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Sunday, April 6, 2014

The Moral Thing To Do



Colorado Teen Facing Deportation Allowed To Graduate High School

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FRISCO, Colo. (CBS4)- A Colorado teenager facing deportation will be allowed to graduate high school after he was granted a one-year delay on a hearing that would have sent him out of the U.S.
Jaime Leon Rivas will be allowed to stay in Frisco and graduate with the rest of his class. Graduation is in six weeks.
Rivas, 19, joined friends, family and classmates for a rally on Saturday afternoon, many of which are facing their own deportations.
Jaime Leon Rivas (credit: CBS)
Jaime Leon Rivas (credit: CBS)
The teen was released Wednesday from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility in Aurora where he was held for a month.
Rivas has been living in the U.S. since he was 10 years old. He fears the deadly gang violence he fled from in El Salvador.
Rivas came to the United States in 2005, along with his older brother Carlos, by illegally crossing the Rio Grande.
“With my family here and I don’t really have nothing to go back home to but lots of violence. It’s just my life in jeopardy, basically,” said Rivas.
A rally in Frisco on Saturday to show support for Jaime Rivas (credit: CBS)
A rally in Frisco on Saturday to show support for Jaime Rivas (credit: CBS)

He said he just wants the future he’s always worked hard for.
“Looking for a better future should not be illegal,” said Rivas.
“It’s my dream to see him graduate and keep the life,” said Rivas’ mother Tania.
Tania is calling for immigration reform, “Two million people. We’re waiting for that.”
“I want the deportation to stop. I want these families to stop being hurt. I know what it’s like,” said immigration reform supporter Wendy Travizo.
Travizo said she has been left to raise her three children alone since her husband of 15 years was detained in January for being in the U.S. illegally.
“We want their dad home. Don’t we guys?” she said as she talked to her children.
Rivas and his fiancee say the year of deportation delay he’s been granted will be full of accomplishments.
“During that year he’s going to graduate, get a job. We’re just going to fight for him. Keep on fighting,” said Rivas’ fiancee Jenny Martinez. “Keep on fighting.”
Rivas is still at risk of being deported if he doesn’t get that removal order overturned within one year.

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