The media has reported on any number of really amazing American-raised young people who have been targeted for deportation despite the obvious contributions they can make to the country. The latest is Ayded Reyes in Califonia. ESPN reports
From the outside, Ayded Reyes seems like she's living the American dream.
The 20-year-old, who attends Southwestern College in Chula Vista near San Diego, is California's top-ranked women's junior college cross country athlete. She carries a 3.50 GPA and her goal is to become an obstetrician. She is also a community volunteer who has worked extensively with children and the elderly. She is a young woman many describe as sweet, effusive and energetic, the "All-American" type.
There's just one catch: She's in the United States illegally.
Reyes' parents brought her to the United States from Mexico illegally when she was 2 years old. She has no memory of Mexico and has four younger siblings who were born here and are legal, but Reyes faces the very real possibility of being sent back.
Reyes only ended up in proceedings because she and her boyfriend were in a parked car in a public park a half hour after closing time. Her boyfriend is a citizen, but the officer demanded she prove her US citizneship. Reyes was then jailed for five days. According to Reyes, ICE officials pressured her to agree to be deported, but she refused.
The report on Reyes upset her Congressman, Bob Filnes (D-CA) and he has filed a private bill to award her citizenship. Those bills rarely pass, but they can have the effect of delaying the process.
I'm also pleased that San Diego immigration lawyer Jacob Sapochnick is handling the case pro bono. Good luck Jacob!
