TUCSON, Ariz. — A federal immigration court ordered the deportation of Alejandra Pablos, a nationally known reproductive and immigrant rights activist.
Following the order, Pablos says it would be unsafe for her to go back to Mexico because of her status as an activist.
Pablos was first arrested in January at a protest outside a DHS Office in Virginia.
After being released, immigration officials took Pablos into custody during a regularly scheduled visit in Tucson.
Pablos issued the following statement:
“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.”
Pablos supporters say she was targeted because of her push back against the Trump administration
ICE issued the following statement:
“U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) does not target unlawfully present aliens for arrest based on advocacy positions they hold or in retaliation for critical comments they make. Any suggestion to the contrary is irresponsible, speculative and inaccurate. ICE focuses its enforcement resources on individuals who pose a threat to national security, public safety and border security. We will continue to target criminal aliens whenever and however they come to our attention. As ICE leadership has made clear, ICE will no longer exempt classes or categories of removable aliens from potential enforcement. All of those in violation of the immigration laws may be subject to immigration arrest, detention and – if found removable by final order – removal from the United States."
Pablos says she will fight the judge's decision on her deportation.
