The Previously Deported Juana Villegas DeLaPaz

By Kleinheider Posted on July 23, 2008 at 8:37 am

Nate Rau injects a bit of sanity and reason into the story of Juana Villegas DeLaPaz, the previously deported illegal immigrant who gave birth in the custody of the Davidson County Sheriff after being picked up in accordance with the 287(g) program:

A background check performed by the Sheriff’s Office in accordance with the 287(g) program showed that DeLaPaz was an illegal immigrant who had been deported already in 1996 out of San Diego.

After that DeLaPaz was turned over to ICE custody, and she then went into labor on July 5.

Weickal gave a slightly different account from the Times report of how DeLaPaz was treated by deputies while in labor. Weickal emphasized DeLaPaz was not handcuffed at all during her hospital stay.

Although DeLaPaz was shackled to her hospital bed, Weickal said the restraints did not restrict her movement any more than being bed-ridden would.

“The restraints worked as such that she could roll over and was not limited in her movement while she was in the bed,” Weickal said, adding that DeLaPaz was not restrained two hours before giving birth and six hours afterwards.

The Times’ story said DeLaPaz was away her newborn for “two days” after being released from the hospital. Weickal said DeLaPaz was away from her child for 34 hours.

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Tags: , 287(g), Berry Hill, Davidson County Sherrif, deported, ICE, Juana Villegas DeLaPaz, San Diego