http://cbs4.com/topstories/local_story_213091015.html

Save Juan Campaign Granted Temporary Victory
Click Here To Read Letter To President Bush

Tiffani Helberg
Reporting

(CBS4) MIAMI A partial victory for 8 teens waging a battle on Capitol Hill to save a South Florida teen from being deported.

Wednesday afternoon, Immigration and Customs Enforcement granted a 45 day reprieve to Juan Gomez and his brother Alex.

The two will be released from the transitional facility where they are being held in Broward. His parents, however, will remain in custody at the Krome Detention facility.

The Gomez family was taken into custody by immigration officials last week for violating their visa stay. A deportation order was issued five years ago, but the family decided to stay in the U.S. rather than return to Colombia.

For the last two days, members of the Save Juan Campaign have appealed to members of Congress to pass two bills that would halt the deportation of Juan and his family.

Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, who invited the 8 teens who formed the Save Juan Campaign to Washington DC to fight for their friend, admits it’s a long shot but she's proud of them for their efforts.

Tuesday, the teens met with a number of congressional leaders to ask for their support in passing two bills that would allow Killian Senior High graduate 18-year old Juan Gomez, his brother Alex, and their parents to stay in the U.S.

Juan, who was college bound, graduated at the top of his high school class. His friends say he and his family should be allowed to stay. They hope passage of the Dream Act will allow students who came to the U.S. with their parents be allowed to stay here. Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, who is a co-sponsor of that bill, said she's doubtful the teens will win their fight.

"Rarely does Congress grant passage of these private bills," said Ros-Lehtinen, "secondly we've asked the federal agencies to stop the deportations, that are going to be difficult too. And thirdly, I had a meeting with President Bush yesterday on an unrelated matter. I handed him a letter signed by Lincoln Diaz Balart, Mario Diaz Balart, and myself asking the president to stop the deportation until Congress gets to look at the Dream Act."

Supporters of the Save Juan Campaign have until Friday to get an immigration subcommittee to hear their pleas. The committee will then have to approve it by two-thirds before it can move forward. After Friday, Congress adjourns for a five week recess.

During the last session, more than 100 so called "private amnesty" bills were filed with Congress on behalf of illegal immigrants. Not one passed.