Africa Water, Sanitation & Hygiene 2014 Sept - Oct Vol. 9 No.5 | Page 14

NEWS in brief
Undocumented Immigrants Denied Water Service in
Dallas, NC
By Sara Jerome

Residents of Dallas,
NC, are advocating
for water utilities
to provide service
to undocumented
immigrants.
“Latino families in a
Dallas mobile home
park want change. Several of the families are not legally
documented residents, meaning town policy effectively
denies them running water,” the Gaston Gazette reported.
The town requires that residents present identification
issued by the U.S. government in order to get water
service. Some families lack ID, despite owning homes.
One woman has decided to bring the issue to court.
“Lorena Navarro filed the suit on April 24, after being
denied water service to her trailer in Oak Grove Park.
She and her young son lived without water for bathing,
drinking, personal hygiene and other daily needs for two
years,” the report said, citing the lawsuit.
Navarro has been confronted with strong opposition as
she tries to pursue water service. “Navarro went twice to
try to have water turned on at the home she owns, but was
denied both times. On the second try, she was arrested,”
the report said.
The lawsuit addresses what she sees as phony grounds for
arrest.
“According to court documents, Navarro presented what
was believed to be a fake ID. Navarro was arrested, jailed
for 24 hours and faced two charges of identity theft and
obtaining property by false pretense. The lawsuit claims the
arrest was groundless and that the town and officer knew
that,” the report said.
The issue is hardly new. Back in 2012, the Georgia
legislature considered making such a policy into law.
“A bill before the Georgia Legislature could prevent illegal
immigrants from being able