Críticas Magazine

Bruce Jensen

"Librarian charged with being illegal alien": How you can help Marxavi Angel Martínez
July 31, 2008

Marxavi Angel Martínez is a young North Carolina mom who works at the Graham Public Library of the Alamance County system.  She used that library a lot when she was a teen: Marxavi was an honors student and a cheerleader too.  When she grew up, she went right to work in the town library.

 As one report puts it, "Her co-workers say they loved her gentle, sweet spirit. And the fact that she ALWAYS had a smile on her face. They supported her through her pregnancy… thrilled for the new life within her."

Today that new life—Marxavi's little son—is the only member of her immediate family who is not under federal authority, because of some medical records from that pregnancy that were scrutinized by local law enforcement.  Her parents lost their jobs and face deportation.  Marxavi herself sits in federal prison.

Her folks brought Marxavi across the US border when she was three.  Like a whole lot of other people who come to the US looking for work, her mom and dad didn't have the privilege of any realistic route to immigration papers, so they did what they could.  Therein hangs a tale.  You can see a local TV news report on the story (the journalist, by the way, comes from good South Texas stock) or GoogleNews it to find out more.

UPI puts it in the "Odd News" bag, under the headline, "Librarian charged with being illegal alien."

A former Graham PL staffer—retired UNC professor Marilyn Tyler, who worked at the library for nearly a decade—has a guest editorial in the Burlington TimesNews.  And tonight she will be helping lead a meeting as concerned local folks rally to Marxavi's defense.

I spoke with Marilyn, and she will be happy to talk to you about the case.  If you are interested in helping out, she will tell you after the meeting what steps you can take from wherever you are.  Marilyn Tyler's number is 336-226-1889.

Posted by Bruce Jensen on July 31, 2008 | Comments (0)