Thread: College students who grew up US near deportation as illegals

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nati ... dents.html

College students who grew up in U.S. near deportation as illegals


By Michelle Roberts
ASSOCIATED PRESS

12:02 p.m. July 6, 2005

PHOENIX – Four students who were apprehended by immigration authorities during a field trip to Niagara Falls three years ago will likely be ordered deported to Mexico at a hearing later this month, their attorney said Wednesday.
The students, who have been in the United States since they were small children, were part of a winning solar energy team and were in Buffalo, N.Y., in June 2002 for an international competition when their teacher took them to Niagara Falls.

Immigration authorities detained and questioned them. At least one student wasn't sure what his legal status was.

Since then, the students, now all in college, have been given several reprieves, but their attorney, Judy Flanagan, said the July 21 hearing will likely result in an order for them to leave the country.

If U.S. Immigration Judge John Richardson orders the students to leave, they will probably need to depart within four months, Flanagan said.

"I'm terrified," said one of the students, Jaime Damian. "It's like throwing me onto the street."

The 20-year-old, who has lived in the United States since he was 5, doesn't know the relatives he would be sent to if deported.

The other three students who face deportation are Yuliana Huicochea, 20; Oscar Corona, 20; and Luis Nava, 21.

Nava has been cramming to finish his studies at Arizona State University in three years and will complete a management degree in August. He had been living in the United States since he was 2 and didn't know what his immigration status was when the students were stopped in New York.

"I feel I'm American," he said.

Flanagan said the only hope for the students to avoid deportation to Mexico is congressional action.

They and others have been pushing for passage of a bill that would give them and others a reprieve. The bill, which has been introduced several times but never passed, would allow students to apply for temporary legal residency if they entered the country before they were 16, have lived here for at least five years and have graduated from high school.

After two years of college or military service, the students could apply for permanent legal status – something that is impossible for the four students to do under current law, Flanagan said.

The four Phoenix students hope that Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officials will defer action on their case to allow more time for Congress to act, but so far, ICE officials have not responded to a request for a delay, Flanagan said.

The four Phoenix students hope that Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officials will defer action on their case to allow more time for Congress to act, but so far, ICE officials have not responded to a request for a delay, Flanagan said.

AND, ICE better not respond. AND Congress better stay out of this and let our laws work. The kids will be fine. They have family here who can take them home. They probably have a "second home" in Mexico already.

Just remember as this "tugs" at your heart. There are 4 American Children who did not get into college because of these kids who took their seats.

And for those who believe that they got in because they were smarter or better or worked harder, that is bunk. These kids while Caucasian kids were counted as "minorities" under federal law and took 4 seats in an American College or University they weren't entitled to by any legal or moral standard.

Well that Free Western education will come in handy to HELP thier OWN Nation!!!!! Just a thought?

Prometheus

Absolutely!! Feel no pity, this is our law, their parents knew it, and with everything going on....I'm quite sure they've known their status....being smart kids and all....for quite some time.