September 25, 2009
For Immediate
Release
ICE Seeks to Deport UW
Grad Despite Introduction of Private Bill in Congress
On
Wednesday, September 23, 2009, U.S. Congressman Jim McDermott, 7th
Congressional District in Seattle, introduced a private bill on behalf of
Jorge-Alonso Chehade, an immigrant from Peru who was faced with an order to
leave the country on September 25.
Chehade
came to the U.S. at age 14 without legal papers and has lived here since 2001. He
has made the most of his time in the U.S., distinguishing himself as a scholar,
student leader, and role model for other students. In 2005, Chehade graduated with honors from a
Washington high school, and is a recent graduate of the University of
Washington's Foster School of Business.
 Jorge Alonso-Chehad, UW grad
Chehade,
upon learning of the private bill, expressed his gratitude and hope: "I am incredibly thankful for all of this
support. I hope to have the opportunity to have a normal life in this country
that I have come to know and love and continue to contribute back to society."
The
introduction of the private bill gives life to Chehade's dream of U.S.
citizenship. If the private bill is approved by the U.S. Congress and President
Obama, Chehade could become a lawful permanent resident of the United States,
opening a possible path to citizenship. Despite the introduction
of this bill, he could still be deported by the US government. To date, Immigration and Customs Enforcement
has refused to stop the process of deporting Chehade while this legislation is
considered by Congress.
Shannon
Underwood, immigration attorney at Global Justice Law Group who is representing
Jorge-Alonso pro bono, commented, "We have been impressed and overwhelmed with
the extraordinary outpouring of support for Alonso from our two U.S. Senators,
Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray, as well as state elected officials and
community members. Frankly, we were shocked and surprised that the immigration
service ignored this support and denied our client additional time and the
legal authority to remain in the United States. The private bill introduced
by Rep. McDermott was the last resort to enable him to stay in this country."
Karol
Brown, also of the Global Justice Law Group, added: "Contrary to public
perception, Alonso and so many young people like him have no way to apply for
permanent residency or legal status in the United States under our current
laws. He is the perfect example of the need for Congress to pass the
DREAM Act and comprehensive immigration reform."
"Alonso's
plight shows clearly the cruel effects on real people of our broken immigration
system," said Pramila Jayapal, Executive Director of OneAmerica, Washington
State's largest immigrant rights organization.
"We call on Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Janet
Napolitano, to immediately halt the deportations of students like Alonso and
allow them to pursue their dream." At
the same time, Jayapal said, "We must push for comprehensive immigration reform
that recognizes the tremendous contributions immigrants make every day, and the
need to have sensible solutions that move us forward together."
For more information about OneAmerica:
www.weareoneamerica.org
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Contact:
Ricardo Sanchez
Chairman of the Latino/a Educational Achievement Project in Seattle
C:
206-697-7433
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About OneAmerica
OneAmerica, formerly Hate Free Zone, is a non-profit organization that advances the
fundamental principles of democracy and justice by building power within
immigrant communities.
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