by Matthew Hay Brown
A leading Latino civil rights group is calling on the Bush administration to suspend local law enforcement of federal immigration law after an undocumented immigrant was left in an Arkansas jail cell for four days without food, water or a toilet.
Adriana Torres-Flores, 38, was arrested for selling pirated CDs at a Washington County flea market and ordered held March 6 when authorities discovered she was in the country illegally, according to news reports. A bailiff took her to a holding cell and then forgot about her.
That was a Thursday. A snowstorm hit the region, and a reduced staff at the courthouse did not hear her cries for help that night, or any of the next three days.
According to the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, Torres-Flores was trapped in a cell measuring nine feet by 10 feet, where she drank her own urine and used a shoe for a pillow. She finally was discovered on Monday, March 11.
Washington County is one of several local jurisdictions that have entered into an agreement with the Department of Homeland Security. In a letter to the department, MALDEF President John Trasviña is asking Secretary Michael Chertoff to suspend all such agreements pending a “thorough examination” of their impacts on “the civil rights of all individuals” – citizen and immigrant, legal and illegal.
“This incident illustrates that violations of basic civil rights resulting from untrained and unsupervised local law enforcement officials acting in [jurisdictions certified by the Department of Homeland Security] are no longer simply theoretical in nature,” Trasviña writes. “In this case, Washington County’s failure to adequately train and/or supervise the county sheriff’s employee was obvious.”
In a separate letter to the Justice Department, Trasviña asks Attorney General Michael Mukasey to investigate “any potential civil rights violations that may have occurred in Washington County, Arkansas with respect to the incident involving Ms. Torres-Flores.”
Earlier, MALDEF filed a class action lawsuit in federal court alleging racial profiling by authorities in nearby Rogers, Ark. The organization is urging senators to raise the Torres-Flores incident with Chertoff today when he appears before the Judiciary Committee.
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Comments
What was the problem here? Isn"t that what she would be doing in Mexico anyway?
Posted by: dionysis | April 2, 2008 8:56 AM
Just because one bailiff was inconsiderate is not reason to tar all law enforcement agencies. How would you like to go to jail in Mexico. I've heard terrible stories of Mexican treatment by law enforcement.This sounds like ACLU all over again--liberals will always do what they do cry out for rights--what else is knew? Jerry White, Springfield, IL
Posted by: Jerry White | April 2, 2008 9:21 AM
OK, we have someone who wass arrested not for being illegal, but for breaking the law, was found not to belong in this country and complains about the treatment they got?
If you don't wan't that to happen, don't come here illegally and don't break the law.
Posted by: John | April 2, 2008 11:19 AM
Nope, John, you and Jerry ultra-White are wrong on this. This is the US and we hold ourselves to a higher standard than was exhibited here. If this happened to an American in another country there would be cries of outrage over human rights abuse
That she was here illegally is not the issue in this story. The person's responsible should be fired.
And Jerry..."What else is knew?"??? You're really showcasing your education. Quit embarrassing yourself and the American educational system.
Posted by: DD | April 2, 2008 11:55 AM
Somehow, I suspect that she endured much worse when she crossed the border illegally to get here.
Posted by: Ali | April 2, 2008 1:11 PM
DD wrote:"That she was here illegally is not the issue in this story. The person's responsible should be fired."
That she is here illegally IS the point of the story. It's why MALDEF & Co. are demanding that local enforcement of immigration laws be suspended. But you're right--her status should be irrelevant. The guard who forgot her didn't forget her because she was an illegal but because he/she is a jerk.
Posted by: Ali | April 2, 2008 1:14 PM
Reading all posts, you people forget
to know that this is how Mexican immigration law treated foreign illegal
in Mexico. Many time Mexican law
inforcer engaged in rapes. Don't too
much focus on civil or human right
violation. Go check out how Mexican
treats their illegal aliens.
Posted by: Jay Mckim | April 2, 2008 1:56 PM
The little progress that has been made on cotntrolling illegal immigration of millions from Mexico, mainly, has been the work of the Republcan Party. Despite what the Democrats claim, they are not looking out for the regulary guy. They have made stopping illegal immigration and the subsequent wage depression and denigration of American workers, as hard as pulling teeth. Good luck honestly, if you are gonna vote for Clinton, or Obama. Also, the Republicans are going to either whip McCain into a conservative or dump him.
Posted by: Bobby | April 2, 2008 2:54 PM
"Z" people Speak"
11 million people while awaiting for the "WALL" to be built to surround them so they CAN'T LEAVE, now feel the "WORK IN PROGRESS" that our new GOD Almighty the "SECRETARY" IS MOVING ALONG WITHOUT ANY CONGRESSIONAL CHURN.
11 million Z people most of them born after 1964 awaiting their new "JOHN MCCAIN" Biometric strip from Rudy Guilianni's 20% stake in "SKYWATCH" are fed up.
What is wrong with "IMMIGRATION REFORM" What is wrong with "MERIT BASED" immigration.
What is wrong with A GRANDFATHER CLAUSE for our family members that have been here for more that 25 years, 20 years, 15 years employed and now part of many families.
Why such a "RATCHED UP" EFFORT TO PUSH FOR HISPANICS TO THE MIDWEST AND THE SOUTH, AND THE NORTHERN BORDERS while building a fence.
TO CLOSE THEM IN.
Did it backfire, in the this administration, was this just a push to CONSOLIDATE the Secretary of Interior under Homeland Security. Consolidate the Department of Justice under Homeland Security. Consolidate the Secretary of Treasury under Homeland Security.
