- Germann Gramajo-Barrios, a Conesville, Iowa resident, has been given 30 days before deportation to Guatemala.
- Gramajo-Barrios was given the option of immediate deportation or 30 days to prepare during a check-in with ICE.
- This 30-day option contrasts with the recent case of Pascual Pedro, who was deported without a similar opportunity.
A Conesville man has been given a 30-day warning before he’s deported to his home country of Guatemala.
Germann Gramajo-Barrios was escorted to a check-in with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement by Escucha Mi Voz on Wednesday, July 9.
He was given two options when he arrived in Cedar Rapids, according to several people familiar with the check-in. He could be arrested and deported during his check-in, or take 30 days to close bank accounts, gather belongings, and say “goodbye” to friends and family before being deported.
Gramajo-Barrios chose to take the additional 30 days before he is deported back to Guatemala.
Gramajo-Barrios lives in Conesville, a small farm town north of Columbus Junction in southeast Iowa. He works as a painter and construction worker, Escucha Mi Voz organizers said. Gramajo-Barrios was not immediately available for additional comment on his visit.
Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen
Iowa resident’s wife delivered ICE notice
Gramajo-Barrios’ wife was hand-delivered a notice by an immigration enforcement official in June, which said ICE is “making a demand upon you to deliver the alien” to Cedar Rapids on July 9. A box checked on the letter noted that Gramajo-Barrios’ visit was for an “interview,” not a “removal.”
It was unclear why Gramajo-Barrios was offered the additional 30-day stay.
David Goodner, Escucha Mi Voz co-director, said Pascual Pedro, the 20-year-old with no criminal record deported to Guatemala over the Fourth of July weekend, was not given the same choice at his June 30 check-in.
Pedro was under a supervision order that allowed immigration officials to deport him “at their whim,” his attorney, Tim Farmer, said.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokespeople did not immediately respond to a request for further clarification about Gramajo-Barrios’ 30-day warning.
Stay in the know with stories that matter — visit HolaAmericaNews.com for the latest news, culture, and community updates
Facebook Comments