Commentary: LAS CRUCES, NM–Hope Border Institute (HBI) and Borderland Immigration Council (BIC) will share their research findings on their report Discretion to Deny. The report identifies the failures of immigration agencies and officials in the El Paso Sector to respect the rights and dignity of immigrants and asylum seekers. The event will take place on Wednesday, March 22 from 5:30-7:30 pm at the Road Runner Room in the Thomas Branigan Library located on 200 E Picacho Ave.
The in-depth report is based on documentation of over 100 cases of abuse of discretion, prolonged detention, family separation, and deterrence of asylum-seekers. There will be a panel discussion during the forum which will include Dr. Nicholas Natividad of the Criminal Justice Department at NMSU; Dr. Nancy Oretskin of the Southwest Asylum and Migration Institute (SAMI); Alan Dicker, member of the Detained Migrant Solidarity Committee (DMSC); and Sara Melton, Community Organizer with Comunidades en Accion y de Fe (CAFé).
Catholic Charities of Southern New Mexico is hosting the event. Catholic Charities’ mission is to serve others and create opportunity and hope by offering assistance to people in need, advocating for human dignity and social justice, and calling all people of good will to do the same. For more information about the event visit the Facebook event page at www.facebook.com/events/347635135633003/ or contact Paulina Rodriguez at 575-527-0500 ext. 115