Dexter, Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici Press ICE to Release Portland Mother After Court Clears Her Case

PORTLAND, OR- Today, Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, M.D. (OR-03) led a letter with Senators Ron Wyden, Jeff Merkley, and Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) calling on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to immediately release Jackie Merlos, a Portland mother who remains detained at the Northwest ICE Processing Center (NWIPC) despite an immigration judge terminating her removal proceedings.

"Ms. Merlos holds U-Deferred Action status, a valid work permit through 2029, and has not been charged with a crime. To date, the Department of Homeland Security has not provided us with any explanation for why she was detained for so long by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and why she is still being held at NWIPC by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)," the lawmakers wrote.

The lawmakers emphasized that in addition to the court's decision to terminate her case, more than thirty community members have written in support of Jackie Merlos. The letters of support come from friends, employers, pastors, and nonprofit leaders, describing her as a "generous, deeply respected, hardworking, small business owner, who is devoted to her church congregation, neighbors, and family."

The lawmakers demanded ICE immediately reunite Jackie with her young children. Read the entire letter here.

Jackie Merlos is a Portland mother and small business owner who was disappeared and detained by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) with her four U.S. citizen children after a visit to Peace Arch Park last summer. After learning of Jackie and her children's detention, Dexter personally drove to Washington State to demand their release. Dexter worked with Senators Wyden and Merkley to secure an emergency court order halting her deportation, allowing her children to be released and Jackie access to legal counsel.

Last month, Dexter spotlighted the Merlos family's story in a congressional shadow hearing titled Kidnapped and Disappeared: Trump's Assault Destroys U.S. Families and Communities.

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