A young Colombian asylum seeker used the court's web conferencing application for a San Francisco immigration hearing and was told by Judge Patrick O'Brien that she was supposed to be physically present. The judge rescheduled the hearing to give her time to appear in person. Upon arrival at 630 Sansome St., a Department of Homeland Security attorney moved to dismiss her case, signaling potential arrest. She pleaded that she had tried to follow U.S. laws and begged not to be returned to her country. O'Brien expressed belief in her but said his options were limited and indicated likely time in custody.
"Good morning, ma'am," he said. "You're supposed to be sitting in a courtroom right now." "Good morning, your honor," the woman replied, in Spanish through a court interpreter. "Yes, your honor, that's right." "I know that's right," O'Brien said. "I'm going to reschedule your hearing for later this morning. I'm going to give you a chance to show up." To avoid arrest, some asylum seekers are submitting written requests to the court to appear remotely.
"When she arrived in court at 630 Sansome St., her fears were realized: A Department of Homeland Security attorney moved to dismiss her case, a sign of impending arrest even though O'Brien did not grant the motion. She pleaded with O'Brien. "I have tried as best as I can to follow the laws of this country." "All I can do is give you time to respond to the department's motion," O'Brien said. "Please, I cannot go back to my country," she said."
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