Grassroots Effort Halts Walter Lara's Deportation

categories: Advocacy and Activism, DREAM Act, Immigration Reform

Published July 02, 2009 @ 07:50PM PT

From America's Voice comes great news today:

[A]fter a strong coordinated effort this week, led by Dream Activist.org and SEIU, to allow Walter Lara to stay in this country, we've scored an important victory. Walter was granted a one-year stay of deportation today. The 23-year-old honor student will now get to spend this Fourth of July watching fireworks with his family in Florida instead of waiting to be deported to a country he's never known. Congratulations to everyone who worked to make this happen!

This was a effort initiated on the ground by local student organizers coordinating with the national Dream Graduation Day, then propelled through new media strategies by Dreamactivist.org and the SEIU. There have been stories of other Dreamers that hit the mainstream, but none so forcefully, enlisting allies like Kos and Senator Bill Nelson. This is not because Walter's story is unique--unfortunately, Walter's legal situation is all too common among ambitious undocumented youth. But today's result gives me hope in a time when hope is in short supply. Hope that the balance is tipping in favor of compassion and common sense.

Walter graciously thanked DHS Secretary Napolitano for exercising discretion to defer an action that made no sense to anyone--the deportation of an honor student who came to the U.S. at the age of three. He also looks forward, calling for Congress to remember the others who could benefit from the DREAM Act:

But even as the dust settles on this tremendous personal victory, my sights are clearly set on the struggle ahead to build a long-term future for me and the more than 2 million like me whose lives may be cut short and dreams deferred.

The action taken by the leaders in Congress and the Department of Homeland Security is an acknowledgment that our immigration laws are broken. The DREAM Act, if passed, would help people like myself, who came here through no fault of their own, stay in this country, be put on a path to citizenship and contribute to our nation.

Congratulations, Walter, and thanks to all who worked to make this day possible!

Share this Post

Comments (19)

Dave, this is proof that the American peoples' demand for secure borders is not about stopping immigration. If it was, this would not have turned out this way.

Posted by Charlie Reed on 07/03/2009 @ 04:09AM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- Like
Charlie, what do you mean?

Posted by Leigh Graham on 07/03/2009 @ 06:51AM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Like
Reply to thread
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by Charlie
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
I speculate that He was given this year (hopefully to be made permanent) because The powers understand that the majority of Americans want more tolerance in these situations. Dave is usually trying to sell the theory that America is made up of rascist, anti immigrant people. I do not think this would have happened in a hate filled country. We have a way to go but these shining moments restore My confidince in America. I understand Dave is trying to make a difference for the better, and I'm glad to see Him accentuate the positive for once. He does it once in a while maybe just to keep us guessing.

Posted by Charlie Reed on 07/03/2009 @ 08:30AM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- Like
With all due respect Charlie, I don't think that Dave is trying to sell the idea that America is made up of racists or nativists. However, as you can see from this site, they do exist and they most certainly have influenced the current broken system of immigration policies. I think there's a subtext here, which is that we are somehow "anti-America." I don't appreciate this. Dave and the rest of us are trying to make a difference to improve this nation and make it a better place for all the people living here. We love this country, too -- enough to critique it honestly, like you might do with a family member who has lost his/her way. I think this nation has great ideals but we have too often failed to live up to them. When we point this out, we do so with the intention of getting the nation back on track. We are some of the staunchest advocates for the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. So, I hope you are not suggesting that we are against America or other Americans. This is our country, too.

Posted by a d on 07/03/2009 @ 05:01PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Like
I should say that I can't speak for Dave. I just meant that this isn't what I gott out of reading his blogs.

Posted by a d on 07/03/2009 @ 07:29PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Like
* got

Posted by a d on 07/03/2009 @ 07:30PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Like
Reply to thread
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by Charlie
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
This was good news but he shouldn't be facing deportation in a year. If you were Native American, which illegal aliens would you want to see deported after centuries of murder, war-crimes, rape, expansionism, colonialization, slavery, and destruction of the environment? Rev. Bookburn - Radio Volta

Posted by Rev Bookburn on 07/03/2009 @ 03:29PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- 2 people like this comment. Like
Since I was born here on the North American continent, does that make me Native American?

Posted by elliot Foley III on 07/03/2009 @ 04:39PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Like
Europeans born on this continent are not Native Americans. More like descendents of illegal aliens.

Posted by Rev Bookburn on 07/05/2009 @ 07:06PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- 1 person likes this comment. Like
Reply to thread
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by Rev
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
I am slightly Iroquois, and I say after 300 years on this Continent, the rest of Me is welcome to stay. I would like to invite Walter to stay also.

Posted by Charlie Reed on 07/03/2009 @ 03:37PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- Like
thank you for your kind words - Dreamer

Posted by Alex Shqipe on 07/03/2009 @ 03:47PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Like
That was beautiful, Charlie. Thank you :-)

Posted by a d on 07/03/2009 @ 05:04PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Like
Reply to thread
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by Charlie
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
It's a 1-year repreive, guys.

