Thread: Teens Facing Deportation Get Capitol Hill Support

http://www.miamiherald.com/460/story/187585.html

Teens facing deportation get Capitol Hill support
A powerful Miami lawmaker has joined the fight to keep teenagers Juan and Alex Gomez from being deported.
Posted on Tue, Jul. 31, 2007
BY KATHLEEN McGRORY
kmcgrory@MiamiHerald.com

Juan and Alex Gomez, whose fight to avoid deportation started with a few classmates and a laptop computer, have gained a powerful advocate on Capitol Hill: U.S. Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart.

On Monday, Diaz-Balart introduced legislation that would grant both Colombian nationals American residency, preventing them from being expelled with their parents.

Although the bill would only affect the brothers, their case has given fresh resonance to a much broader question: Should the children of undocumented immigrants be granted residency?

Diaz-Balart says yes.

''This case is heartbreaking,'' he told The Miami Herald Monday. ``These boys arrived in the country when they were 2 and 3 years old. The only decision they made was to study hard and make their parents proud.''

Diaz-Balart won't be the only one working the halls of power in Washington on the brothers' behalf. Eight Miami teens boarded a US Airways flight Monday bound for the capital, where they plan to lobby federal lawmakers and meet with the national news media.

The Gomez family -- parents Julio and Liliana and the two boys -- has been in South Florida since 1990, when they arrived on a six-month visitors visa, immigration officials said. They did not leave at the end of six months.

Years later, they went to immigration court to seek legal status, but a judge denied the request, a decision that was upheld on appeal.

Still they did not leave.

In May, Juan Gomez, 18, graduated at the top of his class from Killian High and earned a near-perfect score on his SATs. He was getting ready to start at Miami Dade College's Honors College when immigration agents seized him and his family.

That's when Juan Gomez's friends stepped in.

The teens started a grass-roots campaign to save the brothers on Face

book.com, the social networking site. They urged their classmates to contact local legislators in hopes to staving off the boys' deportation order.

The teens also rallied in support of the DREAM Act, separate, broad-based legislation that would provide a path to citizenship for the children of undocumented immigrants.

''Originally, we just wanted to save our friends,'' said Scott Elfenbein, 18, the recent Killian grad leading the charge. ``Now, we're realizing that there is a massive need for immigration reform, especially for positive members of society.''

Less than a week later, more than 1,500 teens had joined the virtual assemblage. They caught the attention of several local lawmakers, including Diaz-Balart and Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, both Miami Republicans.

Diaz-Balart's bill would not allow the boys' parents to remain in the country, since they knowingly overstayed their visa, Diaz-Balart said.

If the bill is heard this week by the House immigration subcommittee, it's possible the deportation order could be stayed. Traditionally, a House staffer said, the Department of Homeland Security stays deportation orders -- for as long as the two-year congressional term -- if the subcommittee agrees to take up the matter.

The DREAM Act, designed to help children of immigrants become residents, garnered early support among Democrats, but hasn't been brought to a vote. Opponents worry it could grant amnesty to an estimated 65,000 immigrant students each year.

Some Congress watchers believe the Gomez boys could become the new face of the bill, helping to nudge it toward approval.

Local immigrant advocates say they're delighted.

''This could really make a difference,'' said Cheryl Little, executive director of the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center.

``At the very least it gives us some hope that we can keep Juan and Alex around here.''

Equally as delighted: friends of Juan and his 19-year-old sibling, Alex.

On Monday, the friends set up a trust fund for the boys to help with living expenses.

Miami Herald staff writer Lesley Clark contributed to this report.

Juan and Alex Gomez, whose fight to avoid deportation started with a few classmates and a laptop computer, have gained a powerful advocate on Capitol Hill: U.S. Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart.

Yep, here we go--by the latin, for the latin, nothing but the latin.

Instead of being for the enforcement of our immigration laws, Lincoln Diaz-Baffoon will seek to undermine or change our laws in order to acccmodate those who are in violation of our laws. He is hispanic before being American and this is why he is so unfit to hold office. Instead of doing what's good for all Americans, he only does what's good for hispanics.

''Originally, we just wanted to save our friends,'' said Scott Elfenbein, 18, the recent Killian grad leading the charge. ``Now, we're realizing that there is a massive need for immigration reform, especially for positive members of society.''

Gee, after graduating from Killian Sr. High myself, I wasn't this naive (or brainwashed) when I graduated.

this is BS, they are using the system and the media , they are here illegally period, what part of illegal the media doe's not understand.

They have been using the school system they are not entlited to , they do not belong here, now a US rep is getting involved for what, he should be removed from his post for abbiting and supporting illegals .

I watched the news on Telemundo, the spanish channel this morning and they strongly support illegals, of course their audience.

They (spanish TV) promote illegal immigratiion with their tv shows, they make martyrs of the people crossing the desert and enduring the challenges of coming to the US, we should boycott them and their advertisers!!!

They make heroes of the ones that get away with crime and are successsful in the US, but don't tell you that in order to be sucessful they broke so many laws. and drained our social services with all of their bagagge.

Those kids in Florida along with their family should be deported , period.

Sicking how they all stick together illegal or not... Criminal or not!!! Judge should be dismissed!!!

It's not OUR fault that they have parents who are criminals. So, I would think that the parents have to pay - not US!

Make those parents take those kids with them and let them continue their education elsewhere, not in this country.

These ridiculous "representatives" are out of their minds - why pander to a small group when you KNOW most Americans want illegals deported? That's what I don't get. Ideas, anyone?

They were told to leave numerous times but didn't. Which basically says " Up yours Americans we're here and we're staying. Your laws don't pertain to us" What about our American rights?

It is so tiresome, everyone has a story!! ENFORCE OUR LAWS!!!



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This would be another immigration act in a way. If these kids can stay then they could become citizens and bring their elderly parents here so we once again pay their way. Deport. If he wants tho go to school here let him go home and then come back as an international student. Then he pays more tuition, plays by immigration rules and must have health insurance. I came here as an international student in order to stay here legally and it cost me over $47,000 for my degree. That included both tuition and books and many books were bought used.

I would bet that the money the Gomez family has made in America, through overstaying their visas, would really go a long way in Colombia and give the two boys a good start in that society. Adios, amigos!

The only power you have is Miami and Florida residents have to call their representatives and tell them you are watching and you are totally against this, any Dream Act, and any amnesty of any form.

You must have leverage though. What is in their districts that you can boycott?

Check things out and call them like crazy. Pass out flyers in their districts do what ever you have to and make sure on the flyers they have the Reps telephone numbers. Give the flyers to people who are fed up.