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Chicago Rallies Around Student Facing Deportation

Wow! If he can fight his drunk-driving conviction and stay, then this could open up a whole new can of worms for the Dream Act. Also, it will give hope to those Dreamers, who may or will be "imperfect".

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Chicago Rallies Around Student Facing Deportation

When Rigoberto Padilla arrived to the United States at the age of six from Mexico, he was a stranger to Chicago. Now, 15 years later and dubbed an "illegal alien," he is undergoing deportation proceedings - and Chicago has rallied around him.

Advocates say the campaign to stop Padilla's deportation is about more than just this one case. They hope the pressure applied through community activism and the Chicago City Council Human Rights Committee's plan to debate a resolution about the deportation of Padilla and other Chicago-based undocumented students like him in November 2009 will bring attention to what they consider a broken immigration system.

"There is an identity crisis for undocumented students," Padilla said in a phone interview. "There is no going back to Mexico for me because all that I have is here, but there is no moving on here in this country without the legal recognition that I am American."

The battle to pass legislation offering a path to legalization for the more than 65,000 undocumented students graduating from high school in America each year continues, while The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act, sponsored by Sen. Richard Durban (D-Illinois) and Sen. Richard Lugar (R-Indiana) in 2001, is still stalled.

The DREAM Act calls for the creation of a path to legalization for students brought to America as minors. In its most recent incarnation, the bill called for temporary, legal residence to be offered to those students who had graduated from high school in America, lived in the US for at least five consecutive years, were of "good moral character" and were enrolled in college or planned to serve in the military.

Though Senator Durbin has said he will continue to push for the DREAM act as long as he "draws breath," but does not expect to see immigration reform on the table until the health care debate is resolved. Though the House has never voted on the DREAM Act as a stand-alone bill, and in 2007 it was eight votes short of overcoming a Republican filibuster, Durbin reintroduced it to both houses in March 2009, and, thus far, 101 representatives and 31 senators have co-sponsored the bill.

Undocumented students, as well as having limited job prospects, are not eligible for financial aid or credit, and those like Padilla who choose to pursue higher education do so out of pocket. The Immigration Policy Center estimates that only five to ten percent of undocumented students that graduate from high school attend university, compared to 67 percent for American citizens who enroll in university after graduation.

"I feel like we are doing what they say we should," Padilla said of his decision to attend college despite having to work two jobs to support himself, "but the legal government doesn't put up their end ... there's this huge amount of waste of talent."

Padilla, an honor student who led the Organization of Latin American Students at Harold Washington College and is now studying at the University of Illinois in Chicago, was picked up on a traffic violation on January 18, 2009. It was then ascertained that he was not a citizen, and while in Cook County Jail, he was interviewed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent, and shortly after transferred to a federal prison. There he was given the option to pay bond or wear an ankle bracelet to track his movements. He left with a misdemeanor drunk-driving conviction, an ankle bracelet and a court date.

Chicago's status as a "sanctuary city," passed as an executive order in 1985 by then-Mayor Harold Washington, prohibits city employees from enforcing immigration law. Padilla and city advocates have argued that his experience shows a violation of this ordinance.

Padilla has found wide support for his fight against the deportation order in this city he considers home. US Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Illinois), state Reps. Lisa Hernandez (D) and Gregory Harris (D), along with a number of Chicago aldermen, have expressed their support for an end to deportations in conjunction with Padilla's case.

The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights said "the removal of Rigoberto Padilla is a tragedy for him, his family, and our entire community." ICIRR's Executive Director Joshua Hoyt, was with Padilla when he marched with around two dozen people to the Chicago offices of the Department of Homeland Security, calling for immigration reform this August. With them, the marchers had more than 9,000 petitions in a box with a photo of 6-year-old Padilla taped to the front.

"The Obama Administration recognizes that our immigration system is broken, yet it continues its absurd path of enforcing our current laws even more vigorously, a path that will only ruin more lives like Rigo's and tear apart more families," said Hoyt. "Our nation needs workable solutions that uphold our nation's values and move us forward together."

Padilla is now counting down the days until his scheduled deportation - December 16 he will be on a flight to Mexico, a place he has not been since the age of six. In an open letter to Senator Durbin, Padilla, who hopes to become an immigration attorney, wrote: "I consider myself American, but I have been identified as Mexican and penalized for it. I have been in this country for 15 years and have struggled to continue my education with what little I have. I feel that I am not alone in this struggle."

http://www.truthout.org/1102098

Re: Chicago Rallies Around Student Facing Deportation

Drunken driving? What if he had injured/killed someone?

