Sen. Nelson rallies against student's deportation

Sen. Bill Nelson wants the deportation of college student Walter Lara
halted. Nelson says Lara illustrates the need for the DREAM Act.

BY BRITTANY LEVINE
blevine@MiamiHerald.com

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/southfl ... 18685.html

Sen. Bill Nelson has called for authorities to halt the deportation of a Miami man whose immigration story has inspired protests and riled up immigration activists throughout South Florida.

In a letter last week addressed to a top federal immigration official, Nelson praised Walter Lara, a 23-year-old who is to be deported July 6. He called him ''exactly the type of person'' a new immigration bill is ''trying to help.'' Lara's story ''vividly illustrates'' the need for Congress to pass the DREAM Act, Nelson, a Democrat, said.

The bill would grant certain immigrants who graduate from U.S. high schools conditional permanent residency.

Lara received top scores in high school and college. He moved to Miami from Argentina when he was three. After graduating from Miami-Dade Honors College in 2007 he became a computer technician.

Both Florida senators -- Nelson and Republican Sen. Mel Martinez -- are co-sponsoring the bill along with about 25 others. Similar legislation in the House is supported by several South Florida lawmakers.

On June 23, more than 40 students and educators rallied against Lara's deportation at the College.

The protest was part of a nationwide campaign to raise awareness of the DREAM Act, which Congress failed to pass in 2007. President Obama has publicly supported the bill, which was reintroduced in March. Lara was arrested by immigration authorities in February while installing satellite dishes for DirecTV.

Nelson called for Homeland Security Department officials, who enforce the nation's immigration laws, to act before July 6.

Lara ''has earned the chance to live and work here and call America home,'' Nelson wrote.