Emilio Gutierrez Soto, a Mexican journalist, fled his country in 2008 after death threats over his reporting on corruption in the Mexican military. He immediately declared for asylum at a legal port of entry in the U.S. His case, which had the full support of the National Press Club and many other significant organizations and institutions, only recently approached a successful resolution and now he is expected to be officially granted asylum early next year.
The saga of what happened or nearly happened to Emilio during that 15 plus year struggle says volumes about the U.S. immigration and justice systems as well as providing a case study in how press freedom is often overlooked as a priority in this country.
This panel will seek to explain Emilio’s compelling story and provide the meaning and context that flow from it. At the conclusion there will be some recommendations about what can be done in the future to ensure better safety for Mexican journalists and for all journalists who are exiled to the United States.