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Email from Joshua Bardavid, Esq.

The Hazahzas are free! They have been released on an order of supervision. Obviously we are all thrilled that they are finally free from unnecessary imprisonment, but I remained deeply dismayed that the
government waited until six months had elapsed. As we noted in our Court filings, simply because detention beyond six months is presumptively unreasonable does not mean that detention before six months reasonable or constitutional. Put another way, by releasing the
Hazahzas, the government is conceding that removal/deportation is unforeseeable. So if removal is unforeseeable today, then it was unforeseeable yesterday (and the day before that, and even on November 2, 2006, the day they were detained). As far as we can tell, ICE held the Hazahzas this long simply because they believed their actions were
unreviewable. I hope Congress takes note of this, and restores the habeas corpus authority of the courts to review actions of ICE.

Greg, thanks again for your keeping everyone informed of this and all of the other cases — Congress may be able to shield ICE from the eyes of the courts, but they will never be able to shield it from the eyes of the grassroots movement!

-Josh

NOTE: in reply to a follow-up email, Bardavid said he expects Ahmad Hazahza to be released on Monday, May 7.

The following materials were previously posted as site announcements.–gm

Please join Dr. Asma Salam as she continues her rolling vigil for Rolling Plains prisoner Suzi Hazahza and all mistreated immigrants at the Dallas Federal Courthouse, 1100 Commerce St., every weekday from 9am – 4pm. At last report, Suzi’s human right to habeas corpus has been placed in ABEYANCE by the USA until May 2 (see below).

Dr. Asma Salam keeps vigil outside the Dallas Federal Courthouse (Photo by Trish Majors)

Thank you so much. I hope this protest makes a difference and God accepts our deeds. Every morning that I spent alone makes me very sad as I could not escape thinking about all that is going on inside these immigration detention centers and the ignorance and acceptance of even understanding this issue in our society. It makes me feel like we are hitting our heads against the wall. Everyday I fight this challenge with tears in my eyes that how do I make people understand how inhumane these detention centers are, and regardless of status issues no one deserves to be there. May God help us all in releasing the pain and sufferings of these families and children.

The Emerald Companies

If you can’t make the vigil, please visit the website of the folks who profit from the imprisonment of Suzi Hazahza and other mistreated immigrants: The Emerald Companies. It’s time we get to know them all better. Check out our preliminary roundup of internet resources on Emerald, “Getting to Know the Emerald Companies“.–gm

Follow the Money

Intrepid ally and web surfer Sarah Boone found a national report on private prison lobby money compiled by the Institute on Money in State Politics. The report for Texas begins on page 29 of this pdf.

Good mornin’ Sr. Bustamante…

This is an urgent and personal appeal. PLEASE speak with the mothers and the children in the HUTTO prison camp.

In the beginning, ICE and CCA would not allow the inside of the prison camp to be visited or viewed…not by the attorneys that visited their clients, nor by the media. We pushed to get freedom of speech and freedom of the press for those on the inside and the media. Requests from all over the country for freedom of information and for a tour of the Hutto prison camp flooded ICE and CCA. We scored for “freedom of the press” when ICE and CCA were forced to allow a media tour on February 10, after they did some superficial modifications to disguise the previous conditions. But there is still no “freedom of speech”.

The children and their mothers are not allowed to speak to the media…and the media is not allowed, but prohibited, to speak with the mothers and children. That violates the international “Rights of the Child”, even though the United States is the only country aside from Somalia that has not ratified those most basic of rights.

So…PLEASE interview the mothers and children. Privately. Confidentially.

We need to know what they think, how they feel and and what suffer in Hutto.

We need to know how they’ve been treated, what they were escaping if seeking asylum.

We need to know from what countries they come.

We need to know if there has been translators to convey their thought, feelings, circumstances.

We need to know if they are able to communicate their needs to the prison guards and to our government.

We need to know if they need help, counseling, medical care.

We have been told that some mothers have given birth in the Hutto prison camp. Why was that? Was their adequate medical care for the delivery? We’ve been told that some women have been taken to a hospital in Round Rock, blind-folded and cuffed. If that is true…why? We have been told that once in the hospital that the women are cuffed to the beds while exams are being done. It that is so…why?

We the people of the United States, who are endeavoring to free these victims, are shocked that our country would commit this atrocity against the most innocent and helpless of our human family. We need help to help them. Our government is very secret about who is there, where they are from and what their circumstances and conditions are. Please help us get freedom of speech, press and freedom of information.