We all know that we should keep our noses clean and not cause any mischief because something like that will be tough to defend.

Drunken driving? Good luck.

Re: Chicago Rallies Around Student Facing Deportation

I have to agree. It's just like the girl that was going to get deported for fighting in school. Come on!! If you want to stay and this country and prove you are worth a lot for the US, you should definitely know better!

Be careful who you hang out with and what you do. We just do not have the luxuries to be going around doing whatever we want to. I can already see anti-immigration groups lining up saying: All illegals are troublemakers who just drive drunk and fight in schools, why do we want them.... when it is not so, but because of irresponsible people like this we all get blamed for it.

Not good.

Re: Chicago Rallies Around Student Facing Deportation

Everyone has a bad chapter in their life. I know plenty of citizens and non-citizens that are dealing with DUIs. Trust me, they're no fun. What amazes me is how quickly our immigration community is to condemn and back away from supporting the larger cause.

DUIs can be fought off, and I hope this case just highlights the need for CIR and other legal protections for immigrants.

Re: Chicago Rallies Around Student Facing Deportation

Um, that's a big No no. People convicted of DUI's don't deserve our support, they will only serve to undermine our cause!!! :-(

Re: Chicago Rallies Around Student Facing Deportation

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Originally Posted by CosmicDream (Post 145431)

I completely agree that everyone has a dark period in their life and that a DUI can be fought off. I'm not arguing any of that.

I just don't want this kid using the DREAM Act as a shield because it makes the entire DREAM population look bad. This guy is not a reflection of me, I know better than to Drink and drive. So please, don't say that I need to see the bigger picture because in actuality I am looking at the bigger picture and the bigger picture looks a lot nicer without trouble making drunk drivers.

Like I said, I feel bad for him and his family but I refuse to draw a connection between me, someone who has worked his ass off academically - has a perfect record - works to better that community, and someone who decided drunk driving.

Yes, that is exactly how I feel. The last thing I want is to be associated in the same cause with a felon and I believe I'm speaking for all of us as well.

Re: Chicago Rallies Around Student Facing Deportation

Too bad for this kid. If you're illegal, you should stay away from all forms of activities that's gonna land you in jail. It's just too bad that his mistake had to change his whole life.

Re: Chicago Rallies Around Student Facing Deportation

I feel bad for his family. I do not feel sorry for him for the drunk driving. This is NOT the situation that DREAM should be brought up in. The opposition will look at it as, "Oh look, they're trying to keep drunk driving illegal immigrants here with this!". Absolutely not.

He should be punished as anyone would.

Re: Chicago Rallies Around Student Facing Deportation

If his decision making is this bad when he's undocumented, imagine if he was a citizen :-?

Re: Chicago Rallies Around Student Facing Deportation

It pains me to write this, but

This board seems very divided on a lot of issues, it seems. When we say "dream act" we rally around it and show our support-;until we let our critics pick the weakest of the herd and devour them alive. Then we just look back and let him get chewed up and thrown away by the system. I am disgusted. Drunk driving is a mistake, no doubt, but it's 10x easier for a citizen to drive drunk and "snag" several DUIs and not get punished so far as to get deported to another country.

This is why immigration reform is needed. To bring those in the shadows into the light.

Re: Chicago Rallies Around Student Facing Deportation

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Originally Posted by stevieola (Post 145433)

Yes, that is exactly how I feel. The last thing I want is to be associated in the same cause with a felon and I believe I'm speaking for all of us as well.

DUI is a misdemeanor in most states, not a felony. For you to call him a felon is putting him at the same level of a rapist or murderer. Is that a fair representation of this individual?

Re: Chicago Rallies Around Student Facing Deportation

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Originally Posted by trovales (Post 145448)

DUI is a misdemeanor in most states, not a felony. For you to call him a felon is putting him at the same level of a rapist or murderer. Is that a fair representation of this individual?

Yes, because DUI can seriously injure and even kill innocent people. So in that sense, he is/was a potential murderer. Now, please use common sense; if we give him our support and attention, that will only be detrimental to our cause. What kind of message will that send to the mainstream? It'll only exacerbate oppositions' aims.

Re: Chicago Rallies Around Student Facing Deportation

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Originally Posted by stevieola (Post 145451)

I'm simply suggesting staying quiet about this so as not to make it a front page article in tomorrow's NYT, all of this in lieu of fighting amongst each other and showing a even a little bit of solidarity to someone in the exact position as you, except he made a stupid decision "por una noche de copas".

I know people that have killed driven drunk and killed people in Mexico. Now those are murderers- they easily got off bribing the cop and having their rich dad buy them a newer, better car.

