| IMMIGRATION DARK SECRETS NEED TO SEE THE LIGHT |
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On cursory glance, the plight of one immigrant seems to have little bearing on the issues of others in a similar predicament. It's the methods used to ensure the issue remains out of the public spotlight that drives Arianna Mathew to work harder at focusing the public's attention on the situations of immigrants like that of her husband, Alex, himself currently detained in the U.S. prison system.
On cursory glance, the plight of one immigrant seems to have little bearing on the issues of others in a similar predicament. It's the methods used to ensure the issue remains out of the public spotlight that drives Arianna Mathew to work harder at focusing the public's attention on the situations of immigrants like that of her husband, Alex, himself currently detained in the U.S. prison system. For the last four months, Mathew's has been working to secure information about the detention of her husband, who remains incarcerated in Suffolk County Prison, which was itself the object of a recent news broadcast alleging inadequate facilities and inappropriate treatment of inmates. As she has discovered during this process, immigrants in the court system may not be allotted the same rights as those of natural-born American citizens. "American citizens do not become aware of how the U.S. government operates its immigration court system until situations like these happen to them - if an American citizen was detained in prison for an administrative/civil hearing, the outcome would be a far cry from ours," stated Arianna. Alex has been held by U.S. Immigration without legal, certified proof of the government's accusations since May. Hearings since the detention began have reflected a state unprepared to produce documents confirming allegations, and the residing judge has provided continuances despite the insistence of the accused to move forward with prosecution or acquittal. The concern of the defendant rests with ensuring his basic civil and human rights are not being compromised and that he receives due process, although Arianna, when visiting Alex Sunday evening, found Alex shackled and chained at the hands and ankles under administrative segregation - a 23-hour-a-day forced seclusion. When questioned, even the guards did not find any notation in the prison's computer system to support such high-level incarceration. Mathews' attorneys have written several letters without response. Through his movement to four separate facilities in just under three months, the Mathews, both small business owners, continue to find local, federal and immigration officials and representatives unresponsive. According to accounts of the Mathews, the prosecutor, Bill Richards, has appeared unprepared and clearly frustrated about being unable to produce legal certified documents requested by the judge to support the prosecution's case. Despite deadlines established by the judge, fully more than two months later, the dates have passed and still the prosecution has been unable to produce the necessary documents. The public is urged to attend the Thursday, August 31 hearing at 1:00 p.m. at the JFK building in Boston, Mass. to demonstrate support. MEDIA: Since Alex is himself unable to advocate his rights by virtue of his incarceration, Arianna is working to bring media attention to this matter. Herself a U.S.-born citizen, Arianna and Alex have a 19-month old U.S.-born son. Press conference is scheduled for Monday, September 4, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. at the immigration office in Providence on Dyer Street. For more information, e-mail This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
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| Last Updated ( Sunday, 10 December 2006 ) | ||||
