Dolores Bustamante says she is nervous today, more than usual.
Bustamante, an undocumented farm worker from Wayne County, has had to appear for many hearings since she was pulled over by State Police in December of 2014 for a minor traffic violation. She was found to be driving without a license and then turned over to immigration authorities.
“I don’t have any kind of criminal charge,” says Bustamante.
“I hope to able to rely on the law because I am not doing any harm to this country. I am a farm worker. The only thing I did was work and support my family.”
Today, supporters of Bustamante along with members of the Workers Justice Center based in Syracuse, gathered in front of the Buffalo Federal Detention Center on Federal drive to rally around Bustamante before her trial and removal hearing.
According to Bustamante’s attorney Jose Perez, the Judge will most likely make a decision from the bench today.
“We will be arguing asylum in Dolores’ case based on domestic violence and gun violence,” says Perez.
Bustamante has been in the country for about 15 years. She escaped Mexico with her then 3 year old daughter who is now 18 and about to graduate from High School and is here under DACA.
“In my case I was escaping a domestic violence relationship with the father of my children. I had no other choice but to come to this country, leaving my family behind and starting another life with another culture and another language and alone.”
Bustamante says she would like to stay here because things have become very dangerous in Mexico.
“My son was also here in Florida and he was deported and was killed in September. He was there a couple of years and in September they kidnapped him and killed him.”
She says the pain of not being able to go to her son’s funeral is there everyday.
When asked why she wants to stay, Bustamante says because her daughter is here.
“She has been here partially her whole life, she is a young woman who never had any problems since we arrived. She is very studious and always trying to help us achieve and get ahead.”
Bustamante’s Attorney says even if they receive a deportation order today Dolores is not going anywhere anytime soon.
He says he plans to appeal the case if that decision is made today.
The trial is expected to last until this afternoon.
UPDATE
According to Bustamante’s attorney Jose Perez, she was ordered to leave the United States today.
Perez says that Bustemante has decided to appeal the decision and it will now move to the Board of Immigration Appeals Court in Virginia.
Bustamante will remain free during the appeals process, which could take up to a year.