Sucks that when you are illegal immigrant, when you get caught by the law, you are automatically stripped of many civil and conscientious rights.

Re: Chicago Rallies Around Student Facing Deportation

Quote:

Originally Posted by trovales (Post 145453)

Yeah, I'll be amazed if this forum could get ANY attention from outside sources. Should that ever happen? I'm sure that most people will take sides with my opinion (which happens to be also majorities) and you'll only be scrutinized for your half-witted comments.

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I know people that have killed driven drunk and killed people in Mexico. Now those are murderers- they easily got off bribing the cop and having their rich dad buy them a newer, better car.

This is irrelevant because I could care less about all that crap you mentioned about Mexico simply due to the fact that we are NOT LIVING in Mexico!!! Yeah, there are many horrible things going on in this world that are so despicable that our hardships can't even compare to theirs; so suck it up and follow the law!

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Sucks that when you are illegal immigrant, when you get caught by the law, you are automatically stripped of many civil and conscientious rights.

Thank you captain obvious! Of course it sucks!!! Why do you think we are trying so hard to change things if things didn't suck? But that's expected when our mere presence itself in this country is considered to be against the law!!! I swear, you need to re-examine your logic before you post anything.

Re: Chicago Rallies Around Student Facing Deportation

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevieola (Post 145454)

See, this is precisely what I mean. You are reverting to insults and missing the entire point of my concerns. I'm simply saying that people who make mistakes are all around us. No one should get a DUI, but they are an everyday reality that is tearing apart our Latino communities. Just look at the numbers dude. Do you think you are so smart and impervious to peer pressure that you will never need to be protected under the law?

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Originally Posted by stevieola (Post 145454)

Thank you for reiterating my point: People in Mexico and Legal people in the US have it easier than illegal immigrants, who are walking a thin line in our society. One slip ends the dream. This "shut up, sit down or get out" mentality

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Originally Posted by stevieola (Post 145454)

Ok, so you win the shouting match. I guess I understand you need to vent your frustations somewhere, even if it is in an internet forum. Keep Obama's words in mind when he calls for civil debate and the end of vitriol.

Re: Chicago Rallies Around Student Facing Deportation

Quote:

Originally Posted by trovales (Post 145455)

I never even mentioned ANYTHING about me being smart, in fact, I'm a self-proclaimed idiot. Anyways, getting back to your statement "impervious to peer pressure that you will never need to be protected under the law?" None of my friends are stupid enough to drive under the influence, nor do they ever pressure me into doing dumb things that will get me into trouble. Shiit all comes down to a matter of personal responsibility, okay? That means you are also responsible for, not only your actions, but who you choose to be/hangout with! Even if Latino community is suffering from increase in DUI incidents like you say, it shouldn't be looked at as a fault of the entire ethnic community but rather as a fault of each individual who are responsible. Last time I checked, DUI is just like any other crime, meaning that it doesn't have anything to do with one's particular culture but rather stems from individuals carelessness to be responsible and obey the law.

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Well, that's good for immigrants in Mexico! Just in case you haven't realized, this is AMERICAAAA!!!!!!! *300 roar*

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Although I wouldn't exactly call this 'winning', thank you! I'm not frustrated by any means, I'm just trying to correct flaw in your logic.

Re: Chicago Rallies Around Student Facing Deportation

By the way, just wanted to mention one more thing regarding this whole shiit about peer pressure you just mentioned. I want to re-emphasize this just one more time. If I ever, I mean EVER, had friends who were retarded/evil/mean enough to tell me to do stupid things, I won't feel any peer pressure at all. I'll just be like Eric Cartman, "Fock you guys, I'm goin home!!!"

Re: Chicago Rallies Around Student Facing Deportation

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Originally Posted by stevieola (Post 145458)

Sigh. Pointing fingers doesn't help our cause! I wish some individuals would understand that. I don't know about you, but I don't want any individual, regardless of race, to face the horrors of facing uncivil deportation and being humiliated for violating a law he committed when he was young (being illegal)
Yes he drove drunk. So send him back to Mexico? Be reasonable not loud.

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevieola (Post 145458)

Well, that's good for immigrants in Mexico! Just in case you haven't realized, this is AMERICAAAA!!!!!!! *300 roar*

? You still didn't address my point- illegal immigrants in this country walk a thin line, some by choice, others by the choice of others.

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevieola (Post 145458)

Although I wouldn't exactly call this 'winning', thank you! I'm not frustrated by any means, I'm just trying to correct flaw in your logic.

