Alejandra Pablos, 32, a well known activist for immigration and reproductive rights is ordered to be deported by Tucson judge. On March 11, in downtown Tucson – Immigration Judge Thomas Michael O’Leary denied her request for asylum. This is a major concern for Pablos due to the fact that in Mexico, abortion is highly illegal, and activists with similar values have received severe death threats. She believes it is unsafe, and could result in her being targeted for persecution.

Pablos was born in Nogales, Sonora, but came to the U.S. as a baby. She has lived in Arizona her entire life, and has always felt the need to speak out against injustices. “If I see injustices, I’m going to speak out against them,” she testified at the hearing Tuesday. She is known widely across the U.S. for her outspoken personality, but most famously for her arrest at a Department of Homeland Security building in VA. She led the protest, which she states was peaceful – but was the only one arrested at the event. While she was arrested more than 20,000 people signed a petition for her to be released.

Pablos issued this statement after the hearing: