College Student “Every year there are 65,000 undocumented students who gradu-
ate high school in the United States, these are young people
Faces
Deportation
By: Emma Watson
In 28 days a young student faces deportation from the only home
he has ever known for one little mistake. Rigo Padilla a 21 year-
old, A-student from the University of Illinois turned heads today
at Chicago City Hall as the council agreed to back the resolution
attempting to stop the deportation of Padilla.
Despite the fact Rigo has been living in the United States since he
was 6 years old, the only home he knows, he now faces deporta-
tion December 16.
Padilla entered Immigrations radar last January during a misde-
meanor traffic incident, after he rolled through a stop sign return-
ing home from watching a football game at a friend’s house and
had willingly admitted to having a few beers.
“It was a mistake that I made that I am sorry for, but as a result
I face being deported in 28 days, December 16th, and being
separated from a country that I’ve been in for 15 years. I will
be separated from my family, my friends, and my education… I
consider this country my home,” said Padilla.
Joshua Hoyt Executive President of The Illinois Coalition for Im-
migration and Refugee Rights was at the press conference today
sponsoring Padilla.
ICIRR is dedicated to promoting the rights of immigrants and
refugees to full and equal participation in the civic, cultural,
social, and political life of our diverse society.
Hoyt and the ICIRR have been advocates for more than just
Padilla’s case but similar cases that take place every year. Cases
that would be covered under the proposed ‘DREAM Act’ (The
Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act) that
has been tied up in congress since 2006, designed specifically for
instances like Padilla.
brought here by their parents,
Congress has failed to sign the immigration reform law, and as
a result these students are stuck, unable to work, their futures on
hold, unable to go to college.” Hoyt said.
“It wasn’t until senior year of high school that I realized I was
undocumented, and could not attend the schools of my choice,”
said Padilla.
Padilla despite financial burdens has continued to work full time
and go to school full time to support his dreams of an education.
“I admire his courage and motivation, and despite the fact that
he is facing deportation he has continued to come to school,
word hard, and obtain the highest marks in class,” said Nilda
Flores-Gonzalez Ph.D. associate professor in Sociology and Latin
American and Latino Studies at UIC.
The resolution “recommended unanimously by The Human Rela-
tions Committee, ‘these children should be able to legalize their
status, and in particular deportation of these children should be
stopped.’” said Hoyt.
“Let me just say that the reason I’m sponsoring this resolution-
along with my colleagues, is because it is time to reform a broken
immigration system-we know that. But I think its time that this
country goes back to its values of opportunity and fair-minded-
ness.” said Alderman George A. Cardenas (12th Ward).
Padilla says despite the fear his family is trying to continue with
everyday activities. He also has been studying for his LSATS
and dreams of becoming an attorney someday if he is able to stay
home and continue his education.
“With out any support system what so ever he has been able to
educate himself, to pay for his education, to work hard, to pay his
taxes, to give back to his community-that’s who I want to be part
of this country, that’s the country I want to retain… I think its
time to go back to the principles that this country stands for,” said
Cardenas.