ACLU-TX files suit on US State Dept for passport refusal

[sonias]

Dear Friend of the ACLU Foundation of Texas,

Today, the ACLU of Texas and the ACLU filed a class action lawsuit against the U.S. Department of State for its refusal to issue passports to Mexican-Americans born in southern border because of their race and ancestry and because their births were attended by midwives.

The lawsuit charges that the State Department questions the citizenship of virtually all midwife-delivered Mexican-Americans born near the U.S.-Mexico border. According to the lawsuit, the State Department has been forcing these applicants to go to unreasonable lengths to prove their citizenship. Then, even after the applicants supply further proof of their citizenship, the Department responds by suddenly closing their applications.

By June 2009, every American who wishes to enter or reenter the U.S. must have a valid U.S. passport or passport card. By being denied a passport, these U.S. citizens will not be able to cross the border for work or family obligations, and will be barred from conducting the everyday business of their lives.

Says our Legal Director Lisa Graybill, “For citizens living on the border, a passport is as necessary as a driver’s license. It’s wrong for the government to deny people their basic rights because their parents could not, or chose not, to have them delivered in a hospital.”

You may view our news release on this case at: http://www.aclutx.org/article.php?aid=615

Denying passports to U.S. citizens is against the law and violates our core American values of fairness and equality. We are able to do this kind of work because of the support we receive from donors and members like you to advance our efforts across our nation, including our work on the border. Thank you for helping us fight for the America we believe in.

Yours in liberty,
Terri Burke
Executive Director
ACLU of Texas

:applause::bounce::applause:

Sonia

[sonias]

1. One sample plantiff

David Hernandez, a plaintiff in the case, is a U.S. citizen and was born in San Benito, Texas in 1964. Hernandez lived and attended school in the Rio Grande Valley and served honorably in the U.S. Army, earning various medals and ribbons. Hernandez’s passport application was closed even after he responded to the Department’s demand for additional documents by providing further evidence of his birth and baptism in the U.S., evidence of his mother’s residency in the U.S. at the time of his birth, his immunization records, school records, and even a letter from the Mexican Civil Registry stating that there was no record of Hernandez being born in Mexico.

From the press release link above.

Sonia

[WolverineDG]

2. Jeez louise

is this crap still happening? :eyes: How long before anyone born south of the Nueces will be given such treatment? (that includes me btw; I've got a lifetime supply of jokes about being born in "Occupied Mexico," thanks kindly)

:hi: sonia!

dg

[sonias]

4. Hey dg!

:hi:

So when are you moving out of "occupied Mexico"? Just saying. :eyes: You know I'm kidding of course.

Most of my family live near the S. border now. Luckily most of us where born in a clinic and have our stinking papers.

Right now they're more worried about Ike than where the birth certificate is, you know what I mean.

Sonia

[WolverineDG]

5. No kidding

In other news, didya see that CPS has had to nonsuit the cases involving more that 50% of the FLDS children they claimed were so badly at risk of imminent abuse??? :evilgrin:

dg

[tbyg52]

3. Very good. I'll take all the good news I can get. nt

[sonias]

6. Ortiz files federal legislation on issuing passports

AAS 9/26/08
Texas congressman announces border legislation

WASHINGTON — Rep. Solomon P. Ortiz announced Friday he is sponsoring legislation to ensure the State Department is following an objective set of criteria in issuing passports.

The proposal is aimed to help residents who are denied passports because documents they use to prove their identity, such as midwife certificates and post natal documents, have not always been accepted as sufficient evidence by the State Department, Ortiz's office said in a statement.

Ortiz, D-Corpus Christi, says the legislation will provide an individualized assessment of passport applications; prohibit the consideration of the applicant's race, ethnicity or ancestry; allow an authorized birth certificate to constitute as sufficient evidence for the passport application; and place in writing any reasons for denial of a passport.

Good move Congressman Ortiz.


Sonia