A 70-year-old legal U.S. resident was wrongfully detained by customs officials upon returning from an international trip at Boston’s Logan International Airport. Several immigrant rights advocacy groups have denounced this action as pathetic and inhumane.
According to the Miami Herald, Ruth Mufute, a Worcester, Massachusetts resident, was arrested by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents on April 29 after returning from Zimbabwe.
The exact reasons for her detention remain unclear, according to activist groups, including the Student Clinic for Immigrant Justice and Neighbor to Neighbor.
In a statement released on April 30, these organizations noted that Ms. Mufute is a member of the Student Clinic for Immigrant Justice, where she serves as a development officer.
Jonathan Goldman, the organization’s executive director, told the Worcester Telegram & Gazette that Ms. Mufute was a “longtime community activist.”
The septuagenarian spent over 24 hours in detention before being released by judge’s order, as reported by the Miami Herald.
The release came shortly after support groups organized a press conference and rally outside the federal courthouse in Boston.
In an email to McClatchy News, Neighbor to Neighbor stated that “there is very little information about the reasons for her detention at this time.” The organization added: “Ruth is a legal green card holder residing in Worcester, and her only apparent fault seems to be collaborating with a nonprofit organization known for defending immigrant rights.”
In a press release, Dálida Rocha, executive director of Neighbor to Neighbor, condemned the situation as “unacceptable.” “At her age, this kind of treatment isn’t just cruel, it’s dangerous,” she stated. “We need clarity in this case and assurance that she receives fair and lawful treatment,” the Miami Herald reported.
Ms. Mufute, who is also a grandmother, lives in Worcester, a city approximately 45 miles west of Boston. She had no pending legal issues and maintains a clean record.
According to the Miami Herald, federal authorities had not yet responded to requests for information regarding the arrest of this activist, who is highly respected in her community for her dedication to helping the underprivileged.
