Urge her to stop this mother’s deportation!

In the days leading up to Christmas, a North Carolina family may be separated. Yesterday, nine-year-old Nayely and seven-year-old Blanca sat in Senator Kay Hagan’s office with members of the NC DREAM Team, urging the senator to halt the deportation of their mother, Maria Juana. Senator Hagan shamefully ignored these children’s pleas.

“My senator has the power to keep my mom from going to Mexico.” Nayely said.

“All I want for Christmas is my mom,” said Blanca.

Sign the petition!

NC DREAM Team members Elisa Benitez and Cinthia Marroquin refused to leave Senator Hagan’s office until the senator wrote a letter of support for the family to stop the deportation. The senator ignored the family and team’s pleas, and both Benitez and Marroquin were arrested after three hours. They were released shortly afterward.

“We spoke with Hagan’s staffers and it was really clear that they only cared for my opinions because I have papers,” Elisa said. “They brushed over everyone else, including Maria Juana, who came in to speak about her case, with her two daughters, sister and an interpreter that we had to provide.”

Yet, Maria Juana is still set to be deported on Dec. 27. Due to the inaction of Senator Kay Hagan, this family risks being separated and Nayely and Blanca will be left without a parent. Maria Juana is a single mother of three and the sole provider for her family. In a country publicly touting family values, Maria Juana’s deportation would only add to the hypocrisy of politicians and authority and the nearly 250,000 deportations of parents who have U.S. citizen children. Maria Juana is not a criminal, though the following statement was released by Senator Hagan’s office in response to yesterday’s request:

“It is the office’s policy that we do not comment on any individual constituent case.  In general, Senator Hagan supports prioritizing the use of the federal government’s limited resources on those individuals who pose a risk to national security or public safety.”

How does a hard-working mother providing a life for her three U.S. citizen children pose a risk to national security and public safety? Senator Hagan shamefully ignored this family. But there is still time to urge her to stand up for this North Carolina family, this mother, these children.

Call Hagan’s office and insist she urges ICE to stop Maria Juana’s deportation!

Washington D.C.: 202-224-6342
Greensboro: 336-333-5311

Sample script: “Hi I’m calling to urge the senator to support Nayely and Blanca. They need their mom this Christmas. She will be deported in 6 days. Will the senator keep Nayely and Blanca’s family together?”

What Senators can do:

1. Issue a signed letter in support of Maria Juana Perez. The letter should specifically ask that Maria’s deportation be stopped and her request for discretion. The senator must take a position on Maria’s case.

2. Call John Morton, the director of ICE, directly and ask that he use his discretion. Senators in many previous cases have made this call.

3. Issue a private bill. Any senator can sponsor a private bill and as soon as one is issued it will put a hold on any deportation for the remainder of the congressional session.

If Senator Hagan’s office tells you anything different then push them to do the above. They have the power to do it.