March 18, 2014 Jeh Johnson Director of Homeland Security Washington, D.C.

20528 Field Director Sidney Aki Otay Port of Entry

Request for Humanitarian Parole, in the Public Interest

Re: Elvira Arellano, Estela Martinez, Irma Alicia Cisneros, Guadalupe Valencia Parra, Maria Isabel Zavala, Theysy Victoria Perez, Maria Guadalupe Nava, Monica Gabriela Hernandez, and Maria del Rosario, and their children. Dear Director Johnson, and Director Aki: Please consider this a formal request for Humanitarian Parole, in the Public Interest, for the above-mentioned individuals. All nine of these mothers qualify for this form of parole given the nature of their cases. Mothers like Theysy were wrongly denied medical care in the wake of this countrys most anti-immigrant legislation, HB87. According to section 212(d)(5)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, the Department of Homeland Security has the power to parole an immigrant for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit. These families have previously resided in the United States and contributed to this country by their work and deep-rooted involvement in the community. Most importantly, however, they are all mothers of U.S. Citizen children, who are part of the fabric of this country. Granting their parole will ensure that their children have mothers who will tend to their social, academic, and moral success in this country. All nine of these mothers have very strong community ties and are considered leaders in their communities. All nine of these mothers are perfect candidates for Humanitarian Parole, in the Public Interest.

Elvira Arellano is a household name to many immigrant families. The mere mention of her elicits responses of hope for the future of immigrants from across the United States. In 2002, Elvira was picked up during a security sweep of the OHare International Airport, she was found to be working without proper documents. Instead of going down quietly, Elvira decided to fight: I knew there was nothing I could legally do for my case, but politically we had a lot to gain. In 2006 Elvira sought sanctuary in a Chicago church, and in 2007, while sharing her story with other immigrants in Los Angeles, Elvira was taken into custody and deported. In 2006, Elvira was named one of TIME Magazines persons of the year Elvira has gone on to receive worldwide attention. The legislature of Mexico even passed a resolution asking the United States to halt her deportation. All of this pales in comparison, however, to the decision that she was forced to make: allow her son to grow up in the United States, the land of opportunity without his mother or bring him back to Mexico where he will not have the same opportunities and will, for all intents and purposes, be considered a deported U.S. citizen. Elviras story and struggle encompasses the struggle of all migrants, to live a life full of dignity and respect. Elviras deportation in 2007 also meant the deportation of her oldest son, Saul. Now, Saul is ready to rejoin his mother, as they present themselves at the Otay Port of Entry, seeking permission to return to their home, the United States. Elvira has the support of many elected officials. U.S. Representative Luis Gutierrez was a strong champion of her plight, and even to this day continues to use her story. President Obama (then Senator Obama) met with Elvira and her family, and offered them words of support. Senator Durbin, the Senate Majority Whip, also introduced a private bill for Elvira. Elvira is a leader of the community, and she deserves Humanitarian Parole, in the Public Interest.

Estela Martinez left Arizona four years ago, at the height of Maricopa Sheriff Joe Arpaios immigration crackdowns: Every week my husband was being pulled over for no reason at all. We didnt know when a traffic stop would mean his deportation. Estelas husband made the difficult decision to return to Mexico with hopes of being able to restart life there. Estela and her two United States Citizen children, Jessica and Elizabeth, soon followed her husband to Michoacn, Mexico. Estela and her family are now coming home, because they found life in Mexico to be too dangerous to raise children: Everything is controlled by the cartels. You cant do anything without first bribing the cartels or the police. Years after Estela and her family were forced to leave, Sheriff Joe Arpaios practices came under governmental scrutiny. In May of 2013, a Federal Judge ruled that the Sheriffs office used illegal racial profiling tactics. These same unjust tactics forced many families like Estelas to flee. Estela is now asking for Humanitarian Parole, in the Public Interest. Irma Alicia Cisneros is coming home to California. Earlier this year, Irma left to Juarez for a consular interview. Irmas husband, a United States citizen, petitioned for Irma to be able to adjust her status. In 2005, when Irma was just 16, she was caught at the border and deported. Because of her previous deportation and the fact that she had lived in the United States without legal status, Irmas petition for change of status was denied. Irma, now pregnant, has family in Michoacn, Mexico. However because of danger many face there, she doesnt feel as though she can raise her family in such an unsafe environment. Had Irma never tried to do things the right way, she would have been eligible to apply for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Irma is presenting herself, along with her two United States Citizen children, Francisco and Matthew, asking for Humanitarian Parole, in the Public Interest.

