| Yahaira Carrillo might have to fight for immigration rights from Mexico soon. |
"We decided to own our power and make our voices heard," Carrillo said in a statement issued after her release. "While we are glad to be out, remember that this action was not and is not about us as individuals. It is imperative for all to continue to push the DREAM Act, to work like we've never worked before and make this a reality this summer. We've surpassed the days of sitting idly by while others make decisions for us, while others tell us to wait. We cannot wait. Waiting is no longer a option. The DREAM Act must pass and it must pass now."
Carrillo is staying in Arizona to lobby for the DREAM Act. Her goal is
to get a vote on the legislation by the end of June.
***
Original story (3:40 p.m. May 18): Yahaira Carrillo
went to Arizona to fight for legislation that would allow young
immigrants like her a way to become legal U.S. citizens. But following a
protest at U.S. Sen. John McCain's office, she's in
danger of being kicked out of the country.
On Monday, five immigrants
dressed in graduation caps and gowns held a sit-in protest for
immigrant rights at McCain's Tuscon office. Four of them were
arrested, including Carrillo and two others who were in the United
States illegally. The New York Times reports that Carrillo now
faces deportation proceedings.
Carrillo is the founder of the
Kansas/Missouri DREAM Alliance. According to her bio on the group's Web
site, Carrillo was born to a poor teenage girl in Mexico in 1985,
crossed the border when she was 8, and still graduated at the top of her
high school class in the United States.
Carrillo describes her early life and journey to the United States in her bio:
"I was born in 1985 to a barely-turned 16 year-old who had been kicked out of her house while she was pregnant for being a disgrace to the family. I lived with my mother in an abandoned house in Guerrero, Mexico. She struggled to find work, but was either harassed or asked for sexual favors. She said no. She was 17 in 1986 when the 8.1 magnitude earthquake hit Mexico. She decided to take me to the US, but we didn't stay that long. At my grandmother's request, we returned to Mexico. The hits kept coming: my mother ended an abusive relationship with a military man and feared for her life. Then, my father called -- after abandoning my mother while she was pregnant and being MIA for most of my early years, decided he wanted us to join him in California. My options have always been limited."Her parents became migrant farm workers, and though Carrillo says she graduated at the top of her class, she claims her parent's status kept her from attending college for years. She recently earned an associate's degree from Donnelly College, and she is currently enrolled at Rockhurst University and working on a bachelor's degree.
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Listen Im Hopi Indian born in the USA. I love this country. Yes my people were treated bad really bad worse than blacks, mexicans etc..... And I have to prove Im Hopi indian doing my family tree just so I can say Im Hopi Indian and know where I came from. Five long years and still havent proved it! Im very close proving it. Im so tyered of people south of the border still holding a grudge when we kicked there asses in the mex/Amer war, and payed for the land! And didnt steal it! treaty of Guadalupe. Get over the war! stand in line and wait. My wife is vietnamese we had to jump threw hoops and over 3000 dollars and wait and paper work. We did it the rite way. what the hell gives them the rite to even say anything at all! oh they dont have rites! Hmmm! They broke the law. This is just more left wing propaganda! they dont have rites! left wing crap! You know we should have taken mexico along time ago and made it part of the USA it would be a better country today if we did. If I wasent Christian I nay palm everything south of the border and start over new so its not so corrupt. Fix your own country dont reck ours! oops there to chicken! "The truth shall set you free". May God Bless You All!
I think that to many people people are looking at this froma Mexico vs. America stand point and failing to realize that making laws like this would also allow people from all around the world to do the same thing. How would you feel if this was a Muslim from Pakistan. That being said there needs to be a stipulation for people that in this situation. Maybe if there was a condition that person would be permitted to stay in the U.S.A if the child or parent had citezenship application pending. I am willing to bet that she also didn't know that she was here illegally until she was much older than 8 and by that time she had already conformed to the American lifestyle.
I don't see why any of of you would call her stupid. It was pretty smart and courageous for her to do that. She was voluntarily potentially going to jail to bring this issue to the nations attention for a change. Was Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, or Nelson Mandella stupid? They all crossed a line to make a difference.
1st... People need to retake history 101..
We live in a republic that uses the democratic model of election... Our laws are not enforced under a democracy!!!!
