Friday, July 24, 2009

Don't Deport Taha!

UPDATE (7/24/09): Taha has been granted deferred action by DHS!!


From DreamACTivist.org:

Its heartbreaking how often we hear this story over and over again. Last month it was Walter Lara in Florida and this month it is Taha in New Jersey.

Update – Senator Menendez signed a letter asking DHS to defer Taha’s deportation.

TAKE ACTION NOW!
*We ask that you support us in KEEPING THE DREAM ALIVE by:

  1. Calling DHS comment line and asking them to not deport Taha: 202-282-8495, to make it easier just go here http://call.seiu.org/9/calldhs
  2. Calling Congressman Sires’s office in D.C.at 202-225-7919 to urge him to submit a private bill for Taha!
  3. Calling Senator Menendez’s office in D.C.at 202.224.4744 to urge him to submit a private bill for Taha!
  4. Calling Senator Lautenberg’s office in D.C.at (202) 224-3224 to urge him to submit a private bill for Taha!

Taha is 18 years old and just graduated Dickinson High School in Jersey City, NJ. In November of 1993, his parents brought him to America from Bangladash, when he was only 2 years old. He has lived in Jersey City for more than 16 years.

On July 29, 2009, he will be deported to Bangladesh – a country that he has no memory of or connection to.

If Taha return to Bangladesh, he will never have the chance to complete the education he has worked so hard all of his life to acquire.

Taha doesn’t read or write Bengali. He does’t even know its alphabet. Moving back there will mean moving to a foreign country where he’ll have to start his life again from scratch.

Taha has been educated in America, K – 12. He achieved many awards in high school such as Academic Author Award, Principal’s Award, Honor Roll and Merit Wall.

His teachers opened his eyes to so many great opportunities in this country. His career dream is to be a pediatrician, working in a clinic or hospital environment, and giving back to our great country that has given him so much.

Taha hopes to attend St. Peter’s College in Jersey City, NJ to study Marketing and Pre-Med.

Picture yourself in Taha’s shoes. All that he needs help with is getting permission to continue living in the country he loves and calls home so that he can complete his education and spend the rest of his life giving back to the country – the only home he can ever remember living in.

-Also, we request that anyone with a connection to a local church, mosque, temple or synagogue to get a letter of support from them and send to mo@dreamactivist.org