http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-903754.mp3
Kansas City, Mo. – The movement for immigrants' rights has been held back by the fact that many illegal immigrants are reluctant to advocate openly for their cause. But this week, a small group of young immigrants, some of whom are undocumented, began a high-stakes campaign of civil disobedience.
Five students held a sit-in in Senator John McCain's office in Tucson, Arizona, calling on him to sponsor a bill that would create a path to citizenship for undocumented students. It's been dubbed the DREAM ACT by supporters, and for years has garnered bipartisan support, but has lacked aggressive leadership in Congress to push it through.
Four of the students who protested in Senator McCain's office were arrested on Monday. Three were turned into Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Among the young people facing deportation is Kansas City resident Yahaira Carrillo. Carrillo was released from detention the next day. She's still in Arizona, waiting for a court hearing on June 16th. KCUR's Sylvia Maria Gross caught up with her over the phone on Friday (May 21, 2010), and Carrillo said she went into the situation knowing the risks.
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