Brazilian Ole Miss Student Patricia Pacheco Facing Deportation after Seeking Asylum

University of Mississippi student Patricia Pacheco, 22, is facing deportation because she is an illegal immigrant. According to the Commercial Appeal, her mother finally told her she was an illegal immigrant a few years ago when she discovered she could not get a driver's license. They came to the United States from Brazil when Pacheco was 7, in September 1995. Patricia Pacheco disclosed her immigration status five years ago when she decided to file for asylum.

Now, Patricia Pacheco is facing a deportation hearing on September 28th. I wouldn't deport her, since she took steps to correct a problem created by her mother. She's doing the right thing, but upholding the law is paramount and we can't ignore the fact what asylum really means. Granting asylum status is for immigrants who face persecution in their native country on the grounds of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group. Brazil doesn't fit that category, so why should she be granted asylum?


I applaud her for attending Ole Miss and paying her tuition out of pocket, instead of taking the low road like some illegal immigrants, particularly those whose children attend universities and colleges, and not reveal their true immigration status, thereby going to school off taxpayers like you and I. I hope the Department of Homeland Security will allow her to stay, since she took the initiative to let them know she was an illegal immigrant who wanted to do the right thing. She could have very easily remained under the radar.