kids were in protest. deport time
adios amigos
PHOENIX (CBS5) -
Four of six undocumented students arrested Tuesday during a protest of Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's immigration policies Tuesday could face deportation.
The four adults arrested were placed on 24 to 48-hour holds Wednesday during their initial court appearances. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials will use the holds to determine whether the protesters will be deported.
Two juveniles also arrested were released.
Officer James Holmes with the Phoenix Police Department said all six were arrested for disorderly conduct and obstructing a thoroughfare.
Holmes said the six arrests consisted of two men, two women and two girls who are minors.
The arrested protesters were identified as Ofelia Sanchez, 18, Hugo Sanchez, 23, Daniela Cruz, 20, Viridiana Hernandez, 20, a 16-year-old girl and a 17-year-old girl.
The protest took place outside Trevor Brown High School off 75th Avenue north of Thomas in Phoenix.
Lilly Romo was one of the protesters. Romo is a pre-med major at Grand Canyon University. Romo said protesters wanted to send a message that undocumented students should not have to live in fear of being arrested.
"This society has invested so much in me already that I want to give back," Romo said. "I don't want to hide. I want to pay taxes and give everything to the community that has given me everything and embraced me, but I won't be able to give it back because of my undocumented status I am unable to do that."
At 5 p.m., there were more than 100 people. Many of the protesters were high school and college students.
Initially, it looked like some protesters were trying to get arrested by walking onto 75th Avenue to block traffic.
Phoenix Police decided to simply re-route traffic and leave the protesters alone.
The group marched in support of the DREAM Act, a proposal that would pave a path to citizenship for undocumented students.
"I grew up here my whole life," said undocumented student Brenda Dominguez. " I feel like I am American, too. I should have the chance to be equal to everyone else."
One of the targets of Tuesday's rally was Arpaio, who made national news for his immigration enforcement sweeps across the Valley.
Arpaio told CBS 5 News these students should spend less time targeting him and more time petitioning Congress, which has the power to change federal law.
"It's a tough situation this DREAM Act," said Arpaio. "I do have compassion. I understand their concerns, yet enforcing the law overrides my compassion."