Sign on to Sen. Bill Nelson's Letter on Behalf of Walter Lara

Walter Lara is a 23 year-old honor student facing deportation on July 6, 2009. Walter’s family immigrated from Argentina when he was three years old.  He has only known life as an American, and proudly declares that “the United States is my home.”

U.S. Senator Bill Nelson wrote the Department of Homeland Security on Walter's behalf, requesting that they defer action on Walter's deportation because "he has earned the chance to live and work here and call America home."

Sign onto Sen. Nelson's letter and on Thursday, July 2, 2009, we will deliver Sen. Nelson's letter with your co-signature to the Department of Homeland Security.

United States Senate
WASHINGTON, DC 20510-0905
BILL NELSON FLORIDA

June 25, 2009

The Honorable John T. Morton Assistant Secretary
United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement U.S. Department of Homeland Security
500 12th Street, SW
Washington DC 20536
Re: Walter Enrique Lara, A88-848-500

Dear Assistant Secretary Morton:

I recently met a young man who has lived in this country since he was brought here by his parents from Argentina when he was three years old. Walter Lara grew up in Miami, Fla. He went to public schools there, and graduated from high school a few years ago with a 4.7 grade point average and 1,000 hours of community service.

Like most kids today, Walter wanted to go to college. But the University of Central Florida told him no because of his immigration status. So he settled on Miami-Dade Honors College. He graduated from there with a 3.7 average.

Right away he went to work as a computer technician. But this past February - while he was on his way to do an in-home repair - he was apprehended by U.S. immigration officers and held for three weeks. Walter now awaits deportation to Argentina. He's scheduled to leave July 6.

This young man's story quite vividly illustrates the need for Congress passing the DREAM Act. It's legislation I'm cosponsoring and which President Obama supports. This bill would provide kids, like Walter, with a way to stay in the greatest country on earth. And Walter is exactly the kind of person the DREAM Act is intended to help. He came here at a very young age, possesses a solid record of academic achievement, has a strong work ethic and is of good character.

While efforts to pass the DREAM Act continue, I ask that you defer action on Walter's deportation. He has earned the chance to live and work here and call America home. I look forward to your favorable response before July 6.

Sincerely,
Bill Nelson