Undocumented youth protest garners local, national attention

The protest and arrest of a group of three undocumented youth and one permanent citizen at the offices of Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) has garnered local and national attention.

The students — dressed in graduation cap and gowns — were protesting to demand swift action on the DREAM Act, a piece of legislation pending in the U.S. Senate, which they say would create a path to citizenship. The act would require undocumented youth who are in the country to receive temporary residency status, then within six years complete at least two years of higher education or military service.

Among the youth was Mohammad Abdollahi, a 24-year-old gay man from Iran who lives in Ann Arbor. Abdollahi came to the U.S. when he was three-years-old. He was one of four youth arrested Monday night by Tucson Police.

Steve Ralls, communications director of Immigration Equality, put up a blog on the Huffington Post praising Abdollahi’s actions. Immigration Equality is a nonprofit based in Washington D.C. which is fighting for immigration reform for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. In the post, Ralls writes:

Simply put: Abdollahi, if arrested, will likely be deported to a country where gays and lesbians are put to death.

That is why the DREAM Act – which was recently included in a Senate immigration outline for comprehensive immigration reform – is so important to so many immigrants, both gay and straight. It is, quite literally, the difference between building a future in the United States or spending the future in a place where they must fear for their lives.

Meanwhile, KOLD was on the scene when the activists were loaded into the Tucson Police arrest van. Video can be seen here.

The protests were also reported by the New York Times, The Arizona Daily Star, The Phoenix New Times, and AnnArbor.com.

While the activists were sitting in McCain’s office, protesters gathered outside. They were met with some resistance, and confusion. Activist David Abie Morales has video on his Facebook page showing that activists were told the building in which McCain’s office was located was both privately owned and U.S. Government property.

Activists in Michigan are planning vigils in Detroit and Lansing Tuesday night. They will also hold a press conference Tuesday afternoon at a church near the state capitol.