State Championship Coach May Be Deported

Updated: Friday, 17 Jun 2011, 5:25 PM MST
Published : Friday, 17 Jun 2011, 12:26 PM MST

PHOENIX - A valley coach has taken teams to state championships, but after a minor traffic stop, he may have to leave the country.

That's because it turns out that he's been living here illegally.

Miguel Aparicio, 37, is a volunteer cross country coach for Alhambra High School. He gained national esteem for turning runners into state champions.

He came to the United States with his grandmother when he was 15. She is legal, he is not.

"I was brought here when I was a teenager, I did not know if I broke the law. They just brought me here."

Today, students came to the immigration office in a show of support.

After being found to be an illegal immigrant during a minor traffic stop, he spent Friday morning trying to get an extension to stay in the country, but he was not successful.

Aparicio must now either leave the country on his own at midnight or stay here and appeal the decision.

Aparicio said he has not decided what he will do yet, stay or go. It's difficult to remain in the country on humanitarian grounds, but the coach has had a major impact in the valley and has many supporters in his corner.

http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/news/im ... d-06172011