Honor student faces 10-year ban from US

[Judi Lynn]

Honor student faces 10-year ban from US
ZACH PATBERG, The Record
Published 03:15 p.m., Friday, March 11, 2011


WOODLAND PARK, N.J. (AP) — Vidal Tapia is by all accounts International High School's brightest prospect. A teacher-described "pillar of strength" at the Paterson school, he carries a 4.0 GPA, a National Honor Society membership and a slew of community service hours. He was tapped as his class's valedictorian to give the commencement address in June. Eventually, he wants to work for NASA.

But his plans might fall short of even graduation, not because of any academic problems, but rather an immigration snare. By next week, the 19-year-old senior could be sent back to his native Mexico, barred from returning to the United States for a decade.

Tapia immigrated here illegally about five years ago. Since then, his petition for U.S. residency has been accepted and an interview for a green card was scheduled for Wednesday at the consulate in Ciudad Juarez. But because he unlawfully crossed the border and now is an adult, he is likely to face a 10-year ban from setting foot on U.S. soil, regardless of whether he qualifies for residency status. That would mean no commencement speech in June, no diploma in the near future and no American job possibilities until he's in his 30s.

~snip~
Had the DREAM Act passed Congress last year, Tapia undoubtedly would be a prime candidate. That legislation would have permitted undocumented students to pursue higher education and citizenship. Tapia has already taken a statistics class at Passaic County Community College and began college-level algebra before being removed because of his immigration status. After completing a 12-week engineering program at Fairleigh Dickinson University, he was offered a $10,000 scholarship to attend the university full time.

More:
http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Honor-student-faces-10-year-ban-from-US-1079041.php

[Lucky Luciano]

1. That sucks. I would sign a petition in his favor. nt

[BillyJack]

2. That's a 'toughy'. We want to be citizens who uphold the value of "the law".

He DID knowingly cross into the US illegally.....

It's very unfortunate that the DREAM Act didn't pass last year, but it didn't pass.

I think this is a very sad case, but if I were a judge I'd have to go with 'the law'. At least it's only a ten year ban - not a lifetime ban (which I thought it would be).

There is an idealogical problem with saying, I want to be an 'upstanding citizen' who broke the law to be here in the first place, if you know what I mean....

(Please don't flame me).

[Vincardog]

3. Right our DOJ is SO vigorous in applying the LAW equally Get back to me when jr is indicted & jailed

[Demeter]

5. +15 Trillion BRAZILLIAN!

One would think someone in charge would think....

[BillyJack]

7. Yes, I KNOW (believe me I know) that the law is not applied equally. n/t

[SharonAnn]

4. Such draconian laws, though. He's just the kind of citizen we really want.

And it would be a shame to lose him for ten years and lose the investment he (and we) have made in his future.

[Demeter]

6. It's Calvinism, Writ into Law

Only those pre-ordained by God can gain the Kingdom of Heaven...the rest are consigned to hell, no matter what their good deeds or sterling character may be.

And furthermore, it doesn't matter what crimes the pre-ordained (Bushites) commit--they can never be deported, indicted, imprisoned, nothing! the ultimate get out of jail card! Even better than being "forgiven".

[swilton]

9. I don't think he should be treated as exceptionally 'qualified'

and that the existing laws should be bent to allow him to come in because he is gifted.

I believe that we should welcome immigrants to this country because we have been a country of immigrants (to include the pilgrims who were welcomed by the true 'citizens') and because every immigrant who wants to come to this country has something to offer.

[1monster]

8. Five years ago he would have been fourteen years old. So, did he knowingly

cross the border on his own? Or was he brought into this country illegally by his parents. Apparently he has been trying to make things legal, but because he reached his majority before everything was finalized, he is to be punished.

[BillyJack]

10. He's NOT being "punished". It's just what the law says/requires in this instance

He must live with the rules of law in this country. And the law says that he must stay out for 10 years as a CONSEQUENCE of his breaking the law.

Frankly, with some thought, the OP is asking for this person to be given "special consideration" b/c he is a good student, just the sort of citizen we need, etc., etc....

Isn't this the sort of thing that most of us "regular people" are railing AGAINST?

People not following/being held to the law b/c they are "special" (be it good grades, good leadership, a wealthy family/contribution).

[1monster]

11. Punitive law equals student is being punished, as are all children who fall

into a similar situation, ademically brilliant or not.

As for "special" treatment, this country gave special treatment to high up Nazis, who did their best to destroy Europe and this country in their quest for more power. The name Wernher von Braun ring a bell. Apparently, it was okay to give special treatment to war criminals, but not okay to develop (and pass) a fair program for those brought here through no criminal action of their own and allow them a path to citizenship.

And why should a ten year ban apply to a person who was brought here in their minority -- the law breaking was not their doing.

[kas125]

12. It shouldn't be a "toughy" though. He is being punished

for something he didn't do. It wasn't his decision to come here as a child so he's not the one who broke 'the law.'