Too Bad ........... Deporting the tamale lady

Deporting the tamale lady

Will the United States send Juana Reyes back to Mexico—for selling $1 snacks outside of a south Sacramento Walmart?

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In the tamale lady’s case, deputies suspected that Reyes was in the country illegally. Which was true: Julia Vera, who’s taking on Reyes’ ICE case pro bono, told SN&R that her client has been in the country for more than 16 years, including for the birth of her two children, who attend Sacramento schools and speak English.

Reyes doesn’t have any prior entanglements with the law. But now, immigration is targeting her for deportation. For her sole transgression: Selling tamales outside of Walmart.

Hugo Vera argues that there was “implied consent” for Reyes to be at Walmart. For starters, it’s a public domain, a place where shoppers are invited to go with advertising and signage. And she’d been there for years, a familiar face to employees and security guards. He says he has testimonials from Walmart employees that vouch for Reyes.

Meanwhile, Hugo Vera also questions the sheriff deputy’s motive—especially when it comes to the alleged deportation remark made to Reyes’ son.

“How does [the deputy] even know where she’s from?” Hugo Vera asked.

Sacramento County Deputy Jason Ramos would not comment on the arresting deputy’s alleged remark. But he did explain that deputies had received three complaints from Walmart security on June 28. And they decided that her trespassing was “likely to continue,” which is why they took Reyes into custody.

“Suffice to say that arresting and booking people on misdemeanor charges is not common,” Ramos added.

That day was the first time Walmart’s security company, U.S. Securities, had contacted deputies about Reyes, but a report shows that security had asked Reyes to leave the parking lot numerous times over the previous months. “I don’t know what the straw that broke the camel’s back was,” Ramos said. “Maybe there were a lot of food vendors in the parking lot that day.”

Either way, Ramos insisted that deputies typically do not address street-side food vendors or ones on private property unless asked. “And let’s face it, if you’re familiar with that Walmart and that stretch of Florin Road, there’s no shortage of food vendors.”

After the June 28 incident, Reyes spent 13 days in downtown’s main jail on an immigration hold before being released on July 10. Her ICE court date will be scheduled in the next 30 days, but Sacramento must cover all the costs for her stay at county, approximately $100 a day.

It’s an unusual case. And, as one supporter at the rally last Wednesday noted, it’s “the kind of incident people would expect in Phoenix.”

don't break the law, get picked up and arrested .............


she was asked to leave SEVERAL Times .......

[BOP]

Her kids speak english (allegedly), but I'll bet you 10 dollars she doesn't speak a lick. I dunno about the deputies, but that'd be my first clue she was in the country illegally.

[Rommey]

Its a good thing she wasn't trying to sell lemonade on a corner...she might have needed a license then.

[bcp (Premo)]

Glad to hear about it anytime one of the animals are shipped back to their home.
its not right to try and keep pets out of their natural habitat.

I am a humanist.

[jetmonkey]

her sole transgression: Selling tamales outside of Walmart

that, and being in the country illegally

[vraiblonde]

Originally Posted by jetmonkey

that, and being in the country illegally

You beat me to it.

[chernmax]

Originally Posted by jetmonkey

that, and being in the country illegally

America should make a trade, bring her back and trade for 3 government tit suckers who refuse to work but are able too!

[vraiblonde]

Originally Posted by chernmax

America should make a trade, bring her back and trade for 3 government tit suckers who refuse to work but are able too!

Hey now! I would gladly trade tit suckers for a tamale lady.

[Bay_Kat]

Originally Posted by vraiblonde

Hey now! I would gladly trade tit suckers for a tamale lady.

So true, they can have more if they want.