Wednesday, June 13, 2007

U.S. gov’t sued over wrongful deportation of disabled man

The family of a mentally disabled citizen deported to Mexico filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government on Monday. Though spokesmen for the Department of Homeland Security and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department claimed that proper procedure was followed, the family of 29-year-old Pedro Guzman believes he is missing in Tijuana:

“"My worst fear is that he is no longer living," said Guzman's brother, Michael Guzman.”He doesn't know how to read. He often can't remember the family phone number. He even gets lost if he gets off the main street in Lancaster (California)."”

Guzman has not been heard from for over a month. The American Civil Liberties Union- a partner in the lawsuit- blamed the Sheriff's Department for acting as “de facto immigration agents.”

Update: The Associated Press issued a minor correction to their original story on Guzman. (See second link).

Sources- Reuters, International Herald Tribune, The Washington Times

Image- Tijuana.com (U.S.-Mexico border crossing into Tijuana)

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