reviewed by an immigration judge. And her son was not given the chance to explain his circumstances.

Maria and Jose’s case was taken up by Emily Puhl, an Immigrant Justice Corps Fellow and pro bono attorney at the advocacy group RAICES, who initially asked for a “reinterview” and a stay of removal. That request was denied on Tuesday. The Salvadoran consulate informed the mother and son that they would be deported this week.

More:
http://thinkprogress.org/immigration/2015/11/10/3720872/mother-child-gay-el-salvador-deportation/

[tblue37]

1. K&R for visibility. nt

[gregcrawford]

2. This poor kid will likely be murdererd...

... just because a few malicious bureaucrats were too goddamned lazy and/or prejudiced to do their jobs properly. Such incompetence should have consequences.

[Sunlei]

3. Mother & Child refugees need a humanitarian visa stat. Thousands of other border refugees too!

some have been in those 'for profit' detention camp jails for 2 years.