LULAC Statement on ICE Intimidation Tactic on Activist Maru Mora-Villalpando

Seattle, WA - Recently Maru Mora, a 47-year-old Mexican native and outspoken activist was put in deportation proceedings by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). She’s lived in the United States for over 25 years. Her daughter, Josefina Alanis Mora is 20 years old, born in the U.S. and currently studying at Western Washington University. Maru believes she is being targeted as a form of retaliation for her relentless activism efforts. Maru is one of several immigration activists across the country who have been targeted for deportation under President Donald Trump. She believes ICE is targeting activists as an attempt to intimidate the Latino community and their allies.

In response, LULAC National President Roger C. Rocha Jr. issued the following statement:

“ICE says it’s focused on deporting criminals, but Maru is no criminal. For years Maru has served as a strong community advocate, helping organize and raise awareness about issues that impact the Latino community. She’s made it a point to educate families all across the state of Washington about immigrant rights. Maru has also stood alongside farmworkers in the berry fields in northern Washington. She’s done all this while also defending immigrants treated inhumanely at the for-profit detention center in Tacoma. Again, it’s easy to see Maru is not a criminal but an advocate. In fact, she is an example of the type of community leader our country needs, which is why LULAC presented her with an award at the 2014 LULAC’s first Women’s Summit in the Pacific Northwest held in Vancouver, WA.

ICE immigration arrests of noncriminals have doubled under Trump and it must stop. LULAC will continue to stand with Maru and all our immigrant community.”

To support Maru and sign a petition, please visit https://action.mijente.net/petitions/ice-serves-deportation-notice-on-undocumented-leader-for-organizing-detained-immigrants

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The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 1,000 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit www.LULAC.org..