Rep. Jimmy Panetta’s Statement on the Release of Cliona Ward
Santa Cruz, CA – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) issued the following statement on the release of Cliona Ward, a 30-year legal permanent resident of Santa Cruz County who was detained and threatened with deportation back to Ireland under this Administration’s deportation policy:
“Cliona Ward’s release demonstrates what can happen when we come together to fight for transparency, due process, and justice. We fought for Cliona from the top down and the bottom up. I pressured officials from the White House to the Irish government. We worked with her exceptional legal team from Seattle to Santa Cruz. And we coordinated with community advocates and her family. We fought to make sure that all of the facts about Cliona and her case were presented so that the Court could use its full discretion and do the right thing.”
“But this case also is an example of this Administration doing the wrong thing when it comes to its overreaching deportation policies that can sweep up people like Cliona. As a former narcotics and gang prosecutor, I understand and appreciate the removal of gang members and violent criminals from our communities. However, due process and transparency are what allow us to formally separate green card holders like Cliona who have turned around their lives and contribute to our communities. That is just one of the many reasons why we in California’s 19th Congressional District will continue to stand up, speak up, and step up for people like Cliona, and fight for due process under the laws of our land.”
###