Nelson, Brown Champion Rights of Honor Student Facing Deportation

6/29/2009

In three days, Walter Lara Faces Deportation to a Country He has Never Known

 
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Congresswoman Corrine Brown (D-FL) are being lauded for their efforts to stop the deportation of Walter Lara, a 23 year-old honor student facing deportation this 4th of July weekend. Lara arrived in the United States when he was three years old, and was raised as an American with no knowledge of his immigration status until he was applying for college at age 18.

In a letter to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Senator Nelson urged a review of Walter’s case and a deference of action on the deportation.

Additionally, Congresswoman Brown introduced a “personal bill” to halt Walter’s deportation. Walter’s only hope to remain in this country is through a review of his case by the Department of Homeland Security by this Thursday, July 3rd.

“Senator Nelson and Congresswoman Brown should be praised for their actions to halt the deportation of Walter Lara, an intelligent young professional who was raised as an American from age three and knows no other country but ours,” said Bruce Lesley, President of First Focus, a bipartisan children’s advocacy organization urging the Administration to stay Walter’s deportation. “Walter’s story is the epitome of the American Dream. He has taken advantage of every opportunity provided to him and has given back to this country and his community whenever possible. Our nation’s investments in Walter’s education will be squandered if he is deported. As our nation approaches the birth of its freedom, it is terribly ironic that we are deporting Walter to a country he has never known.”

“I am extremely hopeful that the private bill I introduced will assist in “staying” Walter Lara’s deportation. Clearly, Mr. Lara is a hard working, studious young man, who would like nothing more than to be given the chance to remain in the United States and become a productive member of our country, ” stated Congresswoman Corrine Brown (D- FL).

Walter Lara graduated from Miami Dade college with honors, and graduated from high school with an astounding 4.7 GPA and more than 1,000 hours of community service. He was recently featured in editorials by the New York Times and Miami Herald.

Click Here to read more about Walter Lara.

To schedule an interview, please contact:
Christopher Spina at chriss@firstfocus.net  
202.657.0677 or at 202.674.2450 (mobile)

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Background:
The DREAM Act, introduced into the House and Senate on March 26, would prevent the situation facing Walter Lara today, by providing legal status for young people who were brought to the U.S. years ago as undocumented immigrant children through no fault of their own. For the estimated 2 million high school graduates effected, who continue on to college or military service, the DREAM Act would provide a pathway to legal residency.