Survivors Group Opposes Deportation of Priest Who Abused 8-year-old

CBS Chicago
July 9, 2013

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2013/07/09/survivors-group-opposes-deportation-of-priest-who-abused-8-year-old/

[with audio]

A 40-year-old priest who served time in an Illinois prison for abusing an 8-year-old boy is set to be deported to his native Bolivia – but the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests is opposing deportation.

Alejandro Flores is the priest whom after abuse allegations were made public, he apparently attempted suicide by jumping from the choir loft of a Joliet church.

Flores pled guilty to molesting an 8-year-old St. Charles boy and was paroled after serving part of a four-year prison term.

After he was released from prison a month ago, he was taken into custody by the federal government, which plans to deport him.

Barbara Blaine, president of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, says Flores should not be deported.

“Our fear is that in Bolivia, people may not be aware of his history of abusing children and with less resources and with less knowledge and information of his history, it makes it more likely that he’ll be able to return to a position where he’ll have access to children,” said Blaine.

A spokeswoman for ICE, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said in a statement: “Flores… will remain in ICE custody pending his removal to Bolivia.”

“ICE is focused on sensible, effective immigration enforcement that prioritizes the removal of criminal aliens and egregious immigration law violators.”