Deportation deferred for student, 23, who didn't know he was undocumented

The Department of Homeland Security has deferred Monday's planned deportation of a 23-year-old Florida honors student who didn't realize until he applied for university that he has been undocumented since he was 3 years old.

Walter Lara, who considers himself the "all-American guy next door," came to the United States with his parents 20 years ago. He was supposed to be deported to Argentina, a country he says he knows little about.

“As I look to celebrate Independence Day with family and friends this weekend, I have once again seen what makes America the best country in the world. Americans are fair, just, and kind," Lara said in a statement.

Rep. Corrine Brown, D-Fla., whose office confirmed the DHS decision, and Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., both have intervened on Lara's behalf. The order defers the deportation for one year.

Lara graduated from Miami Dade Honors College with an associate's degree in computer animation. He was arrested in Feburary by immigration agents, The Miami Herald reported.

He lives in Orlando with his grandmother, a legal resident, and his 15-year-old sister, who is a citizen, the newspaper reported..

Posted at 02:50 PM/ET, July 02, 2009 in Americas, Crime, Human interest, Immigration, Politics, Washington
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