My logic is not flawed, it just doesn't agree with your tendencies to show a lack of compassion and a self-dignifying stance

Re: Chicago Rallies Around Student Facing Deportation

Quote:

Originally Posted by trovales (Post 145462)

Sigh. Pointing fingers doesn't help our cause! I wish some individuals would understand that. I don't know about you, but I don't want any individual, regardless of race, to face the horrors of facing uncivil deportation and being humiliated for violating a law he committed when he was young (being illegal)
Yes he drove drunk. So send him back to Mexico? Be reasonable not loud.

Wow. I didn't really want to say this but you sir are an idiot. Yes, he violated the law and criminals should face some form of punishment, whether it may or may not be uncivilized to a certain degree. Yes he did drive DRUNK! Even when he wasn't supposed to be driving at all!!! That itself is violating multiple laws! Please point out to me where I said he should be sent to Mexico? I merely stated that this guy doesn't deserve our support and attention. Don't get me wrong, I hope things really work out for him.

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? You still didn't address my point- illegal immigrants in this country walk a thin line, some by choice, others by the choice of others.

Yes, and so do undocumented immigrants (notice how I used a politically correct term) in many other countries??? Did I ever say anything to counter your point that being undocumented in America sucks??? No, because it does suck and that's why we're fighting for change!!!

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My logic is not flawed, it just doesn't agree with your tendencies to show a lack of compassion and a self-dignifying stance

Hell yes your logic is flawed!!! You make faulty assumptions based on totally irrelevant topics and draw conclusions from things I've never even mentioned or stated. Here's the bottom line: THINK BEFORE YOU TALK!!! (or in this case POST)!!!

Re: Chicago Rallies Around Student Facing Deportation

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Originally Posted by CosmicDream (Post 145464)

This is where you're wrong. Immigration reform is NOT needed so that people who drink and drive can get away with it. Immigration reform/DREAM Act is needed to help those who have followed the rules, have tried their best to live their lives not bothering others and working towards a better life.

So please, shut your mouth.

DREAM Act is something that means the world to me. Once again, I refuse to allow some guy who make a stupid decision use it in his defense. He fucked up, and now has to pay for it. I'm sure he knew that a DUI is a certain deportation. Don't tell me im wrong, he was wrong.

Agreed :grin:

Re: Chicago Rallies Around Student Facing Deportation

Quote:

Originally Posted by CosmicDream (Post 145464)

This is where you're wrong. Immigration reform is NOT needed so that people who drink and drive can get away with it. Immigration reform/DREAM Act is needed to help those who have followed the rules, have tried their best to live their lives not bothering others and working towards a better life.

So please, shut your mouth.

DREAM Act is something that means the world to me. Once again, I refuse to allow some guy who made a stupid decision use it in his defense. He fucked up, and now has to pay for it. I'm sure he knew that a DUI is a certain deportation. Don't tell me im wrong, he was wrong.

I believe this debate is over, and I highly doubt each one is going to back down from their positions. We don't need people to butt in and give us their two cents. Thank you though.

Re: Chicago Rallies Around Student Facing Deportation

Quote:

Originally Posted by trovales (Post 145468)

Ok Mr. Goody Goody. Good luck with your goody goody life.

And bad luck with yours (STFU!!!).

Re: Chicago Rallies Around Student Facing Deportation

Quote:

Originally Posted by trovales (Post 145468)

I believe this debate is over, and I highly doubt each one is going to back down from their positions. We don't need people to butt in and give us their two cents. Thank you though.

Yes, so hopefully you finally learned to use some commonsense.

Re: Chicago Rallies Around Student Facing Deportation

The thing is that he did get drunk and drive.

It is not like a speeding ticket where you can argue 40miles or 42 miles.

Drinking alcohol is more close to black and white result. Not a gray result. Either you drank or not.

Anyway, I personally don't feel sorry for him. But I do agree with some people here that making excuses for being undocumented and get drunk and caught is very lame. It makes us hardworking individuals look bad in some ways.

Re: Chicago Rallies Around Student Facing Deportation

Quote:

Originally Posted by CosmicDream (Post 145464)

Well put

Re: Chicago Rallies Around Student Facing Deportation

We have to be much smarter then this guy. Let's learn from his mistake and move on. One of the requirements to be included under the Dream Act is "good moral character". This guy does not qualify anymore. I wish him the best of luck and better decisions.

Re: Chicago Rallies Around Student Facing Deportation

I think he has had more support from the people, legislators, and human right activists from Chicago, than from the people in here, which is kinda sad. Maybe through his case, he'll receive a stay of deportation. Then he'll be that much more active and vocal for the Dream Act. Not just for him, but for others as well.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/cityhal...111309.article