“It wasn’t until senior year of high school that I realized I

was undocumented, and could not attend the schools of my

choice,” said Padilla.

Padilla despite financial burdens has continued to work full

time and go to school full time to support his dreams of an
education.

“I admire his courage and motivation, and despite the fact

By: Emma Watson
In 28 days a young student faces deportation from the only
home he has ever known for one little mistake. Rigo Padilla
a 21 year-old, A-student from the University of Illinois
turned heads today at Chicago City Hall as the council
agreed to back the resolution attempting to stop the depor-
tation of Padilla.
Despite the fact Rigo has been living in the United States
since he was 6 years old, the only home he knows, he now
faces deportation December 16.
Padilla entered Immigrations radar last January during a
misdemeanor traffic incident, after he rolled through a stop
sign returning home from watching a football game at a
friend’s house and had willingly admitted to having a few
beers.
that he is facing deportation he has continued to come to
school, word hard, and obtain the highest marks in class,”
said Nilda Flores-Gonzalez Ph.D. associate professor in
Sociology and Latin American and Latino Studies at UIC.
The resolution “recommended unanimously by The Hu-
man Relations Committee, ‘these children should be able to
legalize their status, and in particular deportation of these
children should be stopped.’” said Hoyt.
“Let me just say that the reason I’m sponsoring this res-
olution-along with my colleagues, is because it is time to
reform a broken immigration system-we know that. But I
think its time that this country goes back to its values of op-
portunity and fair-mindedness.” said Alderman George A.
Cardenas (12th Ward).
Padilla says despite the fear his family is trying to continue
with everyday activities. He also has been studying for his
LSATS and dreams of becoming an attorney someday if he
is able to stay home and continue his education.

“It was a mistake that I made that I am sorry for, but as a
result I face being deported in 28 days, December 16th,
and being separated from a country that I’ve been in for 15
years. I will be separated from my family, my friends, and
my education… I consider this country my home,” said
Padilla.
“With out any support system what so ever he has been
able to educate himself, to pay for his education, to work
hard, to pay his taxes, to give back to his community-that’s
who I want to be part of this country, that’s the country I
want to retain… I think its time to go back to the principles
that this country stands for,” said Cardenas.

Joshua Hoyt Executive President of The Illinois Coalition

for Immigration and Refugee Rights was at the press con-
ference today sponsoring Padilla.
ICIRR is dedicated to promoting the rights of immigrants
and refugees to full and equal participation in the civic,
cultural, social, and political life of our diverse society.

Hoyt and the ICIRR have been advocates for more than just
Padilla’s case but similar cases that take place every year.
Cases that would be covered under the proposed ‘DREAM
Act’ (The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien
Minors Act) that has been tied up in congress since 2006,
designed specifically for instances like Padilla.

“Every year there are 65,000 undocumented students who

graduate high school in the United States, these are young
people brought here by their parents,
Congress has failed to sign the immigration reform law, and
as a result these students are stuck, unable to work, their
futures on hold, unable to go to college.” Hoyt said.