Would your university stand behind you if you were detained? Was Eric only able to stay because he is a student at Harvard?
Either way, this notable case will move us closer to the DREAM Act.
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Harvard student won’t face deportation Boston Globe
Officials: Harvard student will not be deported Yahoo News
Sat Jun 19, 1:47 am ETBOSTON – An undocumented Harvard University student is no longer facing deportation to Mexico after being detained nearly two weeks ago by immigration authorities at a Texas airport, officials said.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said late Friday that they would not pursue the deportation of Eric Balderas. The 19-year-old was detained June 7 after he tried to use a university ID card to board a plane from San Antonio to Boston.
ICE spokesman Brian P. Hale told The Boston Globe that Balderas had been granted deferred action, which can be used to halt deportation based on the merits of a case.
Balderas, who previously had used a Mexican passport to board planes but recently lost it, told The Associated Press that he became despondent and thought he was being deported to Mexico immediately, only to be released the next day.
According to a Facebook page set up to highlight his case, Balderas was brought to the U.S. from Mexico by his family at age 4. He said he doesn't remember living in Mexico.
He's studying molecular and cellular biology at Harvard and hopes to become a cancer researcher. He said he qualified for Harvard's privately-funded scholarship package.
Harvard officials immediately threw support behind Balderas after his detainment. "Eric Balderas has already demonstrated the discipline and work ethic required for rigorous university work, and has, like so many of our undergraduates, expressed an interest in making a difference in the world," said Christine Heenan, Harvard's vice president of public affairs and communications. yahoo news.
The case also sparked a buzz on social media sites and among student immigrant activists who see the Balderas situation as the ideal test case to push the proposed DREAM act — a federal bill that would allow illegal immigrants a pathway to citizenship via college enrollment or military service.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said late Friday that they would not pursue the deportation of Eric Balderas. The 19-year-old was detained June 7 after he tried to use a university ID card to board a plane from San Antonio to Boston.
ICE spokesman Brian P. Hale told The Boston Globe that Balderas had been granted deferred action, which can be used to halt deportation based on the merits of a case.
Balderas, who previously had used a Mexican passport to board planes but recently lost it, told The Associated Press that he became despondent and thought he was being deported to Mexico immediately, only to be released the next day.
According to a Facebook page set up to highlight his case, Balderas was brought to the U.S. from Mexico by his family at age 4. He said he doesn't remember living in Mexico.
He's studying molecular and cellular biology at Harvard and hopes to become a cancer researcher. He said he qualified for Harvard's privately-funded scholarship package.
Harvard officials immediately threw support behind Balderas after his detainment. "Eric Balderas has already demonstrated the discipline and work ethic required for rigorous university work, and has, like so many of our undergraduates, expressed an interest in making a difference in the world," said Christine Heenan, Harvard's vice president of public affairs and communications. yahoo news.
The case also sparked a buzz on social media sites and among student immigrant activists who see the Balderas situation as the ideal test case to push the proposed DREAM act — a federal bill that would allow illegal immigrants a pathway to citizenship via college enrollment or military service.
1 comment:
I want him to tell me that he is not going to allow in a Country of Laws that a Reward will be given to ILLEGAL INVADERS. That anyone that enters from this point on a back ground check is done that is creditable. When anyone is found to be here without being a Legal Citizen or on a legal Visa they are deported from now on. http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-immigrant-felons-20100607,0,251944.story That when an Immigrant is given Citizenship they must complete a 3-5 year probation period. If in that time they commit a felony they will be deported without OUR CIVIL RIGHTS at their disposal to delay they deportation and cost us more while they are here. That unless a child is born in the USA without at least one biological parent being a USA Citizen that child is not a USA Citizen. The DREAM ACT not be passed unless it includes: Each applicant must show they have the financial means to support themselves and pay all fees/tuition/rent/board etc. without ANY FEDERAL MONEIS going to their support. Each applicant must pass a back ground check and while in the USA are on probation with the understanding they will be deported if committing a felony. During this time of a DREAM ACT VISA they will not at any time take a leave from school to extend their stay in the USA.
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