On October 23rd, Martha Lorena Rivera from Alamogordo was scheduled to surrender herself to immigration authorities to be deported to Mexico. Instead, Rivera sought sanctuary at Holy Cross Retreat Center in Las Cruces. Edmundo Resendez has her profile.
Resendez: A car accident involving Martha Lorena Rivera’s son in 2011 led to a call to immigration authorities. At the time, Rivera had a newborn who was born in the United States so she was granted a stay of removal under the condition that she apply for the stay on a yearly basis. Each year since then she was granted a stay except for this year when she was ordered to surrender herself to immigration authorities for deportation. Rivera argues that by deporting her, they are deporting her eight year old daughter who doesn’t know a life in Mexico and is an American citizen.
Rivera: I know the laws right now are hard. All I want is an opportunity to help me fight for the opportunity for my daughter because my daughter doesn’t know Mexico. My daughter is in special education in school, she has some medical treatments, they are not serious but she has them. That is really why I am fighting. She is terrified about going to Mexico. She doesn’t speak Spanish that well. She doesn’t know anybody and I don’t have a home to offer her.
Resendez: Rivera says that all she has done in this country is to work to set an example for her children often working multiple jobs to provide for her family.
Rivera: What I want people to know is that I am an honest mother and that I have always worked to give a better life for my children. If you can give an opportunity to support me is important. I am one of thousands of voices who are in the same situation who have not made the decision to speak out. I want their support. I am a good person. I have never been a burden to this country. Not even my daughter. I have never asked for a handout.
Resendez: Rivera has a son who lives in Dallas and is a legal resident. She also has a daughter who goes to college and is a recipient of DACA – a dreamer. After living in the United States since 2002, Rivera says she has nothing in Mexico to go to.
Rivera: I came here to ask for sanctuary so that something can be done so that the immigration authorities can hear my calling and give me an opportunity to continue living with my daughter. My daughter needs me. I can’t leave my daughter. And I can’t take her with me because it’s a sad life for an immigrant in Mexico, sadly, for someone who doesn’t have anything, like me.
Resendez: Rivera wants the community to help speak on her behalf and others in her same situation who she says do not have a voice because of their immigration status.
Rivera: The message I want to give to the community is not to be silent. To please support us. There are so many people with all of these problems. But for those of you that can fight, the ones that can speak out, we are the silent voices that cannot be heard because we are not here legally. But, those that can help, they need to speak out, they should speak out to let them know we are here, that we are good people and to fight for us.
Resendez: At the moment, Communidades en Accion y de Fe or CAFÉ is filing for a stay of removal on Rivera’s behalf. Rivera will continue to seek sanctuary at Holy Cross Retreat until her case is heard. For KRWG News, I’m Edmundo Resendez.
The region's home page is only possible with your support. Become a member, renew, or make an additional gift now. Thank you.
