Latest news with #UVisa
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Marjorie Taylor Greene: Teen Detained By ICE After Mistaken Arrest Would Be 'Thriving In Mexico'
A Georgia teen who was arrested earlier this month after being mistakenly pulled over at a traffic stop was released from Immigrations and Customs Enforcement custody on Thursday. In an interview the same day, Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene suggested that the young woman, who is undocumented, should be deported. 'My life won't be the same,' Ximena Arias-Cristobal, 19, told NBC affiliate WXIA-TV, reflecting on her time at Stewart Detention Center. 'I think it's changed me as a person, like I said, I guess be more humble, understand people more and just be able to see the people around you.' She was arrested earlier this month on charges of driving without a valid driver's license and for making a right turn on red, but those charges were dropped after the Dalton Police said dash cam footage showed they pulled her over by mistake. However, the police's mistake landed her in ICE custody. Arias-Cristobal came to the United States from Mexico when she was 4 and was a student at Dalton State College at the time of her arrest. Her mother told WXIA that her daughter was not eligible for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, an Obama-era program that provides certain undocumented immigrants who arrived in the U.S. as children with work authorizations and temporary protection from deportation. Being detained at Stewart is 'something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy,' the 19-year-old told the news outlet. 'It's the conditions and the unknown, it's not knowing what's going to happen to me, knowing that I could be sent back to a country that I don't know, having to be torn apart from my family,' she told the outlet. 'It's also the conditions — you don't get much privacy, you get screamed at for every little thing, the food is horrible, they don't pay attention to you, you get sick and they don't care.' Dustin Baxter, Arias-Cristobal's attorney, told the outlet it's possible that if they could show his client's arrest was the result of profiling, she could qualify for a 'U Visa,' meant for victims of certain crimes. Meanwhile, Rep. Greene suggested in an interview with Tennessee-based news outlet WCRB that Arias-Cristobal should be deported. 'The law is the law, and we don't get to pick and choose who gets to break the law and who gets to follow the law,' the MAGA Republican said. 'It's important for us to uphold the law, and that's the most important thing that we can do and our government can do.' Greene said Arias-Cristobal grew up in a 'great area' and received a 'great education' in the U.S. and would be 'thriving in Mexico' if sent back. 'In Mexico today, there's over 1.6 million United States of America (sic) citizens living and thriving in Mexico, and I'm sure she and her family will be able to do the same,' she stated. The lawmaker blamed Arias-Cristobal's parents for her situation, claiming they never pursued 'a path to citizenship when they illegally brought her into the country when she was a young child.' Stewart's father, who was also detained at Stewart after being arrested for a traffic violation, is in the process of applying for a 'cancellation of removal,' Baxter told WXIA. Because her father is a 'person of good moral character,' has been in the U.S. for more than 10 years, and has children who are citizens, he would be 'granted permanent resident status' if he wins his case, the attorney said. If her father becomes a permanent resident, Arias-Cristobal would then have a 'qualifying relative' that could allow her to become a permanent resident as well, he added. Teen Remains In ICE Detention Despite Police Admitting To Pulling Her Over By Mistake Marjorie Taylor Greene Declines To Challenge Jon Ossoff In Georgia Senate Race Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp Won't Run For Senate In Blow To GOP
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Marjorie Taylor Greene: Teen Detained By ICE After Mistaken Arrest Would Be 'Thriving In Mexico'
The Georgia teen arrested earlier this month after being mistakenly pulled over at a traffic stop was released from Immigrations and Customs Enforcement custody on Thursday. In an interview the same day, Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene suggested that the young woman, who is undocumented, should be deported. 'My life won't be the same,' Ximena Arias-Cristobal, 19, told NBC affiliate WXIA-TV, reflecting on her time at Stewart Detention Center. 'I think it's changed me as a person, like I said, I guess be more humble, understand people more and just be able to see the people around you.' She was arrested earlier this month on charges of driving without a valid driver's license and for making a right turn on red, but those charges were dropped after the Dalton Police said dash cam footage showed they pulled her over by mistake. However, the police's mistake landed her in ICE custody. Arias-Cristobal came to the United States from Mexico when she was 4 and was a student at Dalton State College at the time of her arrest. Her mother told WXIA that her daughter was not eligible for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, an Obama-era program that provides certain undocumented immigrants who arrived in the U.S. as children with work authorizations and temporary protection from deportation. Being detained at Stewart is 'something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy,' the 19-year-old told the news outlet. 