Immigration activists rally in front of the Metropolitan Detention Center in LA

October 19, 9:45 PMLA Border and Immigration ExaminerAurelia Fierros

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Elvira Ayon, surrounded by immigration advocates on  a rally held in front of the Metropolitan Detention Center in L.A. October 19, 2009. Image is a screenshot of a Univision broadcast. 

The Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles was the site chosen by California and Arizona activists to demonstrate Monday against the Department of Homeland Security’s “Operation Streamline,” program under which, undocumented immigrants can be incarcerated prior to deportation.

In the rally were also present victims of immigration raids whose status was already in process of legalization, as the case of Elvira Ayon, who despite being protected under the Violence Against Women Act – VAWA, was arrested and remained under custody for three weeks, away from her two small children.

Ayon said that in jail she suffered physical and psychological torture through mistreatment and due to the anguish of not knowing the location of her children. The young mother added that she refused to sign a document agreeing to voluntary deportation, since she was aware she was protected under DHS’s VAWA program.

Additionally, Arizona participants denounced irregularities in the cases of the aliens processed in the courts of Pima County.