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Walter Lara, a twenty-three year old undocumented honor student from Miami, was set to be deported today to Argentina. He is remaining in the United States for the time being, however, because the Department of Homeland Security deferred Lara’s deportation until July 3rd, 2010 after activists campaign intensively on his behalf. The honors graduate of Miami Dade community college held a 4.7 GPA in high school while earning more than 1,000 hours of community service. Born in Argentina, Lara came to the U.S. at the age of three with his parents. He didn’t learn about his undocumented immigration status until he tried to apply to the University of Central Florida. Though elated at the deferment of his deportation, Lara understands that his victory is short-term: he released a statement immediately following the good news saying, “my sights are clearly set on the struggle ahead to build a long-term future for me and the more than 2 million like me whose lives may be cut short, dreams deferred.” Lara is an advocate for the DREAM ACT, which he says if passed would help him and others in the same situation remain in the U.S. and contribute to its society.

GUEST: Walter Lara, undocumented former student, advocate for the DREAM Act. For more information, visit www.dreamactivist.org.