'It's the conditions and the unknown, it's not knowing what's going to happen to me, knowing that I could be sent back to a country that I don't know, having to be torn apart from my family,' she told the outlet. 'It's also the conditions — you don't get much privacy, you get screamed at for every little thing, the food is horrible, they don't pay attention to you, you get sick and they don't care.' Dustin Baxter, Arias-Cristobal's attorney, told the outlet it's possible that if they could show his client's arrest was the result of profiling, she could qualify for a 'U Visa,' meant for victims of certain crimes. Meanwhile, Rep. Greene suggested in an interview with Tennessee-based news outlet WCRB that Arias-Cristobal should be deported. 'The law is the law, and we don't get to pick and choose who gets to break the law and who gets to follow the law,' the MAGA Republican said. 'It's important for us to uphold the law, and that's the most important thing that we can do and our government can do.' Greene said Arias-Cristobal grew up in a 'great area' and received a 'great education' in the U.S. and would be 'thriving in Mexico' if sent back. 'In Mexico today, there's over 1.6 million United States of America (sic) citizens living and thriving in Mexico, and I'm sure she and her family will be able to do the same,' she stated. The lawmaker blamed Arias-Cristobal's parents for her situation, claiming they never pursued 'a path to citizenship when they illegally brought her into the country when she was a young child.' Stewart's father, who was also detained at Stewart after being arrested for a traffic violation, is in the process of applying for a 'cancellation of removal,' Baxter told WXIA. Because her father is a 'person of good moral character,' has been in the U.S. for more than 10 years, and has children who are citizens, he would be 'granted permanent resident status' if he wins his case, the attorney said. If her father becomes a permanent resident, Arias-Cristobal would then have a 'qualifying relative' that could allow her to become a permanent resident as well, he added. Teen Remains In ICE Detention Despite Police Admitting To Pulling Her Over By Mistake Marjorie Taylor Greene Declines To Challenge Jon Ossoff In Georgia Senate Race Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp Won't Run For Senate In Blow To GOP
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Time of India
What is U visa? How Indian-origin Rambhai Patel staged 'armed robberies' for this visa fraud in New York
Indian-origin man Rambhai Patel pleaded guilty in U Visa scam. If someone becomes a victim of certain crimes during their stay in the US and then helps law enforcement in the investigation process, they are eligible to get the U visa -- after all cross checks and verifications. As an Indian-origin man, Rambhai Patel, recently pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud, the entire modus operandi has now come out. The 37-year-old Indian man residing in New York used to stage armed robberies at restaurants so that the restaurant staff could claim a U Visa. In return, Rambhai Patel got hefty money from the staged victims. On May 22, Patel pleaded guilty. He was charged in December 2023 along with a co-conspirator. Patel will be sentenced on August 20. The charge of conspiracy to commit visa fraud provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. And Patel will be deported after the completion of any sentence imposed. How was the U visa fraud orchestrated According to the documents of the Justice Department, Patel and his alleged co-conspirator started these staged robberies in March 2023. All of these were armed robberies to qualify for the visa requirements. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Bremen: GEERS sucht 700 Testhörer für Hörgeräte ohne Zuzahlung GEERS Undo They robbed at least nine convenience/liquor stores and fast-food restaurants across the US -- including at least five in Massachusetts. The purpose of the staged robberies was to allow the store clerks to claim that they were victims of a violent crime on an application for U nonimmigrant status which is available to victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and who have been helpful to law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity. In the staged robbery, the fake robber used to threaten the store staff with a firearm before taking cash from the register and fled. The entire action had to be done in front of a surveillance camera so that there would be enough evidence. The restaurant owners then called the police to report the crime only when the fake robbers escaped. One fake victim paid Patel $20000 to include him in his staged robbery so that he could get a U visa. Patel then paid the store owners for the use of their stores for the robbery. At least two purported victim co-conspirators submitted U Visa applications based on being victims of the staged armed robberies. What is a U Visa? The U visa is a nonimmigrant visa in the US, specifically designed for victims of certain crimes who have suffered substantial mental or physical abuse and are willing to assist law enforcement and government officials in the investigation or prosecution of the criminal activity. It was created under the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000, which also includes the Battered Immigrant Women's Protection Act. A U visa grants temporary legal status, typically for up to 4 years, along with work authorization (via an Employment Authorization Document, or EAD). It also offers protection from deportation, which is crucial for victims assisting law enforcement.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
