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ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: May 4, 2004 <br />Action Agenda p <br />Item No, ~~-o( <br />SUBJECT: Resolution Regarding Erika Cruz Romero's Petition for Asylum <br />DEPARTMENT: Human Rights and Relations PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />Resolution <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Milan Pham, ext. 2255 <br />TELEPHONE NUMBERS: <br />Hillsborough 732-8181 <br />Chapel Hill 968-4501 <br />Durham 688-7331 <br />BACKGROUND: During the April 20, 2004 Board of County Commissioners' meeting, <br />Commissioner Halkiotis stated that he was concerned about Ms, Romero's residency situation <br />and requested that staff research the issue and present a resolution at the next Commissioners <br />meeting. <br />Ms, Erika Cruz Romero is an eleven-year-ald EI Salvadoran girl who left her home and <br />proceeded alone to make her way to the United States to find her father, She is currently with <br />her father in North Carolina, When the Immigration and Naturalization Service discovered her <br />whereabouts and reviewed her immigration status, it began proceedings to deport her, She has <br />been given the option of leaving voluntarily by the end of .June 2004 or face being deported, <br />Ms, Romero, through her attorney, has petitioned for asylum on the basis of hardship because <br />she was abandoned by her mother and will be homeless if she returns to EI Salvador, Her only <br />family other than her mother resides in the United States. <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT: None <br />RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board adapt the proposed <br />resolution and authorize the Chair to sign it. <br />