Vigil Thursday for Undocumented Pebblebrook Grad Facing Deportation

From Dulce Guerrero, DREAM ACTivist:

, 21, has lived in the United States since the age of 11. He came to the United States with his mother who was escaping poverty in their home country. Jesus is a recent graduate of Pebblebrook High School and an aspiring college student. His imminent deportation is standing in the way of all that.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) denied Cruz’s request to drop his case, which the Obama Administration has claimed that it is willing to do for young people like him who are eligible for the DREAM Act and do not have a criminal background.

This process, known as “prosecutorial discretion,” is a lie, according to Cruz.

"Although president Obama has openly stated that Dream students like me are not a priority for deportation, I see that one big lie,” he says. “I have now turned to my community and am counting on their support to be able to stay".

Cruz wishes to remain in the U.S. and achieve his longterm dream of becoming an immigration attorney to be able to help his community navigate the very system that threatens him today. Jesus’ next immigration court appearance is Monday.

Cruz would qualify for the DREAM Act, a narrowly tailored bill that majorities in both the House and the Senate voted to support in December of 2010.

Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and President Obama have both stated that deporting DREAM-eligible youth is not a priority. According to the factors set forth in the Prosecutorial Discretion Memo issued by ICE Director Morton, Cruz is not a priority for removal by DHS and merits a favorable exercise of discretion. He has never committed a crime. Supporters are asking that his deportation be stopped so he can continue his growth as a contributor to our society.