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A message from League of United Latin American Citizens



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View as web page:

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LULAC CONDEMNS WARRANTLESS DETENTION OF IMMIGRANT MOTHER IN NEW ORLEANS
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The nation's oldest and largest Latino civil rights group warns that today's
actions by ICE are the latest in a campaign violating constitutional protections.
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Washington, DC - The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) strongly
condemns the warrantless detention of Vilma Cruz (pictured in yellow shirt), a
38-year-old Honduran immigrant and single mother, taken into custody by
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Monday morning in Kenner, Louisiana.
Cruz, who has lived in the United States for more than 20 years, was approached
by an ICE agent between 9:00 and 9:30 a.m. while sitting in her vehicle outside
the home she is preparing to move into.

According to family accounts, Cruz refused to open her window, and within minutes
her car was surrounded by ICE agents. Officers broke her window, forcibly removed
her from the vehicle, and detained her without presenting a judicial warrant. No
information on her status has been posted on the ICE detainee locator, leaving
her family in the dark. Cruz works in the skilled trades as a painter and is the
sole provider for her two U.S.-born children, an 18-year-old son and a 9-year-old
daughter. Her children now face the afternoon school bell with no parents
returning home.

"What happened to Vilma Cruz is indefensible," said Roman Palomares, LULAC
National President and Chairman of the Board. "A mother who has lived in this
country for over two decades was seized without a warrant while preparing to move
into a new home. Breaking her car window, surrounding her with agents, and
removing her in front of neighbors is not law enforcement; it is intimidation.
This is part of a widening pattern of targeting non-criminal Latinos, and now New
Orleans has become the latest epicenter. We are calling for a full review of this
detention, the authority used, and the conduct of the officers involved."

LULAC officials say this case reflects the escalating fear being reported
nationwide. The family's oldest son recovered the vehicle, and community members
are coordinating care to ensure his younger sister is safely picked up from
school at 3:30 p.m.

"Our national office is hearing from families across the country every single
day," said Juan Proaño, LULAC Chief Executive Officer. "People are terrified, and
they are reaching out to LULAC because they trust our 96-year history of
defending civil rights. Cases like Vilma's show a dangerous shift—warrantless
detentions becoming routine, and families torn apart without due process. We
cannot allow this to become the new normal in the United States."

LULAC is urging Americans to contact their elected officials immediately and
oppose the expansion of warrantless detentions. The organization reiterates its
non-partisan commitment to the fair and equal application of the law and the
protection of constitutionally guaranteed civil rights for every person in the
country.

In addition, we’ve launched a campaign to support Vilma Cruz and her family. You
can make a donation at LULAC LDF [ [link removed] ] and GoFundMe [ [link removed] ]
today.

# # #

About LULAC
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation's oldest and
largest Latino civil rights organization. Founded in 1929, LULAC is committed to
advancing the rights and opportunities of Latino Americans through advocacy,
community building, and education. With a growing network of councils nationwide,
LULAC remains steadfast in its mission to protect and empower millions of
Latinos, contributing daily to America's prosperity. For more information about
LULAC and its initiatives, please visit www.LULAC.org [ [link removed] ] .















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