Stop deporting the innocent, support the “Dream Act” •
http://www.diariolasamericas.com/news.php?nid=80570Not all who violate immigration rules are guilty; many in fact are innocent, such as the children who are brought by their parents as very young children. Such is the case of Walter Lara, a 23 year old who was brought to this country at the age of three from Argentina by his parents where they overstayed their tourist visa.
Like many children in similar circumstances, Lara does not remember Argentina; he is in fact just like other American children growing up in Miami, working hard in school earning the distinction of later graduating from the Honors College of Miami Dade College. Lara, a successful computer technician, was discovered by government officials on his way to work and is set to be deported to a country he has never seen July 6th. That can and should be stopped through the important initiatives co-sponsored in a
bi-partisan manner by Senator Bill Nelson, Democrat of Florida and his Republican colleague Mel Martinez known as the “Dream Act”.
Essentially, the “Dream Act” would grant residency to students who can show residency within the United States for a minimum of 3-5 years, have graduated from high school and have not been in trouble with the law. They would be entitled to enlist in the military or attend state colleges or universities. Upon completing a six-year probationary period, they could be eligible for permanent residency. The Obama administration supports the “Dream Act” and it could be an important initial step toward meaningful immigration reform.
The “Dream Act” is consistent with U.S. policy toward education. The U.S. Supreme Court in 1982 ruled in Plyler v. Doe that undocumented children could not be denied access to a public school education but that does not include college or university level. Immigration reform should be designed to protect the best interests of this country, which include trying to help the best and the brightest within its borders.
Senators Nelson and Martinez deserve the support of Congress in passing the “Dream Act”, which they cosponsored, for the good of all.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Sen. Nelson rallies against student's deportationSen. Bill Nelson wants the deportation of college student Walter Lara halted. Nelson says Lara illustrates the need for the DREAM Act. •
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami-dade/story/1118685.htmlSen. Bill Nelson has called for authorities to halt the deportation of a Miami man whose immigration story has inspired protests and riled up immigration activists throughout South Florida.
In a letter last week addressed to a top federal immigration official, Nelson praised Walter Lara, a 23-year-old who is to be deported July 6. He called him ''exactly the type of person'' a new immigration bill is ''trying to help.'' Lara's story ''vividly illustrates'' the need for Congress to pass the DREAM Act, Nelson, a Democrat, said.
The bill would grant certain immigrants who graduate from U.S. high schools conditional permanent residency.
Lara received top scores in high school and college. He moved to Miami from Argentina when he was three. After graduating from Miami-Dade Honors College in 2007 he became a computer technician.
Both Florida senators -- Nelson and Republican Sen. Mel Martinez -- are co-sponsoring the bill along with about 25 others. Similar legislation in the House is supported by several South Florida lawmakers.
On June 23, more than 40 students and educators rallied against Lara's deportation at the College.
The protest was part of a nationwide campaign to raise awareness of the DREAM Act, which Congress failed to pass in 2007. President Obama has publicly supported the bill, which was reintroduced in March. Lara was arrested by immigration authorities in February while installing satellite dishes for DirecTV.
Nelson called for Homeland Security Department officials, who enforce the nation's immigration laws, to act before July 6.
Lara ''has earned the chance to live and work here and call America home,'' Nelson wrote.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Sign Sen. Bill Nelson's Letter on Behalf of Walter Lara •
http://causaoregon.blogspot.com/2009/06/sign-sen-bill-nelsons-letter-on-behalf.htmlWalter Lara is a 23 year-old honor student facing deportation on July 6, 2009. Walters family immigrated from Argentina when he was three years old. He has only known life as an American, and proudly declares that the United States is my home.
U.S. Senator Bill Nelson wrote the Department of Homeland Security on Walter's behalf, requesting that they defer action on Walter's deportation because "he has earned the chance to live and work here and call America home."
***********Sign onto Sen. Nelson's letter and on Thursday, July 2, 2009, we will deliver Sen. Nelson's letter with your co-signature to the Department of Homeland Security.
Sign on to Senator Bill Nelson's Letter on Behalf of Walter Lara by linking HERE*********** •
INFOWARSTV Video "I'm Being Deported - Walter Lara"~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~This is sad news... I was listening to WBAI this evening and heard of this for the first time. The kid seems genuine, and certainly isn't a threat to this nation.. in fact, I'd go as far to say that he's probably more a patriot that some of the law makers that would have him deported!!
I'm going to sign the petition to put a stop on his deportation... supposedly the Senator is on his side, so why can't he call up his people, get on the horn with immigration and put an end to this crap? Why must they still play this little charade for the cameras...? Or will he really be deported? I surely hope not.....
-Chris
