Comments on: The Inhumane Treatment Towards Juana Villegas DeLaPaz (Nashville, TN)

By: Obama Administration expands controversial 287(g) ICE-Police cooperation agreements « Nuestra Vida, Nuestra Voz

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 14:27:01 +0000

[...] by a police officer in Nashville, Tennessee for a routine traffic violation on July 3, 2008. Nuestra Vida, Nuestra Voz covered the story last summer and received many responses from individuals who were concerned and touched by her story in [...]

By: Delena Hayes

Delena Hayes — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 20:32:33 +0000

Nashville, in general, I’ve noticed is a very xenophophic and somewhat bigtoted city. Recently councilman Eric Crafton has proposed an ordinance that would make enlgish the official and only language used in all government communications. He has even proposed that the city charge a fee for any translation services. I understand there is a substantial number of undocumented immigrants in the city, however, cases in which immigrants are treated like Juana Villega are blatantly human rights’ violations. Both the lady’s life and her baby’s were jeoaprdized when placed under such a stressful situation in such a pivotol time. When laws like the 287g plan are passed there is a greta discrepancy as to what the proper treatment anmd handling of the situation should be and abuse of power of the behalf of public officials.

By: Cesarina

Cesarina — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 20:56:42 +0000

Joanne-
We appreciate your comment and encourage a diverse conversation amongst our readers. People should never assume that their comment will not get approved due to an organization’s stance on an issue. Our comment policy and limitations are restricted to vulgar language, hate language, and attacks on individuals, as well as spam.

However, our concerns for Juana are not just limited to the lack of proper reproductive health services, but also due to the fact that law enforcement have the discretion to just give a ticket or arrest an individual if one drives without a license. Most officers will tend to just give a ticket. She has legitimate reasons to suspect that her arrest was due to her background.

By: Jose castro

Jose castro — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 19:11:49 +0000

I want to tell thank to all those people that make solidarity with Mrs Juana Villegas and to invite them to that are in alert for all the violation of human rights in Tennessee promoted by the Sheriffe of davidson County Nashville City
There are many cases of immigrants in the jail that expects for audience in the time courts
and that the legal time passes of its right to that I/you? thay are ventilated its cases I am a jurnalist that I work for radio station in Spanish WMGC810AM with the Talk Show Interest point Sundays time between 10am to 12pm and
The Sabrosita Radio where constantly we are informing tho the community of their rights and sharing with the organization that you/they are in the deefense of their rights.
Sinceraly Jose

By: Joanne Sanchez

Joanne Sanchez — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 16:05:22 +0000

Where does the responsibility of the mother, Juana, come into play. She is here illegally and she probably knew the consequences of driving without a license. The 287g plan implemented by the Sheriff’s Department had been in effect for over one year. I believe if she really cared about her baby, she would not have been driving. Why lay the blame on law enforcement? It is an easy way out to blame others for one’s mistakes and carelessness and disregard for the law. Maybe this woman can explain to her child in a few years why she decided to drive without a license and be in a country illegally. I hope that the baby and mother are OK. It is my understanding that Law Enforcement is in the process of getting an Immigration Judge for Nashville to give those being deported Due Process. I bet this will not be posted because of its content. That just goes to show you….

By: Juana Villegas Update « Nuestra Vida, Nuestra Voz

Juana Villegas Update « Nuestra Vida, Nuestra Voz — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:46:38 +0000

[...] 25, 2008 by nlirh We have received a number of responses from folks who are concerned for Juana or were touched by her case. Unfortunately, Juana is not the first to be treated in this horrible [...]

By: patty

patty — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:01:59 +0000

I very indignated by this action by the American Citizens “Police and ICE Force”
I thought this type of actions did not occurred in the United States of America.
Maybe in our countries people do bad things and Juana Villegas tried to scape from this type of treatment but found a worst pay here.
I heard some Guy by the name of Timothy was the officer that took her into custody.
He could at least taken her car and sent her back to the clinic where she was being treated, or let her call someone to pick her up. (she was 9 month pregnanat COME ON)

Is hard to believe that this country has these type of employees in their Governemntal institutions.

She came looking from freedom and found herself shakled to a delivery bed… WOW
Not even in MEXICO A CASE LIKE THIS HAS HAPPENED.
Maybe we should go back and have our kids in our countries for a better treatment. Freedom is very costly now days.

By: Cesarina

Cesarina — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:40:16 +0000

Hi Cristina and Marilyn, Thanks for the comments and concerns. After quickly looking over the coverage so far on DeLaPaz's case, I can't find specific organizations in Nashville, or Tennessee in general, that is helping her. I've seen references to Latino leaders and advocates who seem to be helping her or speaking about the case, but affiliations have not been named. According to Tim A. Chavez from Political Salsa, Shu Ohno, Director of Communications for the Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition, sent out an appeal last week to 150 immigrant advocates nationwide. He also offered his media contacts. We will continue to monitor the story and link any additional information.

By: Marilyn Crawford

Marilyn Crawford — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 22:43:23 +0000

I, too, would like to know your suggestions for bringing this inhumane treatment of ANY human being in this manner to the greater public.

By: Cristina

Cristina — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:28:47 +0000

Can you please help me find a organization that is helping this woman.

I live very far away (Las Vegas) and wish that I could help somehow.

Thanks