When I wrote about Walter Lara it was in the context of how heavy his case was being pushed while I was hearing little noise from pro-migrant/liberal bloggers about Cirila Baltazar Cruz.

To summarize, Walter was a DREAMer, an immigrant student who was brought to the United States by his undocumented parents. An honor student, he was facing deportation. A massive email, letter writing, phone campaign was launched on his behalf so that he could stay and it looks like there is somewhat of a victory for Walter.

Today, after 48 hours of intense activism by Congressional Leaders, bloggers, and thousands of grassroots activists who made calls and sent letters on Walter Lara’s behalf, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) moved to defer 23-year old Lara’s scheduled deportation back one year until July 3, 2010. In response to DHS’s deferment, Walter Lara issued the following statement:

“Today, words cannot express my gratitude to Secretary Janet Napolitano, Senator Bill Nelson, Representatives Corrine Brown, Lincoln Diaz-Balart, and the thousands of grassroots activists whose unified efforts have given me a second chance to live out my American Dream.
“As I look to celebrate Independence Day with family and friends this weekend, I have once again seen what makes America the best country in the world. Americans are fair, just, and kind. When we unite our strength to defend our shared values -opening rather than shutting the doors of opportunity – we can achieve anything. As I have said before, America is the only country I have known and I am an American. I have never been more proud to say that than I am today.

“But even as the dust settles on this tremendous personal victory, my sights are clearly set on the struggle ahead to build a long-term future for me and the more than 2 million like me whose lives may be cut short and dreams deferred.

“The action taken by the leaders in Congress and the Department of Homeland Security is an acknowledgment that our immigration laws are broken. The DREAM Act, if passed, would help people like myself, who came here through no fault of their own, stay in this country, be put on a path to citizenship and contribute to our nation.”

Click Here to read more about Walter Lara or visit http://www.firstfocus.net/pages/3608

SEIU, who also was a leader in pushing Walter’s case, asks for people to send Thank You’s to Homeland Security head Janet Napolitano.

I think it’s wonderful news that Walter’s deportation order has been delayed. He certainly has a long struggle ahead of him still.

Pero

I am disturbed.

Disturbed at how organizations that want to put families and children first still won’t talk about Cirila Baltazar Cruz, a mother who lost her child because her immigration status and language status was deemed dangerous. Is it because Cirila wasn’t college educated in any language? Or doesn’t feel like an “American” (even though she is since Latin America has been America for longer than the United States of America)?

How about something a little easier, like Brisenia Flores who at 9 years old was deemed dangerous enough to be targeted for murder? Or does the underlying narrative of her father, who was also killed, maybe perhaps having something to so with drugs make that too messy for the orgs to deal with in a comprehensive way?

I know I’m not gonna make any friends in the comprehensive immigration reform movement by asking these questions. And I am not dismissing the hard work Walter Lara has done and those have done on his behalf, pero it’s a little easier to get behind an immigrant who can claim innocence when it comes to the law, an immigrant who assimilated, and followed the designated path towards the American dream. Walter should be able to stay, as should the other DREAM’ers, some whom are dear friends of mine right here in Queens, NYC. Pero lo demas? Is it too much to ask for no immigrant to be left behind?