SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA — A video posted to Facebook last Friday shows a San Diego teacher and her two kids being detained for more than an hour by Border Patrol agents in New Mexico after the teacher refuses to reveal her citizenship status.
When Shane Parmely and her family were stopped by Border Patrol agents in New Mexico, she refused to answer when she was asked if she was a US citizen. Parmely told the agent she had never been asked if she is a US citizen before while travelling along that particular road, San Francisco Union-Tribune reported.
The agent then presented an identification card that has information about immigration law printed on it, and maintained that he was authorized to ask such a question. Parmely said she found it discriminatory that her friends and their children have been aggressively interrogated by Border Patrol agents, because of their skin color is brown.
While being detained, Parmely's son asked to use the bathroom, but an agent wouldn't let him, saying he would not be able to until his mother answered the question. Another agent eventually escorted the child to a bathroom.
Despite the lengthy detention, Parmely still did not answer the question, and Border Patrol agents eventually let her go.
Parmely, a middle school teacher of English, art and theatre at Bell Middle School, was praised by most viewers who saw the video. However, others are unhappy with the way she spoke to the agents.
According to the American Civil Liberties Union, Border Patrol agents are authorized to stop vehicles at checkpoints and verify a person's citizenship. People are allowed to remain silent, but may be detained if they refuse to answer citizenship questions.
However, agents cannot detain someone for an extended time without cause.
A Border Patrol spokesman issued a statement in response to the incident, saying the agency's policy is to treat people with dignity and respect.
