I usually use this column to expound upon entertainment news and campus-related high jinks. This time, I want to bring a Nashville mother's plight to your attention
The Nashville Scene published an article on Oct. 12 ("Small Time, Big Crime") centered on Claudia Nuñez, an El Salvador native living in Nashville with her husband and two daughters. Nuñez was given a citation for driving without a license; she reported to court on time, as does any law-abiding person. Unfortunately, her legal visa had expired, making her ripe for deportation. Nuñez was "arrested and thrown in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement cell," where she was expected to stay until authorities reached a final deportation decision.
A second article, "Free at Last," appears in this week's Nashville Scene on page 12. According to P.J. Tobia's article, Nuñez has been released from the Memphis federal jail on bond. But her freedom may only be temporary; authorities still have yet to reach a decision and they are "pressing for her deportation." Nuñez may only have a short amount of time left to spend with her family if ICE deports her. Her husband is in the country legally and both daughters are U.S. citizens.
I empathize with Nuñez. Put yourself in her place; would you like to be separated from your children and placed in a FEDERAL prison with rapists? How about being sent to a country Nuñez describes in the new Scene article, "They will kill you for a dollar," and being separated from your children permanently? What if it was your own parents in her position? I understand our government is supposed to treat every case equally, but I don't agree with this case. There must be some way for Claudia Nuñez to stay here legally with her family and continue employment! Read the article and make a decision for yourself. If you feel as strongly as I do, please find a way to lend your support.
On the flip side, the Nashville Scene Music Festival 2 is Friday, Nov. 3 in the Belcourt Theatre. Many bands are playing, but I want to extend a resounding "Congratulations" to Murfreesboro bands Juan Prophet Organization, Glossary, and Velcro Stars for being picked to play the festival. This week's cover story is on the NSMF2; for a full list of bands and the story on how the festival came about, flip to page 4.
In related news, the article on page 5 focuses on one of the bands playing the festival and their contribution to the Lance Armstrong Foundation. The DVD review appears on page 8 this week.
If you have something to say, tell us at slflash@mtsu.edu. This includes any events you may have coming up, as there are only two issues of Exposure left this semester. Stay warm and see you next week with Greg Osby, Pnuma Trio and more.
Kristen
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