Somerville band member held without bond
By Jack Nicas
Vincente Lebron, drummer for the Somerville-based band Either/Orchestra, was detained at Logan Airport in May upon returning from the band's European tour. His passport and green card were confiscated and he was ordered to attend an “entry hearing” on June 9. The results of that hearing summoned him to the South Bay Correctional Center in Boston, where he remains today.
On Thursday, Lebron had his deportation hearing in Boston's JFK Federal Building. His attorney, Lenore Glaser, requested another hearing, to decide if Lebron can avoid deportation. If so, a “merits hearing,” a trial to decide if Lebron should be deported, will be set.
Lebron, a resident of the United States for almost 40 years with three children who are citizens, might qualify for a waiver that protects immigrants who have an immediate family member who is a U.S. citizen and would suffer “extreme hardship” from a deportation, said his attorney Lenore Glaser.
At Thursday's hearing, Judge Leonard Shapiro told Lebron to “be patient,” as merits hearings are few and far between. Lebron's next hearing is set for July 24.
According to U.S. law, every time a legal immigrant reenters the country, he or she is subject to 46 grounds of inadmissibility. After a 1998 immigration reform, any immigrant charged, arrested or released after October 8, 1998 may be subject to mandatory detention, without the option of bond.
When Lebron reentered the country in May, a prior arrest led to his mandatory detention. At the hearing, Judge Shapiro said Lebron had two drug possession convictions on his record.
Either/Orchestra co-founder Russ Gershon said the band has been affected by Lebron's absence. “He's been a member for 10 years and we're very upset he's being held in prison.”
Vinnie! You come and STAY here illegally and you don't expect ramifications?! What are you thinking? Oh... and this guy is no saint as this sentence testifies "...When Lebron reentered the country in May, a prior arrest led to his mandatory detention. At the hearing, Judge Shapiro said Lebron had two drug possession convictions on his record..." What a swell guy.
I guess Vinnie figured he could break immigration laws with impunity - why not drug laws too! Send him back.. send him, his drum and if he's got a horse send that back with him too.
Posted by: Imux | July 22, 2008 at 10:21 AM
Well, he shouldn't have had convictions. Why is he complaining? It's not the INS who has "silenced his drum" (gosh, cry me a river) but his own irresponsible behavior.
Posted by: Irene | July 22, 2008 at 10:38 AM
The INS has to keep musicians with criminal records out of the country to protect the children. Obviously it's foreign musicians who once got caught with some weed who are causing children to become drug addicts, terrorists, and/or same-sex wedding participants.
Posted by: verbal | July 22, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Shouldn't the headline be "Vincente Lebron silences his Drum." ??
Posted by: JPM | July 22, 2008 at 07:49 PM
While the article had the intended effect of making you feel bad for this gentleman, and his family, and his band, the fact remains that he broke our laws. The story is rather vague on the facts, but it sounds like he is a legal immigrant. However, legal immigrants can lose their right to that status by certain behaviors, such as being convicted for drug possession. We cannot allow people to live here from other countries who are using/selling/dealing drugs. I'm sure Mr. Lebron was aware of this, and he's lucky he wasn't deported when he was first convicted.
Posted by: Uphold the law | July 23, 2008 at 05:24 AM