TAKE ACTION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

HELP DROP CHARGES AGAINST A FAMILY SEEKING SAFETY!

Last month, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained Norelia and Cesar, the mother and father of a Venezuelan family — tearing them away from their three young children, all under 13.

Even though the family has Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and pending asylum applications, ICE charged them with “illegal” entry — more than two years after they came to the U.S.

The parents were released and are back home, but still face criminal charges in Texas, even though criminalizing asylum seekers for their manner of entry violates international law.

Urge the Acting U.S. Attorney of the Western District of Texas to drop the charges against Cesar and Norelia, and to end the practice of criminalizing migration.

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Attorney Leachman

Margaret

Leachman

U.S. Government

Dear Ms. Leachman,

I urge you to drop the charges under the provision 1325 for Illegal Entry against Cesar and Norelia (A#s 246149580 & 246149581) so they can continue to be with their three young children during the adjudication of their asylum claim in the United States after fleeing Venezuela.

On February 27, 2025, the U.S. Attorney's Office of the Western District of Texas charged these parents with 8 U.S.C. § 1325 “illegal entry” based upon their entry into the United States to exercise their human right to seek asylum. Since then, the parents have been unlawfully detained and separated from their family TWICE despite their active and valid Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and pending asylum applications. Their second arrest came after they were ordered released by a federal judge in Washington, D.C. on the charges of "illegal" entry to the United States, and happened in the presence of their 4-year old son, without a warrant and under vague and unfounded allegations of gang affiliations.

On March 28, a federal judge ordered their immediate release. They are now reunited with their children but are still facing criminal charges in Texas.

The criminal charges against Cesar and Norelia, over 2 years after they entered the United States to start their asylum process, are a blatant and outrageous subversion of the law being used to target people seeking safety and separate families that have already built lives in the United States. Everyone has the right to seek asylum, regardless of their manner of entry. People should be given prompt access to fair and efficient asylum procedures, and under international refugee law, cannot be penalized due to irregular entry into the country where they are seeking protection.

I urge you to drop the charges against Cesar and Norelia, and to end the practice of criminalizing migration.

Thank you,

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