June
20, 2004
Loretta Schloerb
Re:
Matter of Barrios-Castilla
Dear Ms. Schloerb:
I
have just received a copy of the letter of complaint
that you sent to the Executive Office of Immigration
Review (EOIR) regarding this case. As an initial matter,
I am very pleased that you perceive yourself as having
been well treated and well served by our employees in
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). I appreciate
your belief that the attorneys who work under my
direction have handled this matter conscientiously and
professionally. Their efforts in this matter exemplify
the concern that these cases have for us and the reason
Assistant Secretary Michael Garcia launched the Predator
Initiative. We in ICE believe that removing aliens who
prey on children is a significant part of our mission in
the Department of Homeland Security and we have
committed significant resources and time to achieving
this result.
I
read your letters with tears in my eyes. I empathize
with you because I am a father and a grandfather. I am
shocked that people can even commit these kinds of
crimes. I cannot conceive the pain this behavior causes
to children and parents. I share your very well stated
concern that these offenders cause harm not only if they
repeat the conduct but also simply if they remain here
in this country. A victimized child should not live in
fear and dread of a chance an encounter with someone who
has violated her.
I
also want to sincerely thank you and your daughters for
being willing to testify and for suffering through this
traumatic ordeal. ICE lawyers make every effort to give
victims and their parents the opportunity to correctly
present the facts because a violator often tries to
minimize his crime. It is also important that you are
able to share with the court that these violations have
lifetime consequences to the victims and to your
families. I’m pleased to say that this testimony often
sways the Immigration Judge and the Board of Immigration
Appeals to assist us in getting removal orders. I’m
very sorry that it hasn’t succeeded, so far, in this
particular matter. We believe the present result is
unjust and we hope our appeal changes that decision.
I’m
writing this letter to personally express my sorrow for
the difficulties you encountered; difficulties beyond
what anyone should suffer and certainly beyond what we
expected when we presented you and your daughters for
testimony. We would win a lot fewer cases if it weren’t
for people such as you who willing testify and persist
in coming to court in spite of how emotionally difficult
it is to you. In that event, the bad guys would win and
remain here with the potential to do harm to other young
children. Thank you for doing this on behalf of the
children we all desire to protect!
Sincerely,
William B. Odencrantz
Director, Field Legal Operations
