Commentary: LAS CRUCES – A Las Cruces mom, who has lived in the community for nearly 20 years, and has established deep ties with Our Lady of Health Catholic Church of Las Cruces, is expected to receive news on her possible deportation this week. Lawyers for Francia Elena remain unsure about the approval of the stay of deportation, but fear that if it is granted, it will only be to allow her time to get her affairs in order and properly say goodbye to her family.
Community and religious leaders will gather for an all-day prayer vigil at Our Lady of Health Catholic Church (1178 N Mesquite St.) on Tuesday, May 30, in support of Benitez- Castaño. The vigil will conclude with a 6:00 p.m. service of lamentation to bear witness to the ways families and communities suffer because of the unjust and immoral immigration system.
The vigil and evening event are organized by NM Comunidades en Acción y de Fé (CAFé) a federation of PICO National Network, the largest national faith-based community organizing network.
Benitez-Castaño was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Tuesday, May 9, after she and her son were targeted by unidentified agents in unmarked vehicles. Clergy and religious leaders are now rallying around her in an effort to get her released and prevent her from being deported.
While Benitez-Castaño remained in custody, her son, Jefferson Taborda, was released on Friday, May 12. Taborda, having entered the country at four-years-old, is eligible for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status.
“What happened to Francia, Jefferson, Steven, and her husband - the targeting and detention of a family who has lived here peacefully for decades - is not an isolated incident. Immigration agents are arresting more than 400 immigrants a day - a sharp rise from last year,” said Richard Morales, immigration policy director for PICO National Network.
Benitez-Castaño came to the United States in 1998 with her husband and then four-year-old son from Colombia on visas. They arrived in Miami and immediately traveled to El Paso to stay with a friend. Soon after, they relocated to Las Cruces, NM where they have resided since.
That same year, the family applied for asylum. They came to the United States seeking safety and feared for their lives if they returned to Colombia. In 2002, their application was finally denied and they were ordered removed. However, with no criminal record, all members of the family have remained low priorities for deportation.
Benitez-Castaño has been self- employed as a housekeeper for the past decade. Taborda is an alumnus of Las Cruces High School who graduated last year with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from New Mexico State University. The family’s youngest son is a U.S. citizen and a freshman in high school.
Who: NM Comunidades en Acción y de Fé (CAFé)
What: Daylong vigil and evening gathering in support of Francia Elena Benitez-Castaño
When: Tuesday, May 30 at 8:30 a.m. Blessed Sacrament; 6:00 p.m.gathering
Where: Our Lady of Health Catholic Church (1178 N Mesquite St.)