The United States immigration system is not necessarily clear or even consistent at times. Although both the Department of Homeland Security and the Obama administration have said that low-level offenders may not face deportation, that does not appear to always be the case. Moreover, individual states are either passing or proposing laws to make life more difficult for undocumented immigrants. At the same time, though, many in California and elsewhere are fighting for laws that would allow immigrants to more easily undergo the citizenship and naturalization process.
Two such men who attend Pasadena City College recently returned from Alabama. The two are undocumented immigrants, and they went to Alabama to purposefully be arrested so as to protest a law that has been proposed by a state lawmaker. That law, if passed, would prevent undocumented children from attending a public school.
At this time, it remains unclear if they will be deported. They were released from a deportation center on their own recognizance and were ordered to report to California immigration officials. However, they believe their actions were worthwhile so as to bring attention to the DREAM Act.
The DREAM Act is currently pending legislative action in Congress. If passed, the act would allow undocumented immigrants who were brought here as minors to pursue citizenship and naturalization under certain circumstances. First, they would have to refrain from criminal activity. Secondly, they would have to be pursuing a college education or serve in the military. In the meantime, legal assistance is often available to those who are seeking an adjustment in their immigration status or who wish to become United States citizens.
Source: The Pasadena Star-news, “PCC DREAM act fighters return home,” Brian Charles, Dec 08, 2011