Everyone has a sad story. She didnt follow the rules and shame on that school system that never reported her and/or her parents in the very begining.
She should be deported. No one is exempt from the rules, unless your a wealthy politition, then and only then can you get away with anything.
Also, the war is not on immigration! its on illegal tresspass.
It's people like Yahaira that work hard and strive for greater things that are going to redeem this country- independent of race or national background- instead of these parroting, short-circuited defective robots going "It's the law! Dey dook our jooobs!" There isn't a legal means of recourse for people like her- she is seeking a LEGAL means to become a CITIZEN and CONTRIBUTE. You sorry people should thank for her doing the legwork to strengthen our democracy.
@Fed_up says, I'm so sorry, but please tell me what kids that is trying to get a job is willing to work at Mc Donalds? Seriously, teenagers these days don't want that... And that's the damn truth! If I was to loose my job, I promise you, I wouldn't go there either, instead I would collect my unemployment and enjoy my time off, just like any other US citizen. And yes I am Mexican American! She was brought here not knowing anything, she was innocent! Yes she is older, and she is working hard! She is trying to live the American Dream? Quick question for you and every other person, how many of you have parent or ancestors that came to America Illegally? You may say no, not me, but I guarantee u, they came here illegally as well....
First I would like to say that my grandfather came here from Mexico legally and is a successful productive member of society. There is one point I think every one is missing. These people are her ILLEGALY. That is it. Would you be ok with a kid 8, 10, or 15 stealing your car? Same thing. It might not affect you the same personal way a theft dose but it is affecting you. When was the last time you went into a fast food joint a saw a kid behind the counter? I live in CA so I might be more sensitive to this that other but enough is enough. I think all these ILLEGALS should be picked up at these rallies and deported.
To all you who are bashing Yahaira, I hope you are a Native American. If not, I think your ancestors would be ashamed of you. Most of 'American's" ancestors were immigrants and had to put up with the same kind of ugly discrimination that I see here.
First of All I wanna say how much do we really know about the Immigration? If you do then please make your identity and lets talk about it. I do not see anything wrong that a young 8 years old girl who was brught in this country and have been spending her most important time of her life and loving this country as her own country. All of you who are making and posting comments I request please dont be just ignorant and Judgemental as ego-Profiling and sterio-typing of your idotic ideas and view. I met with this young lady couple of week ago in Kansas City at a protest after AZ decleared the new Immigrant law. I knew she will be in the national news and make it as big as she could. She is very smart, how ever she should be careful for her action interm of legal rules and regulations. I beleive she was not thinking about her own deportation. May be she was deraming and infact in reality she is a voice for many others who does not have a valid status according to the USCIS. But however she is one of the fine young lady who does all the good jobs.
A young lady who bear all this courage my hat off. I am proud of her what she is doing. She will be a role model even she would be deported but truly I do beleive and know taht the Rules and Reguations are stronger than anything else. Yahaira you have done nothing wrong by protesting in a political way. I do not know personally what do you do in your personal life however while you are a dream maker keep up your dream. Dont forget 1944 and I have a dream. It took about 64 years to break that Cube - Finally in 2010 Obama became the 1st US Presidnet as one of that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. So Dont worry, when you are a true dream maker keep it up it might cost you your deportation or even some other consequences but some people after you will take it over. I am also a Dreamer...like to see that one day we all live in Peace, harmony and Justices.
Finally, I know that you love this country. So even though many people saying all the negatives don't you care - Remember America was not built in fear - It was Built in Courage. You ahve that Courage. Be proud of your courage and keep up the best hope.
MD Alam - Kansas City
I'm sure she is a fine young woman. I have a daughter the same age. I always remind her to make good decisions, for our poor decisions have consequences.
Carrillo's trespassing in a Senator's office may have consequences :(
A bunch of folks KNOW her, so she's cool. See, it's like Orwell taught us...the law is only for some of the animals some of the time. All the animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others. This stuff about being here illegally? Fuhgedaboudit. This chick knows people.
wow I am amazed at the ignorance that some of you possess. I am proud to say I know Yahaira personally. She is not a drug dealer, felon, menace or whatever label you want to place. If you actually opened your minds to the fact that she is fighting for the ability to apply for citizenship for those that deserve it!!! I wonder if you were told by your my mom or dad at 8 yrs old that you had a choice to move or stay behind with no one to care for you if you would have chose the latter. Yet you seem to find her at fault for something she could not control. �Yahaira- SI SE PUEDE! Keep it up and don't lose faith!
