Lawsuit: Mentally Ill US Citizen Wrongly Deported

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Lawsuit: Mentally Ill US Citizen Wrongly Deported
Posted: 6:00 am EDT October 14, 2010
Updated: 6:05 am EDT October 14, 2010

ATLANTA -- A mentally disabled U.S. citizen who spoke no Spanish was deported to Mexico with little but a prison jumpsuit after immigration agents manipulated him into signing documents allowing his removal, a lawsuit filed Wednesday alleges. His lawyers say the agents ignored records showing his Social Security number, while prison officials wouldn't tell concerned relatives what happened.

The lawsuit filed in federal court in Atlanta by the American Civil Liberties Union seeks damages from the federal government and people ranging from Obama administration officials to immigration agents. It also asks for a jury trial.

Mark Lyttle was serving prison time in North Carolina for a misdemeanor offense in 2008 when prison officials say he gave Mexico as his place of birth, drawing the attention of immigration agents. His lawyers acknowledge he eventually signed papers allowing his deportation, but argue he was too mentally disabled to understand what he was doing. He spent four months in Central America before his family helped him return.

"The government failed to protect Mr. Lyttle, and individuals who lacked the proper training and oversight violated Mr. Lyttle's constitutional rights," the lawsuit said. The government does not have the right to deport U.S. citizens.

Read more: http://www.wsbtv.com/news/25387476/detail.html

[dmr]

1. Unbelievable!

None of us are safe! :grr:

In October 2008, Lyttle was sent to an immigration detention facility in south Georgia and interviewed by another agent. That interrogation form "accurately reflected that Mr. Lyttle was 'a native of United States and a citizen of United States,"' but the agent still said Lyttle could be deported because of criminal convictions.

An immigration judge ordered Lyttle deported in December 2008 without letting him present evidence or deny he was Mexican, the lawsuit says.

His lawyers say Lyttle was then flown to Texas and "forced to disembark and sent off on foot into Mexico, still wearing the prison-issued jumpsuit."

[Festivito]

2. He is mentally disabled, not ill. Whereas our officials are mentally ill and need to be disabled.

The self-righteous self-aggrandized official goons are able to make good choices, they just won't. They are sick and need help finding exit from their current employ.

[Xipe Totec]

3. Well said nt

[madrchsod]

4. spot on.....

[happygoluckytoyou]

5. IN A RELATED STORY: EX-PRESIDENT DUBYA BUSH FOUND WANDERING IN MEXICO

[Iowa]

6. Deport the agents who manipulated him...

Evil bastards.