Three Undocumented Youth Facing Deportation After Sit-in Outside McCain's Office

Situation has escalated as students sacrifice themselves for the passage of immigration reform 

The push to pass immigration reform has escalated as three undocumented youth are now facing possible deportation proceedings after getting arrested for civil disobedience in Tucson Arizona on Monday, May 17.

Five immigrant activists held a sit-in outside Senator John McCain’s. Four were arrested, three of whom were undocumented, on charges of misdemeanor trespassing. 

The uproar by immigrants rights activists over the passage of SB 1070 has impelled them to ante up the situation and demand a change in immigration policy.

Acts of civil disobedience and direct actions reached new heights, after a group of immigrant held a sit-in outside Senator John McCain’s offices. The five protesters, dressed in caps and gowns, wanted Sen. McCain to sponsor legislation which would create a path for citizenship for undocumented youth. The escalation in protest tactics is intended to send a message to state and federal governments. The message is one of urgency and repugnance. 

The protestors targeted McCain for his previous support of the DREAM Act, but also his  sudden change of heart in immigration policy in regards to his support for SB 1070. The one-time presidential candidate has showed support for immigration reform in the past, but has remained silent in doing so this year. The students included Liz Mateo, 25,  a graduate from Cal State Northridge and a member of DREAM Team LA, Mohammad Abdollahi, 24, of Ann Arbor, Mich; and Yahaira Carrillo, 25, of Kansas City, Mo. All three are undocumented.

The arrests are a sign of things to come as the push for immigration reform will continue to escalate as another year fades away without any immigration reform, the movement keeps growing, intrusive laws on the civil rights of citizens, documented and undocumented, are enacted. 

The clock is ticking…


- fher