I am somewhat confused here. This girl and company are ILLEGALLY here in the USA and have not been apprehended for deportation? The inmates are now running the prisons, it seems. If she and her ilk wish to create a way into the USA, there is one. It is called application for residency as a first step. The American Embassy in Mexico will provide the necessary forms. If successful, application for citizenship may be effected after a certain time. Meanwhile, she should go back to Mexico and wait to be processed like millions of immigrants have legally done.
Are we going to send all the robots and machines that have replaced US workers back to Taiwan? Should we make email illegal because mail carriers are losing their jobs?
I'm glad I don't remember the good ol' days in "our" country when most of us were dirt poor farmers. Please, let's not take our country "back" to those days.
Immigration helps our country (I like cheap stuff, don't you?), and it helps their country more than "wars of liberation" or foreign aid ever will. People work, make money, then let their families spend it they way they like - who can disagree witht that? Best thing we could do is open up our (closed, there is no line to get into!!!!) immigration system.
Now, if your problem is with the welfare state, say that you have a problem with the welfare state. Leave hardworking people -not eligible for welfare- out of it.
US citizens are much bigger "leaches" on our economy than foreigners ever will be. I got more back in taxes than I paid in this year, along with 40% of all Americans.
SO GLAD TO HEAR YAHAIRA IS OUT, WE ARE ALL SO PROUD OF HER FOR STANDING UP FOR WHAT IS RIGHT. TO ALL YOU DUMB ASS BASTARDS TALKING SHIT YOU CAN ALL GO TO HELL AND KISS MY MEXICAN ASS I AM A US CITIZEN AND ITS TO BAD THAT THERE ARE NOT MORE PEOPLE LIKE YAHAIRA TO DO THE RIGHT THING UNLIKE AL OF YOU WHO CAN JUST TALK SHIT SHE BELIEVED IN SOMETHING ENOUGH TO TAKE A STAND FOR IT, NO ONE HERE USES THEIR REAL NAME BECAUSE IN REALITY YOU ARE ALL JUST SCARED.........
@Sorry,butshescrewedup and Realist; maybe so if they all went back to their country and made it a better place then they wouldnt have to come here and take your job as a what??? A construction worker, Mc Donalds employee, a Farm worker? and im sure all of these employements are the ones all citizens are looking for right?? or maybe you do and have lost your job because they can pick up more carrots then you in the 10 hour shift with one 30min brake mkaing $2 or less and hour??? no? is that not the casse?? ok, maybe you know someone who lost there job doing the same thing mentioned above??? No? Not likely?? well then maybe there not taking the jobs of your peers after all.?
They have also driven down wages and taken jobs that many citizens used to do
So, uh, wouldn't that mean the illegal immigrant problem is primarily the result of employers who give them jobs? Why not just crack down on those employers? No jobs, no reason to come here, right?
Realist, Nobody is terrified that they will take over, We are tired of putting up with the fact that they are here illegally and not intitled to anything. They have also driven down wages and taken jobs that many citizens used to do and make a good living at but now that the illegals are doing those jobs they are no longer paying a livable wage and before you place the blame somewhere else. They work illegally and in the construction trade, it's a known fact that they are able to underbid legitimate tradesmen by not having to follow the same rules as everyone else. If I want to roof a house I have to pay for insurance and taxes benefits ect... and they do not.
I find it absolutely hilarious that so many US citizens are apparently terrified someone's going to do to them what they did to the original inhabitants of this country - move in and take over.
Payback is a bitch, ain't it?
She must not be to smart after all she went to U.S. Sen. John McCain's office to protest and she should have known she would likely be arrested and deported. She didn't help herself at all now did she?
It doesn't matter to me that she was 8yrs old or 8 months old when she came over. She is not a U.S Citizen and shouldn't expect to be granted a place at the front of the line. Maybe if the mexican illegals went home and put as much effort into their own country it might be something they can be proud of.
Yeah, she sure is a model citizen... Err I mean CRIMINAL!
