Governors of Mexico write to support Seattle 'dreamer'

SEATTLE -- The governors of Mexico are weighing in on the continued detention of a Seattle-area man who was participating in a federal program to protect people brought to the U.S. illegally as children.

In a letter to U.S. Magistrate Judge James Donohue, the National Conference of Governors of Mexico expressed support for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and said its members are confident that the American court will fully observe Daniel Ramirez Medina's "right to liberty."

Ramirez, a 23-year-old Mexican, was detained on Feb. 10 by agents who initially came to arrest his father, identified as a previously deported felon. Ramirez has no criminal history and twice passed background checks to participate in the federal program.

Federal agents said he admitted to having gang ties. His lawyers deny it.