Student's Prize Is a Trip [To Atlanta for Natationals] Into Immigration Limbo

[sw293]

We have a couple of options here when it comes to helping this team out legally, both seem to have been suggested in so many words. First we can get a lawyer (presumably with ties to the FIRST community) to take the case pro-bono. Second we can set up a legal defense fund for him.

There might also be legislative routes to attacking this problem. Representative Charles Rangel represents most of East Harlem, and based on where he stands politically should be a strong advocate for Amadou. State and local officials do not have much say in immigration hearings but it can't hurt to contact them as well. The NY Assemblyman representing Harlem, Adam Clayton Powell IV, posts almost all of the articles on his website in both English and Spanish, the latest of which is titled "Immigrants Rally for More Rights". The relevant state senator is either Jose Serrano or David Paterson (or both). East Harlem's city council representatives are Inez Dickens and Melissa Mark Viverito. There is also Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Organizations already aligned with the team include the affiliated Central Park East Secodary School and East Harlem Tutorial Program, and the title sponsors NASA and Bloomberg LP. Weichert Realtors Peters Associates also sponsors the team and provides several mentors. New York City First is the regional FIRST organization. According to the article, the team's founding mentor Kristian Breton is a FIRST Alum from Mountain Home AR, which means that he probably knows somebody on FRC Team 16 Baxter Bomb Squad and somebody on Team 16 knows him.

Finally, there is City Tech, the college that accepted Amadou. Petersons puts the annual estimated cost at $9922 for in-state residents as of the 2002-2003 school year. Amadou lives in New York and attended high school there for two years, so he is eligible for in-state tuition rates according to the New York Immigrant Coalition FAQ. According to the same site, to claim in-state residency he must file an affidavit stating intent to file an application for legal residency, and he must demonstrate proof of domicile (a high school transcript will do). The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund has a list of scholarships that are available to the undocumented.

The team has a newsletter up on their webpage.

[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.

Just to clear up a little error above, in-state tuition is 2000 a semester, assuming he can claim New York State residency.

[jparkteach]

I worked with Amadou and the East Harlem Techs, as well as several other teams in NYC. And on behalf of the NYC FIRST, thank you for all your kind words and offer for assistance. This story has moved us all, but there are many similar stories here in New York City. Over the past few weeks, I'm sure you've also realized that many other cities in this country are facing similar dillemas due to the recent media coverage. And we will do whatever we can here in New York City to help Amadou and many other students like him achieve his/her dreams and reach his/her full potential in America.
JOHN PARK

[jparkteach]

This article just came out this morning. Thank you all for the outpouring of support regarding this issue.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/02/ny.../02deport.html

[KTorak]

If I dig up the article*, i'll post a link, but you are not required by law to show ID to board a plane. If you fail to provide ID, the only thing they can do is tag your luggage so your luggage will no board the plane unless you do as well.

*The arcitle was about a man who has flown numerous times since 9/11 without an ID and how the process went.

[KenWittlief]

Originally Posted by KTorak

If I dig up the article*, i'll post a link, but you are not required by law to show ID to board a plane. If you fail to provide ID, the only thing they can do is tag your luggage so your luggage will no board the plane unless you do as well.

*The arcitle was about a man who has flown numerous times since 9/11 without an ID and how the process went.

interesting since they have a no-fly list: if you are on the list you dont fly

so how can they let you on the plane without ID? Does that mean all people on the no-fly list have to do is say "My name is John Doe" and they have to let you on the plane?

somethings not adding up here ?!

[Rohan_DHS]

To fly on a plane, they check your passport. On the passport, they check the stamps to make sure you are allowed to be at your starting point. Also, they make sure you are allowed to be at your destination. If they are a non citizen, they go through your passports more thoroughly. If something doesn't add up, as in Amadou's case, they even more thoroughly check through all of the traveler's documents, and either let them go, or prosecute them (depending on the circumstance, obviously) and possibly deport them.

ps. I don't know if it's too late or not, but if anyone wants to host a website to promote this, I am more than willing to help; just email me or pm me.

