Malloy, Blumenthal Work to Defer Deportation of Connecticut Student
by Hugh McQuaid | Apr 22, 2011 11:06am
(10) Comments | Commenting has expired
Posted to: Congress, Town News
In a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Citizen and Immigration Services, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy asked that the deportation of a Connecticut student, illegally living in the U.S., be deferred.
The student, Mariano Cardoso, has been living in the country since his parents brought him over the Mexican border when he was 22 months old, according to a prepared statement from the Malloy administration.
Cardoso is now only a month away from earning an engineering degree from Capitol Community College in Hartford, the statement said. But the New Britain resident is facing a deportation order; something the governor is hoping to put on hold.
“Congress needs to address immigration reform in a comprehensive and common-sense manner, but until that happens, we cannot allow young men and women like Mariano, who, through no fault of their own were brought here as children, lose this chance at a better life,” Malloy said. “For all intent and purpose, Mariano is American. To send him back to a country he has no recollection of, and did not grow up in, makes little sense, particularly as he is finishing his degree and looking to contribute to his community and this state.”
Through a prepared statement, Malloy reasserted his support for the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM Act), which would allow people in Cardoso’s situation to apply for temporary legal status and eventually citizenship. But on Wednesday, Malloy said that even if it is approved, the measure wouldn’t become law soon enough to help Cardoso.
In mailing the letter Wednesday morning, Malloy joins Sen. Richard Blumenthal, who last week was one of 22 senators who signed a letter to President Barack Obama calling for a blanket deferral of deportation orders for people in situations similar to Cardoso’s.
That letter notes the Obama administration deported a record number of illegal immigrants last year and appeals to the president using his own words from this year’s State of the Union address.
“Let’s stop expelling talented, responsible young people who could be staffing our research labs or starting a new business, who could be further enriching this nation,” the letter quotes the president saying.
Blumenthal said Thursday that he met with Cardoso a few months ago and was immediately impressed.
“He’s the perfect example, almost the poster child, for why we need the DREAM Act,” he said.
Blumenthal said his staff has been in contact with the Homeland Security Department and he has spoken with Cardoso’s lawyer. He is hoping that between his request and Malloy’s, DHS will defer Cardoso deportation. But the senator stopped short of saying he would file a private bill on behalf of the young man.
A private bill can defer deportation but must be filed by a member of Congress. Blumenthal said he wouldn’t speculate if such a move will be necessary until he was sure other avenues had been exhausted.
Cardoso’s lawyer Anthony Collins said he’s hopeful letters signed by two Connecticut heavyweights will sway immigration officials, but said it’s difficult to predict an outcome.
“It’s a matter of administrative grace,” he said Wednesday.
On Thursday, Malloy recorded an interview regarding Cardoso’s case with CBS news. That interview will air during Saturday’s CBS Evening News, according to his office.
Tags: immigration, education, dream act, connecticut, Malloy, blumenthal
(10) Comments
posted by: StarveTheBeast | April 22, 2011 3:52pm
Let me get this straight. He is now 1 month away from graduation in a Connecticut state college. How did he ever get so far? Heads should roll for allowing an ILLEGAL entry into the school, nevermind allowing him to almost make it to graduation. Someone should be arrested and charged with “aiding and abetting”! I’m sure he is a fine young man, and I feel bad about his situation, but he is an ILLEGAL.
posted by: jhly1122 | April 22, 2011 6:18pm
This person KNOWS that they are here illegally. They are in COLLEGE. WHY have they NOT done the proper thing to become a citizen? That goes for ALL people here illegally.
posted by: hawkeye | April 23, 2011 11:32am
Smart Politician! Good public relations effort for Gov. Malloy—after his budget taxation disaster. Malloy knows how to cover your tracks!
posted by: Latin Music Tonight | April 23, 2011 2:05pm
I support Malloy, Blumenthal’s letter and efforts to defer deportment of Mario Cardoso. Always in mind that we don’t cross borders…borders cross the people.
posted by: Brian Parker | April 24, 2011 9:03am
Did anyone else pick up on the “Obama administration deported a record number of illegal immigrants last year ... ”
Did that shock anyone else?
Oh and let the kid stay, we have enough brain drain.
posted by: Not that Michael Brown | April 24, 2011 6:52pm
Gods and men love maps.
They draw borders with pens that split lives like an ax.
—Tajiki Poverb
posted by: hawkeye | April 24, 2011 9:05pm
Gov.D.P.Malloy and Sen. R.
Blumenthal - show that they routinely skirt the law to be self-serving and
“politically correct!”
The voters sold all of us out for “lifetime career politicians”—who are undermining their constituents—BIG TIME!
Shame on us!
posted by: ... | April 25, 2011 12:56am
The issue of illegal immigration is as old as our country (if not older).
Our settlers left a hostile environment, wrought with danger and persecution to new lands previously occupied by the various tribes and nations that live here for hundreds of years.
They accepted us at first, seeing our dire conditions and lack of harvesting knowledge. But over time we came in wave after wave, pushing the borders with these tribes. But because of our technology (mostly weaponry), the tribes had to either fight and die or run and suffer.
And over time it was not just English, but Irish, Polish, French, Italian, Chinese, German, etc. Hundreds of thousands came here to make a new living and could have been technically labeled illegal in today’s environment. But they weren’t because they saw opportunity, and eventually the Statue of Liberty, the purest sign of acceptance.
So now, just one student who was brought here (yes, illegally) before he could walk or talk, raised for most of his life as an American, is somehow by a criminal/evil? Ridiculous.
While I support the strengthening of our borders with Canada and Mexico to prevent violent criminals and terrorists from entering our country, this young man looks to be neither, but instead the universal dream of so many Americans who have arrived on these shores for over two-and-a-half centuries.
posted by: jhly1122 | April 25, 2011 9:07am
Unfortunately this is NOT a case of ONE student. Find the true count and we are paying billions again. If you are smart enough to almost graduate from college then one would assume you are also smart enough to know you are here illegally, no matter the method or reason, and should have LONG AGO begun the process for citizenship. Time for all the do gooders to pay for these folks or get on the wagon to make these thing fair and right for American citizens
posted by: IMRPCCSU | April 27, 2011 2:27pm
Mr. Cardoso will be speaking TONIGHT (4/27) at Central Connecticut State University. All are invited to attend.