Daniela Pelaez, the North Miami Senior High School valedictorian who was nearly deported, is graduating this Friday. Pelaez’s story caught international headlines after her request for a green card was denied by an Immigration Judge, sparking a national debate on the Dream Act. On March 2^nd, more than 1000 of her schoolmates walked out of classes and took the streets of Miami to protest the Immigration Judge’s order. Pelaez was subsequently granted a two-year reprieve. Pelaez plans to attend Dartmouth College in New Hampshire this coming fall to study biology and history as her career goal is to become a heart surgeon. Pelaez worked with Florida lawmakers to raise awareness about young undocumented students like herself, supporting The Studying Towards Adjusted Residency Status Act, or STARS, which grants permission to students to remain in the US if they get a college degree. The STARS Act would allow undocumented immigrants who are 19 years old and younger, arrived in the US before age 16, and have resided in the country for at least the previous five years, the opportunity to stay in the US for another five years and to eventually adjust their status if they earn a college degree. Pelaez along with her sister started her own foundation, We Are Here Foundation, Inc., to collect money and provide scholarships to undocumented students in the US.

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