In a little over a month Rigo Padilla faces deportation.
He is a college student who made a mistake - drinking and driving. I wrote a blog post and interviewed Padilla in August.
This morning a group of immigrant rights activists including Ald. George Cardenas and Ricardo Estrada, executive director of the Erie Neighborhood House, and students supporters will gather at City Hall to show their support of Padilla.
Padilla was arrested for drinking and driving in January. He admitted to police that he had "a few beers" while watching a football game with friends. He planned to only drive eight blocks from a friend's house to his own. He was stopped before he made it home after rolling through a stop sign.
Nobody was hurt in the incident and Padilla was given supervision, which under Illinois law wouldn't even result in a conviction, according to his immigration attorney.
But in the legal process it was discovered that he is undocumented. The 21-year-old was brought here from Mexico by his parents when he was 6 years old.
He grew up thinking he was American and didn't even learn he was undocumented until his parents told him when he applied for college.
Now he faces a future in Mexico, a country that he barely knows. Aside from this one mistake, he has excelled in school and been a leader in the community.
"I'm not sure what I would do in Mexico," Padilla told me. "...It's going to be hard and I'm not looking forward to it."
Padilla made a serious mistake. But I don't think he should be deported for a first offense that won't even result in a conviction.
Students like Padilla need the DREAM Act, proposed legislation which would allow immigrants who came here as minors and complete two years of college or military service, to become legal permanent residents.
It makes more sense to develop the potential of these students instead of throwing it away.
Filed under: Hispanic, immigration, politics
Tags: @newsfront, deportation, Dream Act, DUI, Mexico, Rigo Padilla
I'm sorry if i offend you miss Teresa.
while i find what you are trying to do for immigrant youth to be admirable, i must disagree with your defense of Rigoberto Padilla.
as a fellow dream act candidate, i appreciate your support; however, Mr. Padilla (in my mind) blew it for himself as well as further in powering the stigma that we already have to contend with as foreign nationals in america. i don't live in a "sanctuary" city surrounded by supporters. i live in the south, where my neighbors would rather see me forced on a bus to mexico then let me get on a bus bound for basic training. i understand all too well how unfair the system is; but, demanding rights will do nothing. look at Alonso Chehade's case, that was a "mistake" not drinking and driving. he is a much better person to lead us. i'm sure Mr. Padilla is sincerely sorry; in a country that treats immigrant youth with such unconditional scrutiny, there are no second chances.
from within the shadows,
Ramiro
i wish i could have contacted you in privet, but i couldn't find your e-mail address.
It is unfortunate for Rigo Padilla to be held responsible for his parent's irresponsible and illegal behavior that occurred when he was only six years old. The parents endangered this boy's welfare when they came to this country illegally. The parents were breaking the law and also forced their child to break the law. This is a terrible example to set.
Now, Rigo broke the law and then the truth comes out about being an illegal immigrant. Drinking and driving is a serious offense and it should not be taken lightly. Are we supposed to feel sorry that he broke the law and put innocent people in danger? What if Rigo killed someone during this short trip? He needs to be punished for this.
Rigo will now have to pay for his parent