Undocumented immigrant becomes Dream Act rallying point - latimes.com: Reporting from Durham, N.C.—
Two weeks ago, Uriel Alberto interrupted a state legislative hearing in North Carolina and declared himself an undocumented immigrant.
"I am undocumented and I am unafraid," Alberto, 24, told a North Carolina House of Representatives immigration committee in Raleigh. "I refuse to be bullied and intimidated by this committee and choose to empower my community."
Now, thanks to an online petition campaign, Alberto is a rallying point for supporters of the Dream Act, which would give permanent resident status to undocumented students brought illegally to the U.S. by their parents. Supporters have launched a Facebook page, a Twitter hashtag (#FreeUriel) and online petitions; they've also staged rallies outside the jail, the News and Observer of Raleigh reported Monday.
"He took a brave stand for immigration rights, and now he may get deported for it," said a posting on the Facebook page. Alberto's online supporters are urging others to call or write federal immigration authorities to lobby against deportation.
