Jessica Colotl controversy

Jessica Colotl is an undocumented immigrant and a senior at Kennesaw State University who sparked widespread debate over the issue of immigration after she was arrested for driving without a license and faces deportation.^[1] Colotl, age 21 as of May 2010,^[1] was brought from Mexico by her parents into the US when she was either 10 years old^[2][3][4]or 11 years old.^[5] Colotl has become the center of much heated debate over immigration policy, including the enrollment of non-citizens in state universities and discussion about the controversial law 287(g) which allowed police to turn her over to immigration enforcement. Colotl's arrest took place in a climate of intense debate over immigration law because Arizona had recently passed a controversial law allowing police to ask for proof of legal residency from anyone they have reasonable suspicion against for being an illegal alien (race may explicitly not be a factor in deciding reasonable suspicion), and have already stopped for some other crime.^[6] Proponents of both sides of the immigration debate rallied around the issue of Colotl's arrest, which has become a 'flashpoint' in the intense debate over immigration.^[7]

Background

Arrest and charges

Controversy

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Associated Press (May 14, 2010). "Georgia College Student Ignites Immigration Debate". Fox News. http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/05/14/college-student-ignites-immigration-debate/. 
2. ^ Jay Black (May 2, 2010). "Thousands in Atlanta Demand Immigration Reform". WSB News. http://wsbradio.com/localnews/2010/05/thousands-in-atlanta-demand-im.html. 
3. ^ Myfoxatlanta staff (May 14, 2010). "KSU Student Jessica Colotl Speaks After Jail Release: Colotl speaks at news conference with supporters". Fox News. http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/dpp/news/illegal-ksu-student-jessica-colotl-051410. 
4. ^ Mark Davis, Helena Oliviero (May 16, 2010). "New face on an old debate: Colotl case spotlights illegal immigration saga in Cobb County". Atlanta Journal Constitution. http://www.ajc.com/news/new-face-on-an-528244.html?cxtype=rss_news_128746. 
5. ^ http://www.11alive.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=143986
6. ^ Jessica Ravitz (May 16, 2010). "Undocumented student's arrest called part of 'civil rights disaster'". CNN. http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/05/14/georgia.student.immigration/?hpt=T2. 
7. ^ Associated Press (May 22, 2010). "GOP Georgia governor hopefuls tout Arizona law". The Augusta Chronicle. http://chronicle.augusta.com/2010-05-22/gop-georgia-governor-hopefuls-tout-arizona-law?v=1274583320.