Maybe we need to ask Secretary Paulson,. Ben Bernake and the Bush Administration what is the MASTER PLAN!
Posted by: Roger Morris | April 2, 2008 3:05 PM
I agree she should not have been here illegally, but, I also agree that this is America and we 'used' to hold ourselves to a higher standard. We used to think we were the greatest economic and humanitarian power in the world. Sadly we are being eclipsed by others who we once looked down on. And who has allowed this to happen? Americans. Citizens who fuss and fight that imigrants are stealing our jobs. Nope. That's not the problem. the problem is when the new $25 DVD player comes out at Wal-Mart, the same people who play "Proud To Be An American" run down to the store and grab that Chinese crud that doesn't even work. The problem is that we have so many huge companies who look for loopholes in taxing and wages rather than do quality work. Stop fighting the wrong problem.
We all love America, I think and hope. We all seem to care what happens. And yes, we would all be up in arms if this happened to an American or worse yet, a close friend or family member. So stop acting like ignorant yokels, "I don't care as long as it wasn't an American," and start being upset that there is a problem here and we need to address it.
Is immigration the problem, I don't think so. It isn't a problem here in NC. You won't find people complaining about migrants picking tobacco, most Americans wouldn't do it themselves. But they sure do complain when they hear someone who has problems with english. Get over yourselves and get back into the system. Fight for a real American dream, "Everyone is equal and that's how they should be treated"
Posted by: Travis | April 2, 2008 3:34 PM
State laws are great, but alas they do not go far enough?
Everybody who cares about jobs for American citizens and permanent residents should applaud Federal "SAVE ACT!" Go and read about it and you decide? Not the retorical and lies from the special interest groups. Behind this powerful influence to promote the unfettered illegal cheap labor into our nation, is the the globalist elites. The globalists want to eradicate national borders and want to deny our sovereignty similar to the chaos now progressing in the European Union. England, France and other European countries have been devastated by the free movement of cheap labor from poor lands. You should go and read the immigration nightmare happening across the Atlantic. Do not read read it in our national press, because much of it is suppressed.
Read European newspapers that do not hide the raw truth, that is evidence enough. If you care about future jobs for your children, your language and the liberties of the U.S. Constitution, we must begin by enacting THE SAVE ACT. It will amplify the 1986 Simpson/Mazzoli Immigration Control act. The SAVE ACT is not perfect, but its the best we have before the new President enacts yet another AMNESTY.
If people just keep bickering amongst each other and don't put their WORDS where their MOUTHS are, nothing will be done! It will be far too late in the next year, when either party president enacts new laws.
Posted by: Dave | April 2, 2008 4:31 PM
Who do the illegals and the illegal supporters/support groups think that they are???
They do not want the laws enforced against criminals---as the illegals are DEFINITELY criminals!!!
If the illegals are so worried about their rights being infringed----why don't they go back to where they came from!!
Arkansas is getting real close to passing the same anti-illegal laws as Oklahoma and Arizona---that is why the illegal support groups are so afraid!!!
This insanity of the illegal invasion into our country----and illegals DEMANDING this and that---must end!!!
GET INVOLVED:
http://www.numbersusa.com
http://www.minutemanhq.com
http://www.americanpatrol.com
Posted by: Bren | April 2, 2008 8:34 PM
The law is improperly administered in one particular instance, therefore we should simply do away with the laws.
MALDEF is nothing but an anarchist outfit.
The more lunatic the actions by these guys, the more ridiculous they appear to any sane person in this country.
Posted by: lance sjogren | April 2, 2008 10:21 PM
She was caught selling pirated CD's AND she was in our country illegally.....seems to me that jail is where criminals belong and where she needed to be before being photgraphed, fingerprinted and DEPORTED!
Posted by: Justin | April 2, 2008 10:50 PM
I don't believe it happened. And if that report was done formally, I would hope the authorities would charge that fool with lying under oath.
I don't believe it happened. One point though: if Congress would fund the Real I.D. as they should, those folks would probably not be here and those jobs would be going to Americans at a living wage.
Posted by: Joel E. Wischkaemper | April 2, 2008 11:07 PM
Maybe Torres-Flores-Deportezz shouldnt have been here illegally AND pirating CD's at a flea market! how brazen of her not only to commit two crimes but for the media to gloss over her crime of being here illegally and breaking another federal law (if i'm not mistaken, pirating cds and dvds although sorta paltry is also a federal offense) and we are supposed to feel sorry for her "plight". wave your lawbreaking in our face only to complain when it is enforced. and as for mr i-was-in-jail-without-a-terlet...what do you think mexican prisons are like that Americans go to? geez.
Posted by: tracey | April 3, 2008 12:29 AM
Bren,you go girl !!
Posted by: Jim | April 3, 2008 10:58 AM
Neither political parties can be trusted when it comes to the illegal immigration occupation of our country. More states are trying to enact strict laws for enforcement against predator employers. However, THE SAVE ACT has the teeth and packs the punch, to halt this pestilence overwhelming our wilting economy. Very few Senators and Representatives have THE PEOPLE' S best interest in mind. The Democratic hierarchy have specifically been pandering to special interest groups, and very few have offered to co-author THE FEDERAL SAVE ACT.
Keep calling your Democrat Representative today, toll free numbers include 1-877-851-6437 and 1-866-220-0044, or call toll 1-202-224-3121 AND REGISTER YOUR OUTRAGE at ongoing efforts to keep our country from enforcing its immigration laws!
Learn the suppressed news about the border fence at:
AmericanPatrol
Posted by: Dave | April 3, 2008 6:52 PM