Andrea, maybe we could charge you with being an accessory. Too bad stupidity isn't a crime, you'd be incarcerated for that many times over.
Yahira proved to everyone how incredibly stupid she is. "Let me protest" instead of trying to get legal status.
Andrea, if you're wondering about Yahira's life in Mexico, like who she'll stay with, don't. We should deport her illegal alien mother and deport her too. (I'm sure she knows where her mom is) It sounds like her father is also here illegally. Let's help them out with a free trip home and a little "don't cross the border again" reminder.
Guess what..the wetback problem is nothing short of a true invasion, and all of them should be dalt with the same way a military invader would be dealt with. You diot liberal oughta take these people with you back to Mexico and set up your utopian garbage society there. Idiots.
Those that say "go to the back of the line" do not understand that for the young people that the DREAM Act would help, there really is no line to stand in. They were brought here. They have lived here for at least five years (most, like Yahaira, for much more), but there is no basis from which they can seek lawful status. Do we send her back to Mexico, a country she really doesn't know? How does she return from Mexico? Those who chant "laws are laws" don't understand the basics of immigration law. You have to have a way to get into the U.S. For most Mexicans, that simply doesn't exist. Unless you're Carlos Slim, you can't get a tourist visa. Or a student visa. Or any temporary visa.
And again, for the billionth time, I repeat so perhaps someone, anyone, will actually listen. Although unlawful entry is a crime punishable by up to 30 days in jail (a misdemeanor), it cannot be retroactively enforced. And unlawful PRESENCE in the U.S. IS NOT A CRIME. It is a question of civil status that is punishable by a civil penalty under a civil/administrative system.
Stop calling this wonderful young lady a criminal. Just like I guarantee all homophobes know and love a gay person, without realizing he/she is gay, ALL of you anti-immigrants and xenophobes know, love, and respect an unlawfully present alien. You just don't know that they are an unlawfully present alien.
The DREAM Act is a solution. Nesciant "deport them all" positions ignore reasonable solutions that could actually be implemented and work.
Or should we have prayed that Yahaira been abandoned by her mother in the U.S. so she would have been eligible for SIJS adjustment of status? You close-the-border folks are laughable.
Those that say "go to the back of the line" do not understand that for the young people that the DREAM Act would help, there really is no line to stand in. They were brought here. They have lived here for at least five years (most, like Yahaira, for much more), but there is no basis from which they can seek lawful status. Do we send her back to Mexico, a country she really doesn't know? How does she return from Mexico? Those who chant "laws are laws" don't understand the basics of immigration law. You have to have a way to get into the U.S. For most Mexicans, that simply doesn't exist. Unless you're Carlos Slim, you can't get a tourist visa. Or a student visa. Or any temporary visa.
And again, for the billionth time, I repeat so perhaps someone, anyone, will actually listen. Although unlawful entry is a crime punishable by up to 30 days in jail (a misdemeanor), it cannot be retroactively enforced. And unlawful PRESENCE in the U.S. IS NOT A CRIME. It is a question of civil status that is punishable by a civil penalty under a civil/administrative system.
Stop calling this wonderful young lady a criminal. Just like I guarantee all homophobes know and love a gay person, without realizing he/she is gay, ALL of you anti-immigrants and xenophobes know, love, and respect an unlawfully present alien. You just don't know that they are an unlawfully present alien.
The DREAM Act is a solution. Nesciant "deport them all" positions ignore reasonable solutions that could actually be implemented and work.
Or should we have prayed that Yahaira been abandoned by her mother in the U.S. so she would have been eligible for SIJS adjustment of status? You close-the-border folks are laughable.
@nosliding, ok seriously u need to step back and just reread what u posted! "She is not doing anything for the USA except destroy it --by turning it into Mexico". are you serious, do I need to remind u what AZ was before it even became US? Your comment is just as ignorant as you are! Just reading your comment reminds me of the ignorance still out there!
She is encouraging others to break the law and working publicly to circumvent US law in aid to foreign nationals. Not only should she be deported but she should be jailed for a very long time as a foreign agent! She is not doing anything for the USA except trying to destroy it -- by turning it into Mexico.