Posted by Wire Paladin on 07/05/2009 @ 07:27AM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- Like
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by Wire
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
If it wasn't for the USA's imperialist terrorist ways, destroying the countries they invade and occupy through the destruction of small businesses and communities that have been together for decades if not centuries, it leaves people from these other countries not much of an option but to look for a "better life" for themselves.

"Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!" ~ Emma Lazarus, 1883

Posted by Corey Mondello on 07/07/2009 @ 04:09AM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- 1 person likes this comment. Like
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by Corey
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
The postings here are very disheartening. If we are no longer a nation of laws, then we are no longer a nation. Advocating reprieve for law-breakers does not make us a better nation, they weaken us.

This is not about immigration, I'm all for legal immigration - my wife is a legal immigrant. This is about people who cheat, who break the law, who didn't stand in line for permission to enter the country being rewarded for their deviancy, and it is a sad day for America.

Posted by Jeff Tyberg on 07/08/2009 @ 02:59PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- Like
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by Jeff
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
With all due respect, the "rule of law" rhetoric is a non-starter if you're interested in debating folks on a pro-migrant blog. We recognize this rhetoric for what it is: namely, a thin veil for racism and xenophobia. As such, it is not appreciated here. If you truly cared about the rule of law, you would have spoken out forcefully when George W. Bush was engaged in shredding the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Please do not refer to our undocumented friends as "criminals" or "deviants." This is extremely offensive to us. From our perspective, their only "crime" was to cross a border to search for work, which is a civil violation at best. In truth, undocumented migrants are far LESS likely to commit crimes than U.S. citizens.

http://yavebegnet.blogspot.com/2007/02/immigration-and-crime.html

Most people who are at all acquainted with the immigration system admit that it needs fixing. This is why we are calling for comprehensive immigration reform...because there is NO line for people to get into.

http://www.citizenorange.com/orange/2008/03/there-is-no-line.html

Keep in mind that you are on a pro-migrant blog and try to be respectful of everyone here. Many of the folks you refer to as "criminals" are honor students or folks who doing some of the hardest work in our society for low pay and low status. What is most disheartening is that they have to put up with so much racism, in addition to all the hardships they endure. Believe me, you are not going to convince anyone in the pro-migrant camp by displaying an utter lack of compassion for people who happen to be undocumented.

Posted by a d on 07/10/2009 @ 06:29PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- Like
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by a
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
All of us in these world we are migrant,everybody must keep in mind that you are on migrant wherever you live in soil of the country and try to be respectful of everyone everywhere. Many of the folks you refer to as "criminals" are honor students or folks who doing some of the hardest work in our society for low pay and low status. What is most disheartening is that they have to put up with so much racism, in addition to all the hardships they endure. Believe me.

Posted by Noel Miron on 07/19/2009 @ 11:10AM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- Like
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by Noel
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
Calling anyone who wants to enforce immigration laws a racist is just another way of saying your argument is purely emotional and not rational.

We've been waiting over 2 years to get my brother-in-law here legally after paying for his application. If there were not so many here IL-legally, he would have been here by now.

Just because people want to come here to work, doesn't give them the right to do so. Try going into Mexico illegally and see what happens to you!

Posted by Jeff Tyberg on 07/20/2009 @ 11:24PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- Like
There's no formal link between number of undocumented and visa admission levels. If you want to know the culprits for making your bro-in-law wait, who it is that successfully lobbies Congress to keep annual visa numbers at a level that makes siblings wait 11 years and some family members from Philippines and Mexico 20 years +, look no further than the orgs railing loudest against undocumented immigrants.

Try going into Mexico illegally and see what happens to you!

I think it's pretty common for U.S. citizens to break Mexican immigration laws. The point is, you don't need a visa to get into Mexico as an American, a passport will do. And the Mexicans don't care much unless you're a Central American trying to come in from the South.

Posted by Dave Bennion on 07/24/2009 @ 08:12PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Like
Reply to thread
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by Jeff
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply

Add a Comment

For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

Comment

Check Spelling

Email me when there are new posts to this thread
Comment Policy

Comments on Change.org are meant for further exploration and evaluation of the ideas covered in the posts. To that end, we welcome constructive comments. However, we reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive, abusive, or off-topic; that contain ad hominem attacks; or that are designed to subvert or hijack comment threads rather than contribute to them. Repeat offenders may be permanently removed from the site at our discretion.

Author

David is an attorney in Philadelphia, PA, where he helps immigrants to the U.S. navigate the complex immigration legal system. Views he expresses at change.org are his alone and don't represent the views or opinions of his employer, Nationalities Service Center. The information contained on this site is intended for educational and advocacy purposes only.