Texas Civil Rights Review

Category: Uncategorized

  • Ibrahim Family Release Imminent

    A source close to the family says that pregnant mother Hanan and four children of the Ibrahim family will be released from the T. Don Hutto prison Saturday morning.

    There had been some discussion about keeping the release news private, but the source says media have been notified. According to standard prison procedures, says the source, it is very likely that the mother and four children are spending this night together in prison for the first time in three months.

    May the Ibrahims be granted a graceful and safe return to a life of freedom in their new home state, Texas.–gm

  • Ibrahim Asylum Miracle Makes World News, But Don't Forget the Others

    Our chronicle of efforts to bring attention to the abduction of the Ibrahim family comes to a dramatic conclusion this evening with the release of a dispatch by Associated Press reporter Anabelle Garay that is already posted at the International Herald Tribune and Haaretz.

    The AP reports that the Ibrahim family has been granted a welcome change of fortunes in its dealings with the USA Bureau of Immigration Affairs, but the story does not convey a sense of how unusual and historical this reversal is for a family of Palestinian heritage.

    With the Ibrahims’ appeal for asylum reopened, they are no longer subject to the paperwork that was used to arrest them in the first place, and we guarantee that the family will be free sooner than anyone can guess.

    Now the time comes to ask about the other two families of Palestinian heritage who were arrested the same day as the Ibrahims–the Suleimans and Hazahzas. But beyond that, we encourage readers and reporters alike to stay tuned for the end game of this struggle, which is to shut down the T. Don Hutto prison for children, along with every jail like it.–gm

  • Document: USA Board of Immigration Reopens Ibrahim Appeal for Asylum

    Decision of the Board of Immigration Appeals

    Department of Justice

    Executive Office for Immigration Appeal

    Falls Church, Virginia 22041

    Date: FEB 2, 2007

    In Re: SALAHEDDIN MAHD IBRAHIM
    FATEN SALAHEDDIN IBRAHIM
    MARYAM SALAHEDDIN IBRAHIM
    RODAINA SALAHEDDIN IBRAHIM
    HAMZEH SALAHEDDIN IBRAHIM
    HANAN SALAHEDDIN IBRAHIM

    IN REMOVAL PROCEEDINGS

    MOTION

    ON BEHALF OF RESPONDENTS: John Wheat Gibson, Esq.

    ORDER:

    PER CURIAM. The respondents are a family of Palestinians who entered the United States on September 25, 2001, and were ultimately placed in removal proceedings as overstays. On January 15, 2003, the immigration judge denied the respondents’ request for release from removal. Thereafter, the Immigration Judge denied the respondents’ motion to reopen, and on August 24, 2004, we summarily affirmed. In 2005 we denied a motion to reopen. On November 13, 2006 the respondents filed another motion to reopen, and a request for a stay, alleging that they have a well-founded fear of future persecution and a fear of torture based on changed country conditions in the occupied territories of Israel.
    The time and number limitations do not apply to a motion to reopen based on changed country conditions. [Citation not transcribed here.]

    It is clear that conditions have changed in the occupied territories of Israel since the Immigration Judge’s hearing. The respondents have presented sufficient evidence that Hamas now controls the occupied territories and that the Hamas are considered a terrorist organization by the United States. Further, the respondents have presented a number of affidavits of individuals who were threatened, extorted, or harmed while visiting the occupied territories, because these individuals had connections with the United States, and Hamas believes that these individuals should support Hamas financially because they are Palestinians with connections to funds in the United States.

    [page two]

    The respondents have submitted sufficient evidence of changed country conditions that are material to their claim of torture and request for protection under the Conventions Against Torture. Further the respondents have shown changed country conditions that may be material to their claim for asylum. Given the clear change in country conditions, as well as material evidence regarding the respondents’ claims for protection under the Convention Against Torture and asylum, the motion to reopen will be granted and the record remanded for further proceedings in accordance with this decision.1

    Signature FOR THE BOARD

    1 Since we are granting the motion to reopen and remanding for further proceedings, our November 21, 2006, decision denying the request for stay is moot.

    Letter from the Board of Immigration Appeals

    Letter from the Board of Immigration Appeals

  • Photo Archive: Vigil III

    Editor’s note to the Kopits and other good families who stood outside Hutto prison during the three vigils of the past six weeks. You did it. You made history!–gm

    Taylor Family Says No to Children's Prison Next Door

    The Kopit family of Taylor, TX say no at Vigil III, Jan. 25, 2007. In the background, A.J. Montrose and musicians. (Photo by Jay J. Johnson-Castro)

  • Ibrahim Case Makes Legal History, Deportation Suspended

    Email from John Wheat Gibson, Esq.

    “Amazing Grace”

    Date: Fri, 2 Feb 2007 16:06:13 -0600

    Muchachos y muchachas,

    The Board of Immigration Appeals today granted my motion to reopen the Ibrahim family’s asylum case, and send it back for the immigration judge to consider their asylum claims again. Now there is no excuse for the Gestapo to keep the children in prison any longer.

    I don’t know how much effect the hard work of Jay Johnson, Greg Moses, Brett Shipp and others may have had on the BIA decision, but I am mighty grateful for it.

    John Wheat Gibson
    ************

    Email from Johsua E. Bardavid, Esq.</em

    [Fri, 02 Feb 2007 21:03:54 -0500]

    Hi Greg:

    Incredible news. The Board of Immigration Appeals by miracle decided to reopen the claim for asylum by the Ibrahim family.

    Mr. John Wheat Gibson, the attorney who had represented the Ibrahim’s in the claim for political asylum had filed a motion to reopen to the Board of Immigration Appeals back in November. This motion asserted that the conditions in the Occupied Territories had changed such that it warranted the granting of asylum to the Ibrahims, notwithstanding the prior ruling of the immigration judge. It had been pending since then, and one now the Board decided to grant the motion.

    I have never heard of the Board granting such a motion for Palestinian asylum seekers before,
    even though many people have tried.

    I believe that the pressure put on the government by the actions filed in the federal courts, the media attention (including your work in documenting this case), and good work and thorough preparation of Mr. Gibson in his motion on behalf of the Ibrahims resulted in this outcome.

    In short, we believe the Ibrahims will be released from detention within a few weeks, and hopefully, their
    asylum application will be resolved by an immigration judge in the next few months. The Board’s decision means that, right now, *the Ibrahims are no longer subject to an order of removal*. This is the best news that we could have hoped for.

    Take care and thanks for your help.

    Josh