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 News Around the Republic of Mexico | September 2007 
Critics: Deported Activist Is Exploiting Son
 CBS
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| | Immigration activist Elvira Arellano hugs her US-born son Saul, 8, upon his arrival to Mexico at the International Airport in Mexico City last month. The boy has become a star attraction at pro-immigration events since his mother took refuge in a Chicago church before she was deported to Mexico. But now, even some inside the immigration movement are questioning whether Saul Arellano is being exploited. (AP/Marco Ugarte) |
The 8-year-old son of deported immigrant activist Elvira Arellano is in high demand at rallies, but some critics worry he is being exploited.
Saul Arellano has been appearing at rallies ever since his mother took refuge in a church in the Los Angeles' Humboldt Park neighborhood this year.
Anti-illegal immigrant groups have long accused Elvira Arellano and immigration activists of exploiting Saul in their pursuit of reform.
Armando Navarro of the National Alliance for Human Rights in Southern California says Saul's attendance at immigration rallies is almost like an act of desperation.
Elvira Arellano, 32, remained holed up in the church for a year, but when she went to Los Angeles to campaign for immigration reform, she was arrested and deported to Mexico.
Saul was born in the United States and is a citizen.
Arellano came to Washington state illegally in 1997. She was deported to Mexico shortly after, but returned and moved to Illinois in 2000, taking a job cleaning planes at O'Hare International Airport.
Since being deported, Arellano has asked the Mexican government to make her an ambassador so she could return to the U.S.
The Mexican government sought a visa, which angered Arellano.
"I'm not asking for any visa," she said last week. "I want a diplomatic post as ambassador of peace and justice, and I won't accept anything less."
On Thursday, advocates planned pro-immigrant demonstrations in communities across the nation. The boy's mother said Saul may be part of a vigil in Washington.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. |
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