Erika Alejandra Troncoso and her son Arturo are coming home to Arizona. Erikas family lived in Maricopa County, Arizona. They left in 2010 when SB1070 was passed into law: Living in Arizona was already scary for my family, but after this law we just had to leave. Every drive to the store, or to take her three children to school, two of which (Daniela and Diego) are United States Citizens, came with a risk of deportation: Thats no way to live. Years after Erika and her family, were forced to leave, Sheriff Joe Arpaios practices came under governmental scrutiny. In May of 2013, a Federal Judge ruled that the Sheriffs office used illegal racial profiling tactics. These same unjust tactics forced many families like Erikas to flee. Erika is now asking for Humanitarian Parole, in the Public Interest. Guadalupe Valencia Parra and her son Duran, hope to return to Mesa, Arizona. Like many other families living in Arizona under Sheriff Joe Arpaio proved very difficult. In 2011, Guadalupes husband was deported. He had been caught driving without a license. The deportation of her husband worried her and her three children, Brandon, Melani and Duran. Guadalupe didnt know if she, too, would get deported, leaving her children to fend for themselves. The family decided they needed to move to Mexico to reconnect with their deported father. Life in Mexico proved difficult. The family was nearly kidnapped twice, when organized crime attempted to hijack the car they were in. The family suffered several robberies. All in all, Guadalupe finds it difficult to raise a family in Mexico: Arizona is our home. I feel like my whole family was deported when they took my husband from me. Guadalupe is applying for Humanitarian Parole, in the Public Interest. Her husband is currently in the Otay Detention Center awaiting processing.

Maria Isabel Zavala and her United States Citizen son, Guillermo, call California home. Maria left California in 2011 because her daughter in Mexico was dying. Her daughter had a rare disease that required urgent care. With Marias help, her daughter survived, however, now Maria finds herself trapped in Mexico. Maria has two Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) children awaiting her return in California. Her family is extremely active with the community where they reside. Maria is applying for Humanitarian Parole, in the Public Interest. In Mexico, Maria and her family, have received numerous threats from cartels: I get calls saying they have kidnapped my daughter, and that I should not report it to the police. I know if I do report it, the police will tell the cartels, and then people disappear. Maria cannot raise her children in Mexico, she needs to be allowed to come home. Maria Guadalupe Nava is coming home to Arizona. Maria had no choice but to leave to Mexico: the raids with Arpaio were getting too difficult. Marias brother had previously been kidnapped, and the family was forced to pay a ransom. In Mexico, Maria started a taxi company. However the cartels began to ask for quotas making business impossible. Marias business later closed down. Years after, Maria and her family were forced to leave Arizona, Sheriff Joe Arpaios practices came under governmental scrutiny. In May of 2013, a Federal Judge ruled that the Sheriffs office used illegal racial profiling tactics. These same unjust tactics forced many families like Marias to flee. Maria is now asking for Humanitarian Parole, in the Public Interest. Maria del Rosario is coming home to Arizona. Years before, while living in Arizona, her home was raided by ICE agents. During that raid, Maria was tricked into signing her Voluntary Departure, even though she insisted on speaking with an attorney. Maria is joined by her 18-year old Citizen daughter, Cynthia Diaz. Years after Maria, and her family, were forced to leave, Sheriff Joe Arpaios practices have come under scrutiny. In May of 2013, a Federal Judge ruled that the Sheriffs office used racial profiling tactics. These same, unjust tactics, forced many families like Marias to flee. Maria is now asking for Humanitarian Parole, in the Public Interest.

Monica Gabriela Hernndez is returning home to Arizona. Monica left for Mexico because it had been years since she had seen her parents, and she was worried about their well-being. Monica is now returning with her three children, Giselle, Jesus and Miguel, two of which are United States citizens. In Mexico, Monica lived in Michoacn, where cartels and corrupt police run the town. Monica has had cousins kidnapped and only returned after a ransom has been paid. Monica started her own business, a hair salon, only to have it shut down when she couldnt afford to pay the cartels their share of a quota. Monica has no choice but to return to Arizona, she is applying for Humanitarian Parole, in the Public Interest. Theysy Victoria Perez and her one-month-old baby boy, Christopher, are coming home to Alabama. Theysy was forced to leave Alabama in 2011, after HB87, an anti-immigrant law, went into effect. Theysy, who was pregnant at the time, was told that she would not be able to receive medical care because of her undocumented status. This same law that forced Theysy from her home, was later ruled unconstitutional. Had it not been for this grave injustice, Theysy would still be living in the United States. Theysy is now applying for Humanitarian Parole, in the Public Interest. She hopes to be able to return to the United States where she can give her children a better life: Here in Mexico, we dont have a future. Weve witnessed killings. The other day someone tried to break into our home while we were there. I dont feel safe here. It is in the public interest to see that these mothers are paroled. They are not a flight risk, nor do any of them pose any sort of danger to the community. All nine of these mothers agree to live with their sponsor and attend court hearings as directed by ICE. I urge you to grant parole to these individuals. Sincerely, Elvira Arrellano, and her families.