Immigration Officials Trying to Deport Dead Man

Dead men may tell no tales, but they still need to go back to where they came from.

Los Angeles immigration officials are trying to deport a deceased man, according to the late Central American's relatives.

Nasin Mauricio Rivera died last August, his family members claim, but a deportation hearing against the native Salvadoran is still scheduled this summer, the Los Angeles Times reported.

His ex-wife, Blanca Ramirez, says Rivera is already in El Salvador -- his body was shipped back home for burial.

Rivera's attorney Alberto Lopez said he presented a copy of Rivera's death certificate, but officials told him it was insufficient proof that Rivera was indeed dead.

It's unclear what more they want.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman Virginia Kice says a certified copy of the death certificate is usually enough, but the agency is responsible for ensuring "the integrity of the process."

At their home in Echo Park, an angry Ramirez had Rivera's funeral home program framed, along side a bible, white roses and family portraits, the Times repoted.

"It's the most ridiculous thing I have heard," she told the paper.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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