http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/printDS/136323

Published: 07.03.2006

Fearful of Canadian border crossing, Phoenix student winners won't competeCoaches are worried about their possible illegal status
ASSOCIATED PRESS
PHOENIX – Students from Phoenix' Carl Hayden High School who placed second in a national underwater robotics competition won't be going to next year's contest.
Their coaches won't risk taking the students to the competition because they're worried about their possible illegal status. The contest will be held in Canada.
Many Carl Hayden students are Hispanic and from poor Phoenix neighborhoods. Schools aren't obligated to ask about residency status or citizenship, and they don't.
But their coaches aren't willing to risk it.
In 2002, four students from Wilson Charter High in Phoenix were detained at the United States-Canadian border because of their illegal status.
The Carl Hayden students say they're disappointed but understand the coaches' decision.
Besides, they say they're considering hosting their own robotics competition.