TAKE ACTION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

TELL THE EAGLE PASS, TX CITY COUNCIL TO CONDEMN ARRESTS OF PEOPLE OF COLOR IN PUBLIC PARKS!

On the week of June 5th, 2023, migrants seeking safety at the Texas-Mexico border were unjustly arrested at Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, TX. These arrests mark a new low for Operation Lone Star, a harmful and racist operation that had previously focused on private property.

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers directed dozens of migrants to cross the border and subsequently arrested them for trespassing on private property. Signed affidavits by DPS officers falsely claimed that Shelby Park was private property under the control of Rolando Salinas, stating that he had provided a statement prohibiting the presence of these individuals without permission.

However, this claim is false. Shelby Park is a public park open to all visitors. There are no signs indicating that it is private property, and no fees or permissions are required to access its amenities. Therefore, the charges of trespassing on private property against these migrants are baseless.

These arrests unjustly target migrants and deny them their right to seek asylum. Furthermore, they pose a threat to all members of the Eagle Pass community, as racial profiling and unjust arrests become a risk. Operation Lone Star allows Mayor Rolando Salinas and DPS state troopers to profile and target vulnerable groups, exacerbating the number of illegal and unfounded arrests against migrants and other communities of color in Eagle Pass.

It is imperative that these arrests cease immediately. People should not be criminalized or unfairly persecuted for merely being in public spaces. We urge you to take action and demand an end to these illegal arrests. Submit this form to email the Eagle Pass City Council.

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Mayor

Rolando

Salinas Jr.

The City of Eagle Pass

Councilman

William

Davis

The City of Eagle Pass

Councilman

Mario E.

Garcia

The City of Eagle Pass

Councilman

Elias

Diaz

The City of Eagle Pass

Councilwoman

Monica J.

Cruz

The City of Eagle Pass

Dear {contact_data~title}

My name is {user_data~First Name} and I stand in solidarity with migrants seeking safety in Eagle Pass. I am writing to demand that Mayor Rolando Salinas stop issuing these false statements that aid in the illegal arrest of migrants by Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers.

The arrests on community parks (like Shelby Park) not only harm migrants seeking safety in our country, but also endanger all community members of Eagle Pass, who are now at risk of being racially profiled and arrested on property that is open to the public. Migrants must be afforded the right to seek asylum, and all community members deserve a right to live free from the fear of being targeted on property that is open for community use.

The actions of Mayor Salinas Jr. are concerning because they support the illegal and unconstitutional Operation Lone Star (OLS). Since 2021, OLS has violated the due process rights of asylum seekers and U.S. Citizens and Nationals alike, has promoted racial profiling, and has fueled anti-immigrant rhetoric that harms all of our communities

I demand that Mayor Rolando Salinas stop issuing these false statements that aid in the illegal arrest of migrants by DPS. I demand that these baseless criminal charges against these migrants be dropped. I demand that these migrants are not released into ICE/DHS custody. These migrants have the right to seek asylum, and these unfounded criminal charges have the potential to unfairly and negatively impact their immigration cases.

Lastly, as city leaders, it is imperative that you condemn the actions of Mayor Salinas Jr., and instead choose to support migrants and other community members in Eagle Pass.

Sincerely,

{user_data~First Name} {user_data~Last Name}