Artesia August 13 2014 on Vimeo on Vimeo

via Artesia August 13 2014 on Vimeo.

Artesia Day 3: I feel a little brain dead today. It was a completely crazy day. So many volunteer attorneys and so many clients. Lots of last minute notices for hearings. Officers would come get us and say your client is in a hearing right now. We would have to run around and try to find her. The kids continue to be sick and not eating. I met with so many people today. I feel like I am about to break apart from all their sorrow. I finally read the Government’s motion against bond and their arguments that these women and their tiny children are threats to National Security. It Makes me sick at heart. I listened to 5 women with sickening stories of years of domestic violence and sexual assault by husbands or partners. My last appointment was a lady with a prior order and a horrible life story and who cried and cried. It took over an hour to get her story out. She was so desperate. I had to tell her she was going to lose and was probably going back. and she cried more. But after we talked about her case she at least has a chance of getting a finding of credible fear. Not a big chance but a chance and she hugged me and said thank you for talking to her and trying to help her. and her daughter drew me a picture. I feel a little shattered today. It has only been 2 days.

From Micki Buschart

o continue Angie’s thoughts, today ICE complained that there were too many attorneys (13) and they were going to limit the amount allowed in to 8, including private attorneys who mostly consist of shady notarios. Total bullshit. We are going to fight. Maybe they should stop deporting women and children on the fast track . There are 650 detainees in this horrible pit. This has got to stop.