Berwyn Grandma, Who Has Been In U.S. 16 Years, Ordered To Leave Country
By Emma G. Gallegos in News on Aug 31, 2017 10:15PM
Genoveva Ramirez (fourth from left) / SEIU / YouTube
Genoveva Ramirez came to the U.S. on a visa 16 years ago that has since expired. Since then she has diligently checked in with immigration officials. As recently as two years ago, they told her that she didn't need to continue checking in. But officials' stance toward immigrants like Ramirez has dramatically changed since President Trump was elected; and in May, officials told her to check back in with Immigration and Customs Enforcement in August, when her fate would again be considered.
Today, immigration officials told Ramirez, 67, a grandmother of 10, community activist and SEIU member, that she has until the end of October to leave, according to the Sun-Times. Here's a video featuring Ramirez created by the SEIU:
She was told at the meeting today with ICE to show proof by the end of September that she will be on her way back to Mexico before October's end. Activists and some other undocumented immigrants showed up to protest and to call attention to Ramirez's plight. Her attorney said that Ramirez has a pending visa application, and everyone is fighting hard to keep Ramirez in the place she's called home for over a decade.
U.S. House Rep. Jan Schakowsky showed up to the protest and was next to Ramirez comforting her grandson:
Jan Schakowsky: "We can't give up. We won't give up. We'll keep fighting." pic.twitter.com/6EpmsqBs7e
— Madeline Kenney (@madkenney) August 31, 2017
Activists are asking for supporters to call the local ICE field office and demand an end to deportations:
Something you can do is call Ricardo Wong, director of the ICE field office in Chicago, and tell him to cease deportations. pic.twitter.com/igy4k5tSH9
— wikipedia brown (@eveewing) August 31, 2017