‘It's changed me as a person': College student detained for deportation after traffic stop speaks out
A Georgia college student who was detained by ICE after a mistaken traffic arrest has spoken out after being released from a federal detention center on Thursday night, saying the experience 'changed' her as a person. Ximena Arias-Cristobal, 19, a Dalton State student, said the ordeal was 'terrifying' while calling the ensuing outpouring of support for her a 'blessing.' "My life won't be the same," she said, according to 11Alive. "I think it's changed me as a person, like I said, I guess be more humble, understand people more, and just be able to see the people around you." Arias-Cristobal may still face deportation proceedings, however. She said that her next steps would be to find a visa or permit that would allow her to remain in the U.S. The 19-year-old has grown up in the country since her family entered illegally when she was 4 years old. Her mother previously told the local outlet that the family came to the U.S. in 2010 from Mexico, and that because of her age at the time, she was not eligible for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program when it remained in place. Arias-Cristobal was mistakenly arrested when an officer wrongly stopped her when a separate driver made a right turn at a 'no right turn on red' light, the city of Dalton said after reviewing dashcam footage. She said the dropped charges 'opens more doors for me, so we will have to see what happens there." Her lawyer, Dustin Baxter, has said that if they can prove that her arrest was because of profiling, "we may make the argument with immigration that she qualifies for a U Visa." The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services site states that such visas are handed to people who are victims of "certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and are helpful to law enforcement or government officials in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity.' Baxter added that Arias-Cristobal's father, who was detained at the same time as his daughter, is applying for 'cancellation of removal.' The attorney added that since the father has been in the country for over 10 years, has children who are citizens, and has displayed 'good moral character,' he has a case to put forward to an immigration judge. "Ximena, however, does not have any qualifying relative. She does not have a U.S. citizen spouse, parent, or child," Baxter said earlier, according to 11Alive. "What we're going to try and do is link her case to her father. So therefore, if her father is granted permanent resident status by winning his case, she would have that qualifying relative, and she would conceivably be approved for permanent residence as well." The 19-year-old described the last few weeks as a "burst of emotions — I was mad, I was confused, but most of all ... I realized that everything that was happening was a blessing in disguise.' She said the support for her, such as protests in Atlanta, has been "incredible, I would've never thought that this would've happened, the support, it's a blessing, and I'm very, very thankful for everybody that's been out here supporting me and pouring out their hearts for my family." Arias-Cristobal said she wouldn't wish her detention 'on my worst enemy.' "It's the conditions and the unknown, it's not knowing what's going to happen to me, knowing that I could be sent back to a country that I don't know, having to be torn apart from my family," she added. "It's also the conditions — you don't get much privacy, you get screamed at for every little thing, the food is horrible, they don't pay attention to you, you get sick, and they don't care." She said one of the most challenging things about her detention was not being able to speak to her father despite them being at the same facility. "It was terrifying, and it was sad at the same time because I had asked various times to speak to my father, see him, and I wasn't allowed to," she said, according to 11Alive. "More than anything, I felt a lot of pressure on my shoulder, knowing that my mom was out here on her own with two little kids, and it was very heartbreaking."
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Time of India
Indian-origin man in US admits to visa scam via fake robberies
GANDHINAGAR: At a time when the United States is tightening the visa regime and imposing visa restrictions on owners, executives, and senior officials of travel agencies based or operating in India for facilitating illegal immigration to the United States, Ram Patel (37) of Indian origin has recently pleaded guilty in a federal court in Boston to staging armed robberies as part of a visa fraud and his co-accused Balwant Singh face a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 and deportation upon completion of sentence. According to a statement issued by the District Attorney's (DA) office in Massachusetts beginning March 2023, Patel and his alleged co-conspirator Balwinder Singh (39) set up and carried out staged armed robberies of at least nine convenience/liquor stores and fast-food restaurants across the US, including at least five in purpose of the staged robberies was to allow the clerks to claim that they were victims of a violent crime on an application for U non-immigrant status (U Visa), the statement said.
