9NEWS’ Kyle Clark reports on a fascinating development in a story that attracted much attention at the close of this year’s legislative session in Colorado–a prison inmate named Rene Lima-Marin who was mistakenly released early and then re-incarcerated, prompting a bipartisan push from legislators to win his freedom.
Apparently, no one expected what came next:
Rene Lima-Marin is now in the custody of Immigrations and Customs Agents who – years ago – had flagged him for deportation. Lima-Marin’s immigration status and possible deportation were not known to the judge who freed him, the state legislators who rallied to his cause, or the public which was implored to support his release.
Lima Marin’s advocates say he was brought to the US as a child fleeing Cuba. Cubans special status in the U.S. meant he wasn’t at risk for deportation, until he became a convicted felon in 2000. ICE flagged him for possible deportation at that time.
The ruling this week by Judge Carlos Samour did not mention Lima-Marin’s immigration status. A court spokesman confirms the Judge didn’t know he was freeing a man into the hands of ICE agents. He found out on Wednesday.
Fascinatingly, none of the politicians in either party who championed Lima-Marin’s release from prison were aware that, as a Cuban immigrant, he could be deported for his crime despite having been granted permission to remain in the country upon entry as a Cuban immigrant.
A bill in support of Lima Marin had broad bi-partisan support at the state legislature. We talked to two Democratic sponsors – Rep. Joe Salazar and Sen. Dominick Moreno – who said they did not know Lima Marin was flagged for deportation – but that wouldn’t have changed their stance. We haven’t heard back from Republican sponsors – Rep. Dave Williams and Sen. Owen Hill.
Late last night, GOP Rep. Dave Williams, who gained nationwide notoriety for his controversial failed legislation to punish so-called “sanctuary cities” this year, did respond to the news:
I’m committed to ensuring that Rene is not sent back to a communist country that is ruled by a cruel and repressive regime. I will still do everything I can to help reunite Rene with his family while respecting the rule of law.
To which we can only say, thank goodness the guy’s from Cuba! Because otherwise he’d just be a noncitizen who committed a felony–exactly the kind of person President Donald Trump wants to deport. We’ll be very interested in seeing other Republicans who championed Lima-Marin’s freedom speak out–not least since their greater pull with the Republican administration in Washington could prove much more influential on this man’s behalf than Rep. Joe Salazar and a bunch of state house Democrats.
Whatever local Republicans do next, it’s a very straightforward question now whether they would have voted overwhelmingly to support Rene Lima-Marin’s release if they had known ICE would be waiting to pick him up. Freshman Rep. Williams may be willing to quietly munch on his crow, but we have trouble believing that will be a unanimous response from the GOP caucus.
Not to mention the soul searching. There really ought to be some soul searching.
Sanctuary and citizenship for a (possibly right-wing) Cuban illegal immigrant?
GOP: See! See! See! …Um, what’s that?… Oh, ok, sorry — Si! Si! Si!
Anyone from anywhere else where folks are brown or black, and not potentially right-wing?
GOP: Nyet, comrade. Nyet, nyet, a thousand times, nyet!
It's no more horrifically inconsistent or outrageously, shamelessly hypocritical than anything else these amoral mutts do. Clearly, their “compassion” is as self-serving and selective as their “outrage” and “umbrage.”
Wrong. They didn't know. You're just playing political games.
It sounds like he wasn't honest with the people who tried to help him. If an immigrant legal or not commits a crime they should be deported. Rep. Williams is mistaken in this case, but you can't criticize his motive without being hypocrites yourselves. Either way it's not Republicans fault this happened.
Using your logic we'd have to deport FLOTUS (although she might see it as a favor)
To the first charge, of having used logic, the court finds the (miserable, sorry-ass) defendant, not guilty — by reason of total nincompacity
Melania Trump committed a felony? When did that happen?
Read the article Michael Bowman posted, dummy.
I'll start with your own words, Moldy, to make it easier for you.
From the article you were given:
The crux of the Trump legal arguments before the courts (An 'immaterial' error on a form is enough to see an entire citizenship application refused, according to a Justice Department lawyer):
Nobody here thinks Melania is going to be deported. There are rules for the haves and another set for the have nots. If you'd stop your proliferation of the word hypocrisy in your posts it wouldn't be nearly as entertaining pushing back on your dumbery.
So Moldy said "commits a crime," and didn't qualify it as having to be a felony.
And by the way Moldy, where is Unnamed's ACA article.
Was there a conviction? And how can you say this is as bad as the ROBBERIES committed by this criminal immigrant? It's insane!
Fluffy…the article….c'mon, we are all waiting …..
Comerade Moldy you Putin loyalist. Still waiting for my ACA article and explanation from you for why it was Right for Rump to dish on Israel to Russia. Credible sources only.
I know. Just giving our favorite American traitor a chance to prove that he doesn't have a dumb mind.
Let me add my name to the list of those calling for Moderatus to provide the ACA article you keep requesting. C'mon, Fluffy…get busy and git'er' done, son.
Enjoy your police state, Moddy, until they come for you.
What is it with so-called liberty loving Repubs and their love of authoritarianism? Seems contradictory to me.
Not contradictory at all. Wealthy Republicans should be free to exercise authority over the life and liberty of the remaining 90% of Americans. Some folks are more equal than others, right?