WASHINGTON - Congressman Charles Rangel expressed disappointment with the failure of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to adjust the immigration status of Princeton University student Dan-el Padilla.
The 21-year old Dominican-born student, who graduated in June at the top of his class and earned a graduate scholarship to Oxford, was seeking to earn permanent residency status so that he could safely return to the United States after his studies. He came to this country on temporary visa when he was four, accompanying his mother as she sought medical treatment during the pregnancy of his younger brother.
It is unclear whether Padilla, who plans to leave for London this week, will be able to obtain a temporary visa in the future to see his family or even live stateside. For his part, Rangel said that he would continue lobbying DHS and other federal officials to allow Padilla to return legally to the U.S.
"It is a shame that one of this country's best and brightest students will not be allowed to return to the only place he has called home," said Congressman Rangel. "No one benefits from this lack of action -- not his loved ones who cannot see him and definitely not American society, which may lose out on his future contributions."
Rangel also pledged to continue to work on behalf of the hundreds of other immigrant children who find themselves locked out of a college education. He urged his Congressional colleagues to pass the DREAM ACT, which would allow undocumented students in good academic standing an opportunity to earn their permanent residency and eventually their citizenship.
"The power of the American Dream has always been that it was extended to all of those who sought it," said Rangel." We need to increase access to college for all talented young people, regardless of immigration status. The future of our nation and its ability to compete in global economy depends on the contributions of everyone."
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