[Rich Wong]

Folks,
Did you see this video titled Senegalese Student Faces Deportation on PBS- The NEWS HOUR with Jim Lehrer? The coverage is pretty good.

http://vvi.onstreammedia.com:80/cgi-...hour&tid=email

[Chris Fultz]

Originally Posted by KTorak

If I dig up the article*, i'll post a link, but you are not required by law to show ID to board a plane. If you fail to provide ID, the only thing they can do is tag your luggage so your luggage will no board the plane unless you do as well.
*The arcitle was about a man who has flown numerous times since 9/11 without an ID and how the process went.

From the TSA website -
To access Security Checkpoints, you will be required to present a BOARDING PASS and PHOTO IDENTIFICATION

From Northwest Airlines -

What identification do passengers need at the airport?
All passengers age 18 and older will be required to present valid government-issued photo identification (federal, state, or local). Example: driver's license or passport.
In the absence of government issued photo identification, two forms of identification will be required, one of which must be government-issued. Example: social security card and a WorldPerks card.
U.S citizens traveling to Canada must be prepared to prove their citizenship before boarding the plane. One of the following documents will be accepted as proof of citizenship:
Passport
Birth certificate*
Certificate of Naturalization or Birth Abroad*
Consular Report of Birth Abroad*
* Documents that do not incorporate a photograph should be accompanied by supporting government-issued photo identification. Identification that does not prove U.S. citizenship will not be accepted. Driver's licenses and credit cards are not acceptable forms of identification for proving U.S. citizenship.

These are both compliant with Public Law 107-71, so it would be interesting to know how someone is flying without ID....

[KathieK]

When we flew to Atlanta last month my ID was not requested when I received my boarding pass (I had it handy but it was never requested nor was it checked). I thought it was odd but maybe it's not a requirement?

[KenWittlief]

Originally Posted by KathieK

When we flew to Atlanta last month my ID was not requested when I received my boarding pass (I had it handy but it was never requested nor was it checked). I thought it was odd but maybe it's not a requirement?

Last time I flew I got my ticket from an electronic teller at the airport, but I had to show my drivers license to get through the security checkpoint.

[Mike Betts]

Originally Posted by KathieK

When we flew to Atlanta last month my ID was not requested when I received my boarding pass (I had it handy but it was never requested nor was it checked). I thought it was odd but maybe it's not a requirement?

You need a photo ID when you check your bag. If you are checking in via e-ticket and have no bags to check, you might be able to get your boarding pass without presenting a photo ID.

You also need to present a photo ID with your boarding pass to enter the security gate to access the departure lounge.

At random intervals or during heightened security levels, you may be asked to allow your carry on bags to be hand inspected. If so, you will once again be asked for photo ID.

That you got on a plane without presentation of a photo ID is a serious lapse of security at the airport you departed from.

Mike

[Bharat Nain]

Originally Posted by sanddrag

so wait, you can go to high school in this country while being in this country illegally? I learned something new. Sounds like a terrible flaw. There has to be some section of the "rule book" for dealing with situations like this, no?

It is not a flaw. According to the law, your status in this country cannot affect your education. That's why most colleges cannot require you to give them your social security number. Many people come to the US for an educating and the government decided not to fight them but to be on their side.

[KenWittlief]

so wait, you can go to high school in this country while being in this country illegally? I learned something new. Sounds like a terrible flaw....

it depends on whether you think you are giving something away, or getting something.

The underlying principle of a free public education is that, in the big picture, our society will be better with an educated population. As a matter of fact, students are required by law to attend some form of school until they are 16.

If illegal aliens are here, I would much rather have them be educated, than ignorant.

[natis]

I think this is a huge issue, I think as long as immigrants want to study and work hard and try to make things legal it shouldnt be a problem and about the ID they didnt ask for it when I got my bording pass and the security I passed it with my school ID with no problem I guess it was just that since 9/11 in New York and important areas like that they want more security.
I hope everything works fine for all of the imigrants in the US that want to work hard for their dreams!!
-natalia