Eric Balderas was just 4-years-old when his parents brought him to the U.S. illegally from Mexico. He led a modest but model life while in the U.S., and at the age of 19 his incredible intelligence along with a pretty decent U.S. education steered him all the way to acceptance at Harvard University.
Having just completed his first year at the famed Ivy League school, Balderas studies molecular and cellular biology with hopes of becoming a cancer researcher. Always aware of his plight of being in the U.S. illegally, and believing that the years gone by combined with his educational success story would provide forgiveness, Balderas was one of hundreds of undocumented students to publicly announce this past March his immigration status during a nationally organized “coming out” day for illegal immigrants. Unfortunately the years were not forgiving, and the Harvard Sophomore now faces deportation back to Mexico. It is a case that is stirring up the emotions of illegal immigration and seemingly ancient but current laws on the books that may not make an exception in Balderas’ case.
Now Harvard officials have thrown their support behind Balderas, recognizing that his case is exceptional and hoping for a miracle fix.
“Eric Balderas has already demonstrated the discipline and work ethic required for rigorous university work, and has, like so many of our undergraduates, expressed an interest in making a difference in the world,” said Christine Heenan, Harvard’s vice president of public affairs and communications.
The Balderas case has sparked a buzz on Facebook and among student immigrant activists who see the situation as the ideal test case to push for the proposed DREAM act – a federal bill that would allow illegal immigrants a pathway to citizenship via college enrollment or military service, also known as the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM). The bill was sponsored by Indiana Republican Sen. Richard Lugar and Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin, of Illinois, who both penned a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano asking that she halt deportations of immigrant students who could earn legal status under the act. After 15 years as a model citizen and honor student within the U.S., it could be just what Eric Balderas needs to help keep him here and finally make him a legal U.S. citizen.
Short answer: yes.I'm sympathetic to Balderas' plight but there is an American student somewhere who is not a student at Harvard because someone who was able to check the "Hispanic" box (and isn't supposed to be here, anyway) is enrolled.If/when he graduates, he will be one more immigrant competing for a job with millions of unemployed Americans.A lot of his student-supporters will experience an epiphany when they enter the workforce and find themselves competing with millions of unemployed Americans and a never-ending stream of newly-imported workers. Good luck with that.For everyone like this kid (smart and ambitious), there are thousands of immigrants pouring into this country with little or no education (and no desire for one).Mexico is a basket case… one thing it needs is for its best 'n' brightest to assume a roll in bringing it into the First World.