See, this is where the line blurs. This is why you can't have laws like this because each situation is unique. It's just like airport security. Yes, you can't tell who is a terrorist by looking at them so airport security makes life miserable for everyone. In this case you have an upstanding woman who is educated and a contributing member to society. Unfortunatley you can't tell which Mexicans are illegal, will steal benefits, commit crimes and not contribute to society, so people feel that all of them need to be targeted.
Just like the 90 year old grandma who gets frisked at the airport, they should just let this one slide.
I dont understand people, I don't know this young lady, but she seems to have her head on straight, it's not like she is out here selling drugs and killing innocent people! She's an educated woman trying to better herself, no matter what life has thrown at her. It's one thing if she is a menace to society but she's not, she has dreams and hopes and I'm sure she plans to succeed at everything she does....The one thing that gets me when people talk about illegal's, is that they need to pay taxes like everyone else, are u guys that ignorant to realize they really do! Every time they go to the store what the hell do u think they are doing, and yes when they get the chance to work, guess what, they PAY TAXES, wow....The only difference between them and us is that they don't get the chance to have that big fat refund check from UNCLE SAM....I say she has all right to be here, she is probably more educated then half the people that are posting ignorant comments on here, well with that said I guess I can see why they want her to go back to Mexico, who could bare a Latina woman to have more knowledge then them!
Tribal Pixie,
The problem here is that our immigration system is broken. It can easily take up to 20 years to become "legal." This is why we are pushing so hard for immigration reform. The system we have clearly takes too long.
What's taken her so long to become a LEGAL citizen? HOW OLD is she?? That's great that she's a good person, no one is debating that! But I know of ADULTS who were 5 when they were taken here by their [also destitute] parents from Mexico. And they are LEGAL CITIZENS now! (As in: THE ENTIRE FAMILY)
So what's the problem here?
No offense, but: Follow the rules or leave!
Once in a while, someone in the USA decides to follow the law. And the law is clear in this case, Enjoy the bus ride home, Yahaira.
Radioman, While you make a good point about building Mexico up (it would be so great if every country was a nice place to live), that is not the issue at hand. The fact is that Yahaira is already here and has been most of her life. This is probably home to her. She speaks perfect English, goes to school, and is making something out of herself. It is an amazing feeling to have accomplished something great in your life no matter what the circumstances. She's probably overcome great things and deserves to be able to say that she is truly an AMERICAN. She is contributing to society and not just a bum causing trouble. Cut her a break because she's doing great things for this country and deserves to call it her home!
You have no idea what you are talking about. I know Yahaira personally, she is and does more for this country than any person. Just because some ppl are scared of the threat young immigrants bring to the work force, is why you take these measures. It sucks you have to be so closed minded, these are PEOPLE!
No break. She needs to get in line. Instead of listening to these whiny squatters, we should encourage them to go to Mexico and use their talents to build their country.
If she wants to stay, fine... but we who are citizens here need to pressure our government to set up a workable path to citizenship that includes registration with Social Security, a photo thumbprint ID card, pay taxes, learn English, study US history, not Mexican History, and WAIT!
Why do Mexicans think they should get a pass ahead of everyone else immigrating legally? Just cutting in line, saying 'oh poor us, we're entitled.' Because she was poor EIGHT once? If that was the only requirement, 5 billion people would be showing up here.
If she went back to Mexico, maybe she could get into abuse counseling there or something worthy to build HER native country so it TOO is a nice place to live.
Craig: yes she jumped the line but she was 8 YEARS OLD!! and has spent most of her life in this country that she knows and loves. If she is a good resident for this country, why can't she have the chance to live here legally? Give her a break...
That's an ignorant comment. How can a minor be responsible for their parents decision to not go through the proper channels? And what does Obama's family have to do with this situation?? Didn't his father come here legally to go to school and return to his own country?! Don't be bitter, and please get your facts straight.
That's an ignorant comment. How can a minor be responsible for their parents decision to not go through the proper channels? And what does Obama's family have to do with this situation?? Didn't his father come here legally to go to school and return to his own country?! Don't be bitter, and please get your facts straight.
Another high achiever who jumped the line. Sorry, but she needs to go improve the lives of those living in a broken, corrupt Mexico. She hasn't respected our rule of law and expects us to not respect it either. Many from Mexico jump through the hoops required to enter and stay legally. She didn't. She jumped the line.
Like Obama's relative, she'll probably get a pass.
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