Erika Andiola, a well-known immigrant rights leader, watched Thursday night as agents handcuffed and took away her mother and adult brother from their Phoenix home–arrests that sparked swift outrage among activists like her across the nation.<\/p>\n
Organizations released scores of statements condemning the action. Federal officials were bombarded with petitions and calls for the release of Andiola\u2019s mother, Maria Arreola, and brother, Heriberto Andiola Arreola. Both are suspected of being in the country illegally.<\/p>\n
By Friday morning both mother and son had been released. An Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesman said their case warranted a further review and \u201cexercise in discretion\u201d in keeping with policies of the Obama administration.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy mom was on the way to Mexico,\u201d Andiola posted on Facebook. \u201cShe said the driver turned around when she received a call. She was really confused…. They told her that the reason why she was returning was because her daughter was mobilizing the whole country to get her to come back.\u201d<\/p>\n
Frank Sharry, executive director of America\u2019s Voice Education Fund, an immigrant rights group, said cases like Andiola\u2019s are routine.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is what 400,000 deportations a year looks like,” he said, referencing the record number of deportations last year.<\/p>\n
Andiola and other immigrant activists wonder if her family was targeted because of her high-profile activism.<\/p>\n