DREAM ACT Juan Starts College

Teen facing deportation starts college
Posted on Wed, Aug. 29, 2007
BY KATHLEEN McGRORY
Miami Herald
kmcgrory@MiamiHerald.com


While facing deportation proceedings last month, Juan Gomez doubted he would ever attend college in the United States.

But on Wednesday morning, the 18-year-old Killian grad arrived on Miami Dade College's Kendall campus, smiling and ready to get to work.

He was mobbed by news cameras.

Despite the cheerful atmosphere on his first day of school, Gomez's future remains in limbo. The clock is ticking on the 45-day stay of deportation allowing him and his family to remain in the country.

Gomez and his older brother Alex, both Colombian natives, were brought to South Florida as toddlers. Their parents overstayed their short-term visas, allowing the boys to grow up in South Florida. Juan Gomez was a standout student. Alex Gomez excelled in athletics.

In July, immigration agents seized the boys and their parents from their Kendall home and began their deportation proceedings.

But the boys' teenage friends rallied to stave off their removal. The effort caught the attention of Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart, who, in early August, introduced a private bill on the boys' behalf.

Immigration officials have granted the family a 45-day stay of deportation while Congress considers the proposed legislation.

The deadline is Sept. 14...

for complete article: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/breaking_dade/story/218899.html