By JOHN LESLIE
Immigrant Justice activists and their allies are demanding the release of Catalina “Xóchitl” Santiago, a respected community organizer and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient. Xóchitl was seized by Border Patrol agents at the El Paso airport on Sunday, Aug. 3, while she was traveling for work. Agents disregarded her legal status under DACA and placed her in detention. DACA recipients are supposed to be both authorized to work and protected from deportation.
The government has falsely claimed that Xóchitl was picked up because of criminal charges from 2020. Her attorney, Norma Islas, has issued a statement refuting this allegation, which points out: “Despite repeated false claims by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to the public, media, and members of Congress about pending criminal charges, none exist.”
DHS and the FBI are constantly making up and framing Black and Brown people for crimes. The Trump administration continues to peddle the lie that Kilmar Abrego-Garcia is an “MS-13 member,” despite no evidence other than a meaningless “gang checklist” and the word of a crooked cop’s informant. Mahmoud Khalil, Rumeysa Ozturk, and others faced ICE arrest purely because they advocated for Palestine. In virtually every press release with immigration arrest statistics, ICE purposefully hides and obfuscates criminal charges. The most up-to-date statistics show that the vast majority of immigrants picked up by the Feds since Trump took office have been accused of no crimes, other than “breaking” immigration laws.
Xóchitl was born in Mexico and came to the U.S. as the child of farmworkers. As an adult, she has dedicated herself to winning equal rights and dignity for immigrant workers and their families, organizing in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. Most recently, Catalina has been working in El Paso, helping women in the community through La Mujer Obrera. At a vigil organized by supporters in Philadelphia, a friend and fellow organizer, Evan Feldberg-Bannatyne, talked about their work fighting for the right of immigrant workers to obtain drivers licenses. Supporters in Philadelphia, Chicago, and El Paso held vigils demanding Santiago’s release, with more planned in other cities.
At the Philadelphia vigil, a friend, Frangi Pozo, read a message from Xóchitl: “Today marks one week of not being able to see the sunset every evening, of not being able to feel the warmth of the land, of not being able to sprout seeds or hear the elders and children laugh. It has been a week full of histories of strife rooted in forced immigration and to come face-to-face with the criminalization of the immigrant. Getting to see the guts of the for-profit prison system that scrutinizes every move we make, that locks us far away from our loved ones. Where the lights are on day and night. Where every evening dinner is a frozen ham and cheese sandwich, crackers, and orange juice.” Catalina goes on to describe medical neglect of pregnant women, racist and homophobic behavior of guards, and inhuman living conditions.
The National Network for the Rights of Immigrants and Refugees (NNIRR) stated:
“This is not an isolated incident. Catalina is part of a worrying and growing trend in which immigrants with legal residence are detained without cause, which constitutes a violation of their rights and a direct threat to community leadership.
“Catalina is a pillar of her community: a talented narrator, a passionate advocate and a tireless advocate for women, the elderly and children. Educates young people about plant medicine and environmental management, grows community gardens and sows knowledge, hope and resilience wherever she goes. Their detention is not only unfair, but a flagrant abuse of power against those who seek and build justice in their communities.”
What you can do:
- Spread the word about Catalina’s case in your union, community organization, or campus organization. Ask them to issue resolutions demanding her freedom now.
- Follow the Free Cata “Xóchitl” Santiago Now!Instagram page for updates and actions.
- Sign the petition, Free Xóchitl! Community Organizer and DACA Recipient Detained at Texas Airport
- Donate to Free Xóchitl: Support DACA recipient detained by ICE
It’s clear that Catalina “Xóchitl” Santiago has been targeted as a challenge to DACA and as a threat to immigrant rights organizers from the racist Trump regime. The entire Immigrant Justice movement must stand up with one voice and say Free Xóchitl! Free all detainees immediately! Stop the racist ICE raids! Abolish ICE, Trump’s political police.
