Front Page NYT Article

[Cynette]

OK. Enough Devil's Advocate. Back to Gracious Professionalism. Or at least graciousness.

Cynette (obviously a mom)

[Mike375]

Hi everyone,

I am so glad so many people have already begun to look into ways to help our fellow FIRSTer out with this situation. Although I've never met Amadou, I now find it quite remarkable some of the ways our lives crossed paths, and can cross paths.

I'm an alumni of FIRST (99-03). I attended this year's NYC regional and saw my former high school Staten Island Tech (375) join forces with Morris HS and Amadou's East Harlem Tech to win the regional. The excitement that rookie Harlem team had for the competiton was incredibly contagious, and I was so glad that they received an opportunity to participate in the Championship event.

Now for how I plan to help out. While I'm not familiar with immigration law, I just so happen to attend the college Amadou wants to attend, New York City College of Technology. I am going to make sure everyone from the President, to the admissions office, to the financial aid office is made aware of this story. The school is incredibly diverse with students from all over the planet, and I know as an active FIRST participant, he will thrive in the program of study. I'm also going to contact the team and offer to help him deal with any of the levels of bureacracy he might have to deal with at the college.

[yfactor]

There has got to be something the FIRST community can do to help Amadou and other students like him. (I am sure he cannot be the only one since First has grown so large.)

Perhaps donations to his team for him or something to help him get through the immigration process.

I know from experience that gainin citizenship or even a green card takes a lot of money as well as time. (it took me 10 years to get mine.)

I agree with Daniel LaFleur from the PVC Pirates about respecting the laws of the country. However, a 14 year old having to work to provide himself with food, shelter and school supplies has much more to worry about. and from 14 yrs to 17 yrs is 4 years. i will repeat that it took me 10 yrs to get a green card. (my case was unusually long though. it usually takes a max. of 6 years to get one. but still. 6 is more than 4.