And Justice for All? High School Valedictorian Faces 10-year Ban from U.S. Due to Immigration Status

Vidal Tapia is by all accounts International High School’s brightest prospect. A teacher-described “pillar of strength” at the Paterson school, he carries a 4.0 GPA, a National Honor Society membership and a slew of community service hours. He was tapped as his class’s valedictorian to give the commencement address in June. Eventually, he wants to work for NASA. But his plans might fall short of even graduation, not because of any academic problems, but rather an immigration snare. By next week, the 19-year-old senior could be sent back to his native Mexico, barred from returning to the United States for a decade.  Read on.

KJ