Other’s Fiancé Has Hearing Monday Congressmen’s Visits Buoy Spirits with Pledges of Support.
Washington, DC – With national attention building, hunger strikers are driving calls to immigration officials on behalf of their loved ones in detention during an eventful week related to their cases. Immigration officials gave Jaime Valdez, son of White House hunger striker Jose Valdez, another month to appeal his case yesterday, prompting supporters to call for his release from detention to manage the appeals process from outside.
Ardani Rosales, fiancé of White House hunger striker Naira Zapata, prepares for a Monday hearing, his first since being detained after presenting himself at the Nogales, Arizona port of entry. Meanwhile, Cynthia Diaz has yet to hear the results of her mother, Maria del Rosario’s, latest interview with officials.
Jose, Naira, and Cynthia announced the start this past Tuesday to a hunger striker where they will abstain from eating in hopes of bringing attention to their loved ones’ cases, seeing to their release, and inspiring the President to end the delay in upcoming administrative relief. Having received an outpouring of support and with the cases of their loved ones progressing, they are strengthened and determined to continue.
This week they’ve received visits from Reps Gutierrez and Grijalva and pledges of support from more than a dozen other members of Congress. Yesterday they spoke at the presentation of the #Not1More Blue Ribbon Commission’s recommendations to the President during his deportation review.
This Thursday 40 Arizonans, the majority of whom, have their own deportation sagas will embark home on a three day bus ride to continue advocating for the strikers and their families in their home districts after a week of advocacy and appeals in Washington.
