WASHINGTON D.C., MD (MPG) - U.S. Representative Mike Thompson (CA-04) sat down with a constituent and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient from California’s Fourth Congressional District who was denied entry back into the U.S. for weeks after a trip to Mexico due to a clerical error by U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services. 

The constituent, who is identified only as Jane Doe to remain anonymous, sat down with Rep. Thompson to discuss the harrowing incident and how Thompson and his team were able to intervene to bring her home. Watch the video HERE. 

“Through no fault of her own, Jane was wrongfully denied re-entry from Mexico into the United States due to a paperwork error made by U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services,” said Rep. Thompson. "It’s sad that the federal government can make an error that causes a legal resident of the United States — in this case, my constituent — to have to miss three weeks of work, stay in a foreign country, and leave her family without their sole breadwinner for weeks."

"When I was stranded in Mexico, I reached out to Congressman Thompson, him and his team listen to my story, they supported me and provided me with help to solve my situation," said Jane Doe. "If not for them, I don't think I would be here today. Thank you for everything."

It took my office, my staff, and myself to intervene to get her home," said Rep. Thompson. "Constituent services are an important part of my job and my staff and I are dedicated to helping all of our constituents on any matters they have with the federal government."

Background: 

On March 26th, Jane Doe contacted Representative Thompson’s Washington, D.C. office to ask for help from the Congressman and his team. 

Jane had traveled to Mexico legally after being granted an I-131 petition which allows a DACA recipient to leave the country and return for a justified reason. Jane filed her paperwork on time and without errors, and was granted the petition before leaving for her trip.  

At the conclusion of her trip, Jane was denied entry onto the plane to fly home to the North Bay. Border patrol officials pointed out that the paperwork sent to Jane by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) listed the wrong dates for her return, despite Jane filing for the correct dates.  

Thompson’s office intervened to inquire with the USCIS San Francisco office as well as Customs & Border Control. Thompson and his team worked through USCIS to have Jane’s documents reissued and coordinated to have them couriered to Jane in Mexico. She was able to fly home on Saturday, April 27th.