Sobbing girl, 13, films as undocumented dad arrested
- 7 years ago
LOS ANGELES — A teenage girl burst into tears last week when she was forced to watch her undocumented father being arrested as he gave her a ride to school.
Fatima Avelica, 13, began filming on her cellphone when Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents pounced on her dad in Los Angeles last Tuesday.
Fatima’s father Romulo Avelica-Gonzalez, 48, had just dropped one of his four daughters off at school when he was pulled over by the feds, CNN reported.
Fatima and her mother watched on in horror as he was arrested and taken away.
According to immigration officials, Fatima’s dad has a criminal record that includes a 2009 conviction for driving under the influence. He was also subject to an outstanding order of removal, dating back to 2014.
A lawyer for the Avelica family is now attempting to file paperwork for a U visa, which would allow Fatima’s dad to stay in the country.
Fatima Avelica, 13, began filming on her cellphone when Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents pounced on her dad in Los Angeles last Tuesday.
Fatima’s father Romulo Avelica-Gonzalez, 48, had just dropped one of his four daughters off at school when he was pulled over by the feds, CNN reported.
Fatima and her mother watched on in horror as he was arrested and taken away.
According to immigration officials, Fatima’s dad has a criminal record that includes a 2009 conviction for driving under the influence. He was also subject to an outstanding order of removal, dating back to 2014.
A lawyer for the Avelica family is now attempting to file paperwork for a U visa, which would allow Fatima’s dad to stay in the country.