Kbob
06-03-2008, 11:00 AM
Rather than place this story in "General Topics" where members respond to issues of immigration with freak-outs and cries of "racism," I thought I would bury this sad story in the Immigration Forum where it really belongs anyway.
This kid has been here since he was 2 years old, but because of our Draconian legal system, he is about to be deported despite the clear promise he can bring to his community. Plus, the reason his family is here in the first place is for seeking asylum, a process that is nearly impossible to achieve in this country.
Some would say "Blame the parents." And others might say "Well, the law is the law." But I just don't understand such shallow sentiments when actual LIVES and the FUTURES of young people are at stake.
Arthur Mkoyan's 4.0 grade-point average has made him a valedictorian at Bullard High School in Fresno and qualified him to enter one of the state's top universities.
But while his classmates look forward to dorm food and college courses this fall, Arthur Mkoyan may not make it.
He is being deported.
Arthur, 17, and his mother have been ordered out of the country. By late June, they may be headed to Armenia.
Arthur hasn't seen Armenia since he was 2, and he doesn't want to return. The thin, rather shy teenager doesn't speak Armenian and barely understands the language when it's spoken to him.
"Hopefully, I can somehow stay here and continue my studies here," he said. "It would be hard if I go back."
The family fled from the old Soviet Union and has been seeking asylum since 1992. The appeals ran out this year.
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MUCH more at link
This kid has been here since he was 2 years old, but because of our Draconian legal system, he is about to be deported despite the clear promise he can bring to his community. Plus, the reason his family is here in the first place is for seeking asylum, a process that is nearly impossible to achieve in this country.
Some would say "Blame the parents." And others might say "Well, the law is the law." But I just don't understand such shallow sentiments when actual LIVES and the FUTURES of young people are at stake.
Arthur Mkoyan's 4.0 grade-point average has made him a valedictorian at Bullard High School in Fresno and qualified him to enter one of the state's top universities.
But while his classmates look forward to dorm food and college courses this fall, Arthur Mkoyan may not make it.
He is being deported.
Arthur, 17, and his mother have been ordered out of the country. By late June, they may be headed to Armenia.
Arthur hasn't seen Armenia since he was 2, and he doesn't want to return. The thin, rather shy teenager doesn't speak Armenian and barely understands the language when it's spoken to him.
"Hopefully, I can somehow stay here and continue my studies here," he said. "It would be hard if I go back."
The family fled from the old Soviet Union and has been seeking asylum since 1992. The appeals ran out this year.
[Only registered and activated users can see links] ([Only registered and activated users can see links];3A%2F%2F[Only registered and activated users can see links])
MUCH more at link