Raped in Detention, Call ICE and Ask for Douglas’ Release!
Director Steven P. Boll
Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Houston Field Office
Director Boll,
I am writing to express my concern in the case of Douglas Menjivar-Pineda (A# 098 354 973) who has been detained for almost two years and is currently at the Polk County Detention Center in Texas. Mr. Menjivar-Pineda arrived to the United States from El Salvador in early 2004. In 2009, Mr. Menjivar-Pineda returned to El Salvador to take care of his father after he became fatally ill and until his passing in 2012. A year later Mr. Menjivar-Pineda tried to enter the US again and was detained at the border. Eventually, he was transferred to Joe Corley Detention Center where he was raped. Mr. Menjivar-Pineda did not receive adequate medical care from ICE officers and his mental health has severely deteriorated ever since that time
Mr. Menjivar-Pineda has no criminal record and should not be a priority for deportation. I am aware that Mr. Menjivar-Pineda was ordered removed after missing an immigration court in 2005 but he does not pose a threat to national security, border security, public safety, or the integrity of the immigration system. Furthermore, Mr. Menjivar-Pineda left El Salvador in 2013 after receiving death threats from violent groups. If deported his life would be in grave danger. I urge you to exercise favorable use of Prosecutorial Discretion and release Mr. Menjivar-Pineda so he can receive the proper medical and mental health services he needs.
Thank you
[Signature]
Can you help Douglas and send a message to the Houston Field Office Director asking for his release?
Douglas Menjivar-Pineda (A# 098 354 973) is currently detained at the Polk Detention Center in Texas. Before being transferred to Polk, Douglas was at the Joey Corley Detention Center where he was raped. Douglas tried to report the incident to ICE officials but instead of providing support they ridiculed him and ignored his pleas for medical attention. Douglas’ physical and mental health has declined to the point of being unbearable. At the Joey Corley Detention Center Douglas participated in a hunger strike to bring attention to the inhumane conditions of the facility and his case. As a result of his involvement in the hunger strike ICE transferred Douglas to another detention center; instead of addressing Douglas’ concerns ICE continues to shut him down.
Douglas came to the United States from El Salvador in 2004 to work and provide for his family but when his father became fatally ill in 2009, Douglas returned to look after him. His father passed away and Douglas lived in El Salvador for several years until he was threatened by violent groups for serving as a police informant. If deported Douglas’s life would be in grave danger.
Douglas has no criminal record and based on the memorandum issued by DHS on November 20, 2014 entitled “Policies for the Apprehension, Detention and Removal of Undocumented Immigrants” he is not a priority for deportation. ICE refuses to release him because Douglas was ordered removed in absentia when he missed an immigration court 10 years ago! This is not enough to send him to his death and further debilitate him.
Categories: Deportation Cases, Victories