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Sweetwater rally seeks to halt deportation of parents
Immigration advocates rallied in support of the U.S.-born children of illegal immigrants.

blevine@MiamiHerald.com
Ronald Soza, of Margate, went on a hunger strike in January in hopes that it would bring home his mother -- an illegal immigrant who was deported to Nicaragua last year.

On Wednesday he wished for the same thing, this time as he cut his 10th birthday cake at an immigration rally in Sweetwater.

Ronald and about 60 children wearing green signs that said ''Don't leave me alone'' called on President Barack Obama to halt the deportation of illegal immigrants who have U.S.-born children.

''I think it's really unfair,'' said Ronald, whose father may also be deported. ``They take our parents away like they're criminals.''

Ronald now lives in Margate with his aunt and older sister.

The rally, sponsored by the immigration advocacy group American Fraternity, focused on a lawsuit filed against Obama in January on behalf of about 150 children of deported parents.

The suit, set to go to trial in August, was originally brought against the Bush administration but was dismissed.

Alfonso Olviedo, the children's attorney, said the case would most likely be dismissed again, with the court citing that it is an inappropriate forum.

Even if it is dismissed, Nora Sandigo, chief executive officer of American Fraternity, said her group will continue to fight.

Children with deported parents suffer emotional consequences often leading to bad grades, drug abuse and teen pregnancy, she said.

The parents illegally came to the U.S. before 1996 immigration changes made it more difficult for them to become legal residents, Olviedo said. Prior to changes, parents could become residents if they had been here for seven years, had good moral character, and proved their children would suffer hardship.

Cecia, 13, Ronald's sister, said she has been attending rallies since her mother was deported because she doesn't want other children to lose their mothers.

Many at the rally said they think the case has a chance because Obama has been vocal about immigration policy changes.

So far, the only White House correspondence has been a standard thank you letter.