ILLEGAL AT PRINCETON

by Miriam Jordan
April 15, 2006, Page A1

Dan-el Padilla Peralta, a 21-year-old classics major at Princeton University, has risen from a childhood in homeless shelters and blighted apartments to maintain a 3.9 grade-point average. He has won prize after prize, often taking twice the typical course load. One faculty member, writing a recommendation, predicted "he will be one of the best classicists to emerge in his generation."

Mr. Padilla stands out at Princeton for another reason: He's an illegal immigrant. And two weeks ago, he did something few people in his shoes ever do. He turned himself in.

Mr. Padilla recently won a two-year scholarship to Oxford University in the United Kingdom. But according to longstanding immigration law, if he leaves, he can't return to the U.S. -- his home since the age of 4 -- for at least 10 years.

http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB114...I_20060519.html

Good to see someone make something of themselves despite hardships, and good for him for coming forward. I hope that what was and is seen in him by others is seen by immigration and that he is able to return to the US after his schooling in the UK. Thank you for posting.

Another one falling through the cracks. It reminds me of the other article that was posted about another illegal immigrant who was a student with strong academic mind... I hope USCIS approves his application. Abandoned children can't be the same as someone who willfully entered illegally.

I have a close friend who entered the US with his parents on a visitor visa when he was 4. His parents went back to India and he stayed back with his uncle. He graduated with me as a CS major and is now working for cash in a job that grossly underutilizes his potential.

Funny how they will bendover backwards to grant green cards and even citizenship for a Canadian Ice-Skater, and a Cuban Pitching-Sensation, but someone that is highly educated and clearly very intelligent--no such luck. I saw this guy on TV--maybe if he were very handsome like a hollywood actor or model--or in extreme physical shape--then the US Congress and the President would certainly grant him a green card or citizenship. I guess this just shows what the USA values--beauty and brawn over brains.