Yesterday in Georgia, 6 undocumented youth were arrested near the State Capital, protesting against anti-immigrant policies in the state including the anti-immigrant law HB 87. HB 87 was passed in April, is considered one of many laws that copy the infamous Arizona SB 1070.

Dulce Guerrero, 18; Jessica Vasquez, 18; Rolando Zenteno, 16; Nataly Ibarra, 16; Felipe Baeza, 24; and Leeidy Solis, 16; have all been arrested by capitol police. All are current high school students except for Guerrero, who graduated earlier this month, and Baeza, who received his Bachelor’s degree from The Cooper Union in New York in 2009. All are Georgia residents except for Baeza, who lives in New York.

As of this morning, the three younger arrestees have been released to their parents, while three remain in custody.

The arrests come just days after parts of the controversial law were temporarily blocked by U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Thrash. The parts of the law that are are on hold authorize police to question certain suspects about their immigration status and arrest undocumented immigrants and take them to jail and punishes people who – while committing another crime – knowingly harbor or transport undocumented immigrants or “encourage” them to come here.

One portion of the law that remains in effect is a provision that requires many businesses to use the federal E-Verify program to ensure their new hires are eligible to work in the United States (more on E-verify in a soon to come post). Advocates warn, that while parts of the law are under injunction, the presence of 287(g) and Secure Communities deportation programs in the state still keep immigrant communities under constant threat.

You can make donations towards the bail and legal fees to help free the youth who have risked their freedom and lives.

Sources : AJC, personal emails/press releases