As we spoke yesterday, we will be holding Hutto Vigil VIII in front of the Hutto prison camp in concert with your visit on May 7th. This will be the eighth vigil since the beginning of our fight for the “liberty and justice for all” of members of our human family that are imprisoned in the Hutto prison camp.

Hasta el Lunes…

Jay

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NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND BARS
FREE the CHILDREN
jay@villadelrio.com
(830)768-0768

Email from Jay Johnson-Castro

Notice

MFor months…we’ve asked for it. Pleaded for it. And now we have it…!!!

When have you ever heard of a UN Human Rights investigation being done in America…right here in Texas? Well…here it is! And…it’s about time. It could have come sooner…but it isn’t coming too late. Let’s see how long national media can keep this a secret as they’ve kept the Hutto prison camp with innocent children a secret.

I just spoke with Jorge Bustamante, the United Nations, Human Rights Council’s independent expert on migrant rights . He will be visiting the Hutto prison camp on May 7th.
In concert withr. Bustamante’s inspection of the Hutto prison camp, and with his approval, we will be holding Hutto Vigil VIII on May 7th…in support his visit. We’ll send out the specific details as we get them. Meantime…please mark your calendars for this important vigil. Let your family, friends, neighbors and organizations know.

It is understood that the national media, which is complicit with the Administration, will resist publicizing the UN Human Rights inspection of Hutto. It’s their little secret. At the same time…the ruling elitists all know that when the national media has been forced to report on Hutto and prison camps like Haskell, Raymondville and Bayview…we will have won! That is why we should be ever so proud of our local media here in Texas. TV, radio, newspapers and electronic media…both English and Spanish. They keep the message alive! With their reports and articles…blogsphere is full of reports and opinions. It is the local and state level media that gives the foundation for further investigation and reporting. I also want to thank BBC Mundo! that has been there from the start.

We trust that the national media will be forced to cover this investigation of human rights violations at the Hutto “for profit” prison camp…along with the other camps all over the state and the country. We have long said that this is not just a local, state issue…but a national and international tragedy. Members of our human family are being treated inhumanely…right here on American soil…in “the land of the free”.

As a coalition of Americans, we are focused on this one thing. FREE the CHILDREN. Our motto for now…is “NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND BARS”. There are many issues over which battles are being waged in this country. Today…May 1…is proof of that. For us…the bar couldn’t be any higher than to free innocent children from the grip of a cruel administration that would commit such an atrocity.

May 10th is also a key date. Correction Corporations of America (CCA) the nation’s and the world largest “for profit” prison company…and the owner of the Hutto prison camp where the innocent children are imprisoned, will be holding its annual stockholders’ meeting in Nashville, TN. We are calling on any and all individuals and organizations to hold a protest at their stockholders’ meeting on that day. If you have any suggestions, please let us know.

Currie Hallford and a team of fellow Americans are working up and down the hallways of the Texas Capitol…trying to keep HCR 64 alive. HCR 64 is the resolution drafted by Rep. Eddie Rodriguez and Rafael Anchia to demand the Homeland Security…Chertoff & ICE…desist from the immoral imprisoning of the immigrant children in Hutto and come up with a more humane and dignified solution. Seventeen other representatives have signed on to that bill.

Shame on Rep. David Swinford for holding up HCB 64! Shame on the Williamson County Commissioners for renewing the lease which perpetuates the immoral treatment of innocent children.

We’d also like to share this link with you. http://eyeonwilliamson.org/?p=1071. It’s a very comprehensive summary about the latest findings on Hutto, HCR 64 and the money flow…all nicely packaged with supporting links. The editor of the site appropriately uses this quote.
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

Also, attached, is a program for an upcoming event. The International Solutions Forum to be held on May 5th in San Antonio and sponsored by LULAC. If interested, you can contact Armando Garcia at (210)525-9191 Ext. 32 or at armando.garcia@imfge.com.

As always, journalist, Greg Moses of http://www.texascivilrighs review.org has for months been dedicated in presenting on his on-line news site, comprehensive posts and archives of our battle to free the children as well as all the immigrants who are immorally detained “for profit” in our state and our country.

Jay

P.S. As y’all know…I started my personal protest against American tyranny by walking in protest against the border wall back in October, November as well as in February. The border wall issue is very close to my heart and is coming back into view…fast and furious. We’ll be coming up with plans to continue our protest of the wall. In the mean time…here’s a powerful expose on the issue.

jjj

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jay@villadelrio.com
(830)768-0768