Undocumented Mableton Residents to Rally in Front of Obama Campaign Office

Though the Obama administration has recently stated that certain "low-priority" undocumented immigrants (including immigrant youth eligible for the DREAM Act) are not a target for deportation, we have seen a dissonance between words and deeds, as favorable youth still face deportation. That is why we are now asking for an executive order to halt the deportations of students who qualify for the DREAM Act.

"We have many open cases of DREAMers here in Georgia who are facing deportation proceedings for things like driving without a license,” says Nataly Ibarra, member of DreamActivist Georgia. “Jesus Cruz is a clear example of how Prosecutorial discretion is not working and we now need the strength of an Executive Order to stop these deportations.”

Jesus Cruz, 21, is a clear example of why an executive order is urgent. Jesus has lived in the United States since the age of 11. Jesus is a recent graduate of Pebblebrook High School in Mableton, GA. He is an aspiring college student who wishes to become an immigration attorney in order to help his community. Jesus was placed in deportation proceedings for driving without a license in Cobb County, GA. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has denied his request for prosecutorial discretion twice, despite meeting all requirements and being considered low-priority for deportation.

Despite President Obama's announcement about reviewing the 300,000 deportation cases and only deporting the "worst of the worst," we continue to have Dream Act-eligible youth deported. According to Eleanor Pelta, President of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA): "The prosecutorial discretion initiative has failed…DHS has reviewed over 288,000 cases, a paltry 1.5 percent of the cases were actually granted discretion, and even those were granted only a temporary reprieve, keeping their lives completely in limbo."

"We know that President Obama has the power to issue an executive order and stop DREAM Act-eligible deportations," says Martin Lopez, another member of  DreamActivist Georgia. "We demand that he use his power to take action today."

"Now is the time, now is our time, to dream with the dreamers and realize Dr. King's dream. We must stand with our young dreamers and call on President Obama to halt all deportations of DREAM Act eligible persons. The time is right and the time is now. We are calling on all Americans to stand together as we walk hand in hand toward the American Dream."

Dr. Johnny B. HillSpecial Martin Luther King Jr. Scholar In Residence The Interdenominational Theological Center of Atlanta, GA

The rally will be held at OFA-GA headquarters at 171 Auburn Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30303 at 7 p.m.