In Texas, immigration officials have detained award-winning Mexican journalist Emilio Gutiérrez Soto and his son in Texas. Gutiérrez first sought asylum in the United States in 2008 after receiving death threats for reporting on alleged corruption in the Mexican military. He was detained last week after his asylum appeal was denied. He now faces deportation back to Mexico, one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists. This is Gutiérrez speaking by phone through a translator from the for-profit West Texas Detention Center in Sierra Blanca during an event Monday night at the National Press Club.
Emilio Gutiérrez Soto: “Please, please, do not forget us. Do not forget to publish the pain, terrifying situation that I’m in and the terrifying manner in which journalists have to work in Mexico.”
That’s Mexican journalist Emilio Gutiérrez Soto, speaking from detention.