ACLU urges Alaskans to contact governor for immigration help

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy asked President Trump to help the state’s attorney general with his wife and kid’s immigration papers.  GOV.ALASKA.GOV

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska has encouraged residents with immigration problems to contact Gov. Mike Dunleavy after he asked the president to aid his attorney general’s family with their immigration documents.

Dunleavy sent an official letter to President Donald Trump in December requesting aid for Attorney General Kevin Clarkson, who is seeking documents so his Colombian wife and stepson can live in the United States, Anchorage Daily News reported Friday.

The governor’s letter served as a cover for a personal letter Clarkson wrote to Trump asking for his help, officials said.

Clarkson has struggled to get the required federal approval for years for his wife, Johanna Ferrer Zarache de Clarkson, and her 6-year-old son.

It is unclear if anything came of the request.

“Thousands of families are living in the same state” of uncertainty as Clarkson, the ACLU said.

In a previous interview with the Daily News, Clarkson said the governor would have offered similar help to any Alaska resident who asked.

“The ACLU of Alaska agrees with AG Clarkson: Elected officials and public servants should assist Alaskans. But our government servants should help everyone, not only when it affects the lives of those in positions of power,” the group said in a statement.

In response, the ACLU has created an online form where people can send an email to the governor and attorney general to discuss any problems they may have while negotiating federal immigration policies, officials said.

The information on the form is private to everyone but the governor and attorney general, ACLU spokeswoman Megan Edge said.

“Thank you for being willing to elevate Alaska’s immigration issues directly to the Office of the President. I eagerly await your response and assistance,” the online form said.

The attorney general and the governor’s office did not respond to requests for comment.