Tucson Judge Orders Deportation of Activist

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Azalia Munoz, Senior Spotlight Editor

Alejandra Pablos, 32, a well known activist for immigration and reproductive rights is ordered to be deported by Tucson judge. On March 11, in downtown Tucson – Immigration Judge Thomas Michael O’Leary denied her request for asylum. This is a major concern for Pablos due to the fact that in Mexico, abortion is highly illegal, and activists with similar values have received severe death threats. She believes it is unsafe, and could result in her being targeted for persecution.

Pablos was born in Nogales, Sonora, but came to the U.S. as a baby. She has lived in Arizona her entire life, and has always felt the need to speak out against injustices. “If I see injustices, I’m going to speak out against them,” she testified at the hearing Tuesday. She is known widely across the U.S. for her outspoken personality, but most famously for her arrest at a Department of Homeland Security building in VA. She led the protest, which she states was peaceful – but was the only one arrested at the event. While she was arrested more than 20,000 people signed a petition for her to be released.

Pablos issued this statement after the hearing:

“I’ve been living here since I was a baby, and Arizona is the place where I’ve grown up and learned how to fight for our rights. I will continue to fight for my right to stay here, to speak out about my story. This is not the end of our fight; we will appeal this decision and urge Arizona Governor Ducey to issue a pardon for the arrests that led to my detention in the first place. Getting a pardon from the Governor would significantly increase my chances to be able to continue to fight to stop my deportation and allow me to stay home with my family and community.”

She believes her resistance towards the Trump administration has also contributed to this decision. ICE issued a statement saying that they target no one but make decisions based on beliefs or comments. Pablos will fight the order for her deportation, and the people in Arizona, along with those across the nation hope she wins this case. She is seen as a voice for those who are oppressed and a leader of justice.