Thousands Protest Possible Deportation of Florida Valedictorian

One of North Miami High's brightest students may be forced to leave the country because of her status. But she's doing her best to stay put.

  • Share
  • Read Later

[vodpod id=Video.16169053&w=425&h=350&fv=]

Daniela Pelaez wants two things more than anything else. First, she wants to become a heart surgeon. But also, more importantly, she wants to do it while staying in America.

The 18-year-old North Miami High School valedictorian, who wants to attend an Ivy League university, is also a Colombian immigrant who was brought to the United States when she was just four years old by her parents. She has been in the country illegally ever since. Her parents divorced before she could become a citizen. But an immigration judge has ordered her to leave the country, along with her sister, by March 28, causing a storm of protests in Miami and has attracted wide support.

(MORE: Why Latino Voters Will Swing the Next Election)

Pelaez, who has earned nearly straight A’s in North Miami’s International Baccalaureate program, says she has no memory of Colombia and would have no future there.

“I really couldn’t fathom another life. Colombia, it’s my heritage, it’s my roots, I will never forget, but this is all I know, she told CNN. ” My whole world would just come apart if I weren’t allowed to stay here.”

Friday morning, about 2,600 students and teachers staged a demonstration in solidarity with Pelaez, who is appealing the judge’s decision. On Thursday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said it would not remove her from the country pending the appeal.

Even Alberto Carvalho, Miami-Dade schools superintendent and North Miami Mayor Andre Pierre, both immigrants, have joined others in support of Daniela.

“I labored, I cleaned tables, I was a waiter, I did roofing, I did construction work and today I’m superintendant of schools,” Carvalho told the Miami Herald. “That is the power of education, a power and a right that shall not be denied to Daniela.”

PHOTOS: Being Latino in Arizona