Stop Mercedes' Deportation

Mercedes came to the United States from Mexico at the age of 11. She is now 18 years old. She was brought up with good family values; she goes to church, plays soccer, loves to play the guitar and violin, and enjoys spending time with family and friends. She has always been a successful student who enjoys school and works hard. Mercedes hopes to continue her education to give herself and her family a better future.

On May 15th, 2011, a Sunday after going to church in Nashville, a police officer pulled over Mercedes Gonzalez for driving less than 10 miles over the speed limit. The officer asked Mercedes about her immigration status, put her in handcuffs and took her to jail. Mercedes and her family were devastated, as she was graduating from high school the following Saturday. Mercedes spent approximately 3 days in jail, and was told by immigration officials that she would never go back to school, graduate from high school or see her family again. Thanks to the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition and Jovenes Unidos por un Mejor Presente (JUMP), Mercedes was released but has been placed in deportation proceedings.

We must stop this injustice! Innocent people like Mercedes should not be treated with such cruelty. Sign this petition to ask Janet Napolitano to grant deferred action to Mercedes.