Vol. 74/No. 3      January 25, 2010

Toro was arrested by Homeland Security agents on an Amtrak train in upstate New York July 6, 2007, and charged with being in the United States without legal papers. He was returning to New York City after joining actions in California for legalization of undocumented immigrants.

Toro has lived in the United States since 1984. Together with his wife, Nieves Ayress, a U.S. citizen, he founded the community organization La Peña del Bronx. Their daughter is a legal permanent resident.

In 1973 when a military junta overthrew the Chilean government in a U.S.-backed coup, Toro was a member of the Movement of the Revolutionary Left. Like thousands of other workers and peasants there he was jailed and tortured. In 1976 he was expelled from Chile. He lived in Sweden and Mexico before moving to the United States.

Along with asking for political asylum, Toro and his attorney have presented arguments that because of his family ties and having lived in the United States for 25 years, the deportation proceedings against him should be halted and he should be granted permanent residency.

Some 150 supporters attended a January 8 solidarity event in New York to back his fight against deportation.

During the lunch break on the day of the hearing, some 50 people rallied outside the Federal Building chanting, “We are immigrants, not terrorists!” and “No deportation for Víctor Toro!” in English and Spanish. The next court date is set for May 20.  
 
 
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