Resistance Behind Bars: The Struggles of Incarcerated Women

Community Angered by State Agency Calling Immigration on Client Families

DCF Must Stop Tearing Families Apart

CONTACT: Subhash Kateel: (347) 524-3374 or John De Leon (305) 778-0126

WHAT: Press Conference with Community Leaders and Advocates including the Florida Immigrant Coalition, Attorney John De Leon, Victor Arriaga, Sisterhood of Survivors, Women's Advocacy Project of the Women's Fund of Miami-Dade and others

WHEN: Wednesday, March 25th at 11:00 a.m.

WHERE: Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), 401 NW 2nd Avenue, Miami

ABOUT: Community leaders are angered at the actions of a private contractor working for the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) that turned the parent and grandparents of U.S Citizen children in their custody over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Leaders state that a social worker from Family Preservation Services Inc., a private contractor for DCF, failed to serve the best interest of the children on February 8, 2009, when she delivered mother Karen Arriaga to Collier County Sheriff's Office deputies acting under ICE authority while Karen was visiting her U.S Citizen children J.A (11 months) and D.A (two years). Collier is one of five Florida counties that has voluntarily taken on the unfunded task of federal immigration enforcement through an agreement with ICE. Recent studies have shown that the 287(g) program focuses police attention on immigration infractions rather than crime and public safety.

Subsequently, on February 26, 2009, the social worker called the grandparents of J.A and D.A to visit the children. During their visit, Collier County Sheriff deputies detained both grandparents, Victor Arriaga of Mexico and Elida Arriaga of Guatemala, before turning them over to ICE. In the process of the arrest, D.A and J.A were ripped from the grandmother's arms and taken from the room kicking and crying.

Members of the community are shocked that an agency entrusted with the protection of children would do something so clearly against J.A's and D.A's best interests. "How can a state agency possibly be working to the children's benefit when it's trying to sever ties between the children and everyone they love?" said Maria Rodriguez, Executive Director of Florida Immigrant Coalition.

According to John DeLeon, Attorney for the Mexican and Guatemalan Consulates, "There is a serious concern that the actions of DCF and local law enforcement will have a chilling effect on cooperation between immigrant communities and DCF and their providers with local law enforcement on issues that impact the welfare of children and their families." ###

The Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC) works to achieve equal rights for immigrants and integration into the civic and cultural life of our communities. We accomplish our mission through coordination of immigrant organizations and community education, organizing and advocacy. www.floridaimmigrant.org