We use cookies on this website. By continuing to use this site without changing your cookie settings, you agree that you are happy to accept our privacy policy and for us to access our cookies on your device.
Transcript/ScriptUSAGM SHARE
((PLAYBOOK SLUG: US IMMIGRATION PRESS FREEDOM
HEADLINE: Mexican Journalist Granted US Asylum After 15-Year Journey
TEASER: The journalist fled with his son to the US-Mexico border in 2008 after death threats over his reporting on Mexican military corruption
PUBLISHED AT: 12/6/23 & 11:52A)
BYLINE: Aline Barros
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Washington
VIDEOGRAPHER: Saqib Islam
VIDEO EDITOR:
ASSIGNING EDITOR: Jessica Jerreat, Sue Jepsen
SCRIPT EDITORS: JJ, Holly Franko
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA original,
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO __
TRT: 2:14
VID APPROVED BY: Reifenrath
TYPE:
EDITOR NOTES:)) ))
((INTRO:))
[[After a 15-year case before the U.S. immigration courts, Mexican journalist Emilio Gutierrez Soto has been granted asylum. Media advocates say at-risk journalists like him need a fast track to safety. VOA’s immigration reporter Aline Barros has more.]]
((NARRATOR))
A U.S. immigration asylum journey that lasted 15 years. The U.S. Board of Immigration Appeals ruled in favor of Mexican journalist Emilio Gutierrez Soto’s asylum case.
[[For radio: Gutierrez Soto says that after such a long time waiting, and so many frustrations, he feels happy. And above all, he is very thankful. ]]
((Emilio Gutierrez Soto, Mexican Journalist ((Male/Spanish))
“After such a long time waiting, so many frustrations. But I feel happy. And above all, I am very thankful.”
((NARRATOR))
The journalist fled with his son to the U.S.-Mexico border in 2008 after death threats over his reporting on Mexican military corruption. Arriving at a U.S. port of entry, he requested asylum protection.
((Radio track: This is Kathy Kiely. She is a National Press Club freedom fellow and the Lee Hills chair in free-press studies at the University of Missouri.))
((Kathy Kiely, University of Missouri))
“And that began a very long and we felt very unjust odyssey during which he was detained twice despite having violated no laws. So this was a big fight for the National Press Club, and a number of other press freedom organizations.”
((NARRATOR))
At an event in Washington to highlight his case, Gutierrez Soto smiles, speaks with other journalists, and at times holds back tears as he thanks the people who helped him along the way.
[[For radio: Gutierrez Soto says he's extremely thankful for his lawyers and support from other journalists. ]]
((Emilio Gutierrez Soto, Mexican Journalist))
"I feel extremely thankful for my lawyers and for the journalists."
((NARRATOR))
Press freedom advocates and first amendment lawyers say Gutierrez Soto’s journey shows an immigration system that needs to change. And they want better protections for at-risk journalists who have to come to the U.S. for safety reasons.
((Radio track: This is Kathy Kiely again))
((Kathy Kiely, University of Missouri))
“What we are urging is that more Western democracies do what Canada has done, which is to create a special visa for human rights workers which would include journalists who are under threat because of this global war on democracy.”
((NARRATOR))
Such a system, Kiely says, would ensure journalists’ safety and help them get back to work.
((Radio track: Again, Kathy Kiely))
((Kathy Kiely, University of Missouri))
“Because that is really the best answer to the dictators and the strong man, which is to say, you may be able to force us into exile, but you will not silence us.”
((NARRATOR))
The last step for Gutierrez Soto before his green card arrives: to go in front of an immigration judge in March to officially receive his asylum papers. Press freedom activists say they will be by Gutierrez Soto’s side.
((Aline Barros, VOA News, Washington)
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateDecember 6, 2023 12:21 EST
BylineAline Barros
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English, US Agency for Global Media
