FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS CONTACT: Jorge Mújica, (773) 852-8815
PRESS CONFERENCE TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2009, AT 11 A.M. AT THE JUSTICE MISSION, 3442 W. 26TH ST, CHICAGO
In a historical decision, the Supreme Court of the United States dealt a blow to Immigration and other Federal authorities, rejecting a “favorite tool” in cases against undocumented workers. Unanimously, the Court ruled that a federal identity-theft law may not be used against undocumented workers using false Social Security numbers to get jobs.
Since May 12, 2008, at the massive immigration raid in Postville, Iowa, federal authorities have been accusing undocumented workers of “aggravated identity theft”, which carries a mandatory sentence of two years in jail, as a way to get them to sign “voluntary departures” instead of requesting an audience with a judge and plea their immigration case. In the Chicago area, many immigrants carrying false ID have been accused of “aggravated identity theft”, instead of the simple accusation of being in the country without proper documentation.
The Our Lady of Guadalupe Anglican Catholic Mission, the Justice Mission and other community organization will demand local authorities to drop their cases of “aggravated identity theft”, in accordance to the Supreme Court ruling.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS CONTACT: Jorge Mújica, (773) 852-8815
*PRESS CONFERENCE TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2009, AT 11 A.M. AT THE
JUSTICE MISSION, 3442 W. 26TH ST, CHICAGO*
In a historical decision, the Supreme Court of the United States dealt a
blow to Immigration and other Federal authorities, rejecting a “favorite
tool” in cases against undocumented workers. Unanimously, the Court ruled
that a federal identity-theft law may not be used against undocumented
workers using false Social Security numbers to get jobs.
Since May 12, 2008, at the massive immigration raid in Postville, Iowa,
federal authorities have been accusing undocumented workers of “aggravated
identity theft”, which carries a mandatory sentence of two years in jail, as
a way to get them to sign “voluntary departures” instead of requesting an
audience with a judge and plea their immigration case. In the Chicago area,
many immigrants carrying false ID have been accused of “aggravated identity
theft”, instead of the simple accusation of being in the country without
proper documentation.
The Our Lady of Guadalupe Anglican Catholic Mission, the Justice Mission and
other community organization will demand local authorities to drop their
cases of “aggravated identity theft”, in accordance to the Supreme Court
ruling.
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Jorge Mujica
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Jorge Mujica