El Paso bishop visits Mexican journalist detained by ICE

It’s been more than a month since Mexican journalist Emilio Gutierrez Soto was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, better known as ICE. Gutierrez Soto asked for asylum back in 2008 and it was just this last year his request was denied, now he’s in custody awaiting deportation.

Gutierrez Soto spent more than an hour today speaking with his lawyer and Bishop Seitz.
The journalist and his son have been in custody since December seventh and the bishop told ABC-7 they’re frustrated.

Gutierrez Soto entered the US almost eight years ago asking for asylum, saying his writing had put a target on his back by corrupt military elements in Mexico. He and his son lived in Las Cruces while their asylum case went through and they were taken into custody after it was denied last year. His attorney managed to file a stay of deportation, but now the matter rests in the hands of the court.

“The appeal has been reinstated, it’s pending before the board of immigration appeals in Virginia. The case is being reviewed and we are going to be writing a brief, we are waiting for a scheduling brief,” said Eduardo Beckett, Gutierrez Soto’s lawyer

Beckett said the case will only be written and won’t have hearings. He expects it can last around five months.