34,448 Illegal Immigrants Spared Deportation

[Jeanfromfillmore]

Here is an example of those that they're giving a pass/amnesty to.

Colotl allowed to remain in U.S. for another year
As Jessica Colotl sat in a classroom taking a final exam at Kennesaw State University Tuesday, federal immigration officials sent word she can remain in the country for another year. Colotl, an illegal immigrant brought to this country as a child, was nearly deported to Mexico last spring following an arrest for a traffic violation on campus, but the federal government granted her a yearlong deferment so she could complete a degree in political science.
That reprieve was set to expire Thursday.
Colotl is among several illegal immigrant college students across the country who received temporary reprieves in recent weeks, according to published reports. Students living in Connecticut, Florida and Texas saw their deportations halted following a federal review of their cases. Federal immigration officials didn't have statistics on how many deferments occurred recently and wouldn't say if they are part of a conscious effort.
But the decisions follow a political push to suspend deportation of these students and pushback from some groups, who argue students like Colotl occupy space in America's colleges that should go to legal citizens. .
On Monday, as Colotl prepared to take her final exams, she said she considers herself an American.
"I think I deserve the right to be recognized as an American on paper because I believe in the American system and I believe in American values," Colotl said. "I am no different than any other American."
On Friday President Obama renewed his support for the DREAM Act, which would provide a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants like Colotl brought to this country as children. They would have to meet several criteria, including completing at least two years of college.
The bill has been introduced in multiple forms over the past decade, but has yet to pass. While it has bi-partisan support, some Republicans blocked it last year.
Supporters say these children have the potential to contribute to this country and should not be punished for their parents' mistakes. Critics say the bill provides amnesty to those who broke the law and that it could increase illegal immigration.
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said last month deporting illegal immigrant students is not a high priority for the agency responsible for protecting the nation's borders.
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Meanwhile states, including Georgia, are passing their own laws. Georgia lawmakers debated a bill to ban illegal immigrants from all public colleges but it did not pass.
That bill will be re-introduced, said Sen. Don Balfour, R-Snellville. He doubted the DREAM Act would become a reality.
"The DREAM is literally a dream and it's time for the federal government to follow the law," Balfour said. "I'm happy she's finally filing paperwork and following legal channels now, but let's not forget that the law is the law."
The deferment means Colotl can walk at graduation May 11. She picked up her cap and gown, but hasn't allowed herself to try it on yet.
She wants to remain in Georgia permanently. She plans to work at a law firm next year and then go to law school. Her deferment, which came as a surprise to her attorney Charles Kuck, included a provision that allows her to work, he said. She wants to be an immigration attorney.
Colotl scheduled three finals Tuesday afternoon and could not be reached for comment. She rushed to finish her exams before Thursday, the day her deferment was originally set to expire.
Colotl was 11 when her parents brought her here. Over the past year, the 22-year-old has been in and out of courtrooms and spent 37 days in a detention center.
"It's been a a nightmare and I can't wait until it's over," she said. "I'm a firm believer everything happens for a reason so I'm stuck in this situation and at the end of the day I'm going to see why it really happened to me."
Georgia has long debated illegal immigration and higher education, but Colotl's arrest re-ignited the issue.
There was public outcry that KSU President Daniel Papp spoke to federal officials on her behalf and that the college wrongly charged her in-state tuition. At that time, illegal immigrants were allowed to attend public colleges but were required to pay the higher out-of-state tuition rates.
The regents have since tweaked the policy and illegal immigrants can't attend any college that turns away academically qualified students. This applies to: University of Georgia, Georgia State University, Georgia Tech, Georgia Health Sciences University and Georgia College & State University. Illegal immigrants may attend other colleges, including KSU, provided they pay out-of-state tuition.
Colotl's legal troubles aren't over. Kuck said they will need to request another extension next year and was unsure if she would receive a third one.
"If I'm denied the opportunity to remain in the United States I will still have my education," Colotl said. "No one will be able to take it away from me because that is something I earned myself."
http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-poli...in-934097.html

[Twoller]

Jean, that is an important observation and suggests another strategy to stomp out illegals in the upper education system.

Where are these graduates going to get jobs? They can't become citizens and they can't seek employment. Anyone who hires them is breaking the law. If we can't stomp them going in to the educational system, we can at least stomp them going out.

What sense does it make paying for the education of illegal immigrants if they can't use the education they get? But here is a potential argument in favor: The upper education illegals get serves to advance them in their country of origin. But that doesn't make any sense either. Say you were to pay for illegals upper education on the assurance they would leave upon graduation. But we can't throw them out now as they enter upper education. We really should be able to throw them out as soon as we can see they are illegals when they apply for an education. But we can't even do that. The whole thing is turned completely on its head. Instead of having the opportunity to throw them out, we are obliged to pay for the education they applied for. How does anyone know that they are illegal when they apply?

But we at least have some momentum in policing the hiring of illegal immigrants and we can make a special effort to hunt down those exiting the upper education system as they try to look for jobs to punish those who would hire them.

This rat wants to become an immigration lawyer. But what is the possibility of an illegal getting a license to practice law in the US. Is that possible?

[Jeanfromfillmore]

Here is another case that Holder is trying to use to stop deportations.

"This was an extraordinary measure by the Obama administration and demonstrates a clear commitment to nullify the Defense of Marriage Act," Mundy said of Holder's action. "It's a far-reaching victory not only for same-sex couples but for immigration reform."

The Obama administration in February said it would no longer defend the Defense of Marriage Act in court.

Holder wanted the immigration judges to reconsider the case before the federal appeals court took up the gay couple's constitutional challenge, said Justice Department spokeswoman Tracy Schmaler.

People who are facing deportation can ask immigration judges let them stay in the U.S.

To qualify for a "cancellation of removal," a person must have been in the U.S. 10 years and have a qualifying relative, such as an American citizen spouse or children. The person also must show good moral character and that the deportation will cause "exceptional and unusual hardship" to the qualifying relative.

Lavi Soloway, a New York immigration attorney and founder of Immigration Equality, a group that advocates for the immigration rights of gay couples, said he considers Holder's decision good news for gay people. Gay couples are barred from sponsoring their partners for immigration visas and denied other immigration benefits provided heterosexual couples.

"This is the right path. Until Congress can pass legislation to remedy this, the executive branch can and should act," Soloway said.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011...#ixzz1LYILiuhv