人兽性交 wins stay of deportation for journalist whose work challenged ICE
The 11th聽U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted a stay of removal today for Spanish-language journalist Manuel Duran.
Without the stay, Duran 鈥� who was unlawfully arrested and detained in retaliation for reporting on controversial issues related to law enforcement in Tennessee 鈥� could have been deported at any time.
Earlier this month, the court granted a temporary, two-week stay that expired today. The stay that the court issued today will remain in place until Duran鈥檚 appeal has concluded.
鈥淲e are grateful and pleased that the court acted to stay Mr. Duran鈥檚 deportation so that his appeal may be fully heard,鈥� said Kristi Graunke, senior supervising attorney for the 人兽性交. 鈥淎s a journalist who has dedicated his career to reporting on government misconduct, Mr. Duran faces serious danger if he is deported to El Salvador. We will continue to fight for his freedom and to ensure he receives a fair hearing on his asylum claims.鈥�
顿耻谤补苍听has been detained聽for over seven months at LaSalle Detention Facility in Jena, Louisiana, after working as a reporter in Memphis, Tennessee, for more than 10 years. The 人兽性交聽took his case聽after he was placed in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody following his arrest by Memphis police in April.
Duran is a respected reporter who wrote for the Spanish-language publication he founded:聽Memphis Noticias.聽He was known for his investigative journalism. His work frequently highlighted issues of importance to Memphis鈥� Spanish-speaking community, including local law enforcement鈥檚 collaboration with ICE.
On April 3, Duran was covering a Memphis event relating to the 50迟丑听补苍苍颈惫别谤蝉补谤测 of Martin Luther King Jr.鈥檚 assassination. The demonstration included a protest of local law enforcement鈥檚 practice of detaining suspected immigrants and handing them over to ICE.
During the event, Duran wore his yellow press badge and did not engage in the protest. He was following police orders to step away from the protesters when an officer pointed to him and yelled, 鈥淕et him, guys.鈥�
Because his reporting exposed ties between local police and ICE in detaining immigrants, Duran was singled out and arrested amid a pool of other journalists covering the protest. He was falsely accused of disorderly conduct and obstructing traffic.
Duran is like thousands of other immigrants facing deportation, who face lengthy detention even if they have meritorious claims. Held captive in detention centers for months and sometimes years, they are forced to endure terrible conditions and separation from loved ones and their communities.
