Long Island Father Sues U.S. Customs and Border Protection

John Mitty Saturday, March 16, 2013

Long Island resident Leonel Ruiz is suing the U.S. Customs and Border Protection on the behalf of his daughter, Emily Ruiz, who was deported to Guatemala and separated from her family two years ago.  She was returned within three weeks, but her family members now say that she suffered “significant psychological harm” as a result of the three week separation.  Emily now suffers from post traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, and other psychological issues. 

How did Emily get deported and split up from her family?  The girl and her grandfather were returning from a trip to Guatemala when their plane was diverted to Dulles Airport in Washington D.C.instead of Kennedy Airport on Long Island as a result of weather.  Even though her grandfather had a valid work permit, he was detained for past infractions. 

Emily was locked in a detention room for twenty hours without food or drink, and then sent back to Guatemala on an airplane when it was learned her father was an illegal immigrant.  She was four years old.  They told her (incorrectly) that she would be put up for adoption.  The family’s lawyer was able to retrieve her several weeks later, but not before she had been thoroughly traumatized by her experience.  This is just one of ten recent cases filed against the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. 

jmitty@longislandyellowpages.com

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