UNCLAS NOGALES 000042

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC MX CYNTHIA VANESSA FIGUEROA LOPEZ
SUBJECT: W/W REPATRIATION OF MINOR CYNTHIA VANESSA FIGUEROA LOPEZ



1. On Tuesday, February 6, 2007 Desarrollo Integral de la
Familia (DIF) in Nogales, Mexico, the Mexican equivalent for
Child Protective Services, informed Post they had taken custody
of minor Cynthia Vanessa Figueroa Lopez. Ms. Figueroa had been
deported by DHS on the previous day because she had told police
officers in Tucson, AZ that she was a Mexican citizen and had no
identification. Ms. Figueroa was questioned by Tucson police
after being detained for shoplifting in a Tucson mall. Once in
Mexico, Ms. Figueroa told DIF officials and, subsequently
conoff, her true nationality. Ms. Figueroa told conoff she lied
about her identity in order to avoid juvenile court in the
United States.


2. Post visited Ms. Figueroa and obtained a blanket Privacy Act
Waiver. Ms. Figueroa understood her legal situation and was in
good health and spirits. Post then contacted Ms. Figueroa's
family and learned that she ran away from the group home where
she was staying. Ms. Figueroa's grandmother, Ana Barraga, tel.
(520) 312-8041, has custody of her. Post contacted Mrs. Barraga
and advised her of her granddaughter's situation.


3. On Thursday, February 8, Post confirmed with DIF that Mrs.
Barraga came to Mexico for Ms. Figueroa. Both have safely
returned to their home in Tucson. Post considers this case
closed.

SHARPE