Miami valedictorian fighting deportation
By John Couwels, CNN
(CNN)
– An immigration judge has ruled two teenage girls, including a
Miami high school valedictorian, are to be deported for being in the
country illegally.
Daniela
Pelaez, 18, and her sister Dayana came to the United States with
their parents from Colombia 14 years ago and never left - overstaying
their tourist visas.
A
Miami immigration judge ruled this week that the two girls must be
deported to Colombia, leaving the teenagers in shock.
"Education
not deportation!" chanted fellow students Friday during a
protest outside the North Miami Senior High School, where Pelaez is
valedictorian.
The
high school senior has a 6.7 grade point average and is at top of her
class out of 823 students, said a school administrator.
"She's
a good citizen, besides being a brilliant girl," said North
Miami Senior High School administrator Larry Jurrist, who added he
can't understand why the judge decided to deport the girls.
Pelaez
told CNN anchor Suzanne Malveaux Friday that her family has been
battling to stay in the United States legally.
"Colombia
is my roots, but this is all I know," said Pelaez, who has
applied to continue her studies at several top-tier schools,
including Dartmouth College, Duke University and Trinity College.
The
teenager wants to study cellular and molecular biology for a career
in the medical field.
"What
I have worked for since I was 4 years old - to live the American
dream. And I feel like I earned it," she said.
The
teen was shocked by the judge's ruling since her brother was allowed
to become a citizen and is currently serving in the U.S. military. He
has toured in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Immigration
and Customs Enforcement spokesman Nestor Yglesias issued a statement
Thursday on the teens' case that read: "Daniela and Dayana
Pelaez have reserved the right to appeal an immigration judge's
decisions ordering them to return to Colombia. ICE will not take any
action against them while they pursue additional legal options."
The
federal agency could also decide to take no further action, allowing
the girls to remain in the United States.
"Can
you imagine that? Literally putting a postage stamp on her forehead
and send her packing,"
Michael
Wildes,
a professor at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, said about the
case.
"This
is completely out of character for our country," he told CNN. "I
know the courts and the prosecutor will do right by her."
Pelaez
said her attorney will appeal the judge's ruling and the teenager
hopes she will get the opportunity to stay in the United States so
she can decide in April which college to attend.
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