UCLA Undocumented Alumnus Needs Support

A message from IDEAS at UCLA:

Dear UCLA Community and allies, 

Matias Ramos, UCLA alumnus, was recently given the order to leave his home the United States back to Argentina within 13 days. In addition, he was ordered to wear an electronic tracking device around his ankle. Such an act is an affront to his humanity and another attempt by ICE officials to break down the fighting spirit that resides within him. 

Matias has been an inspiration because he has never been afraid of speaking out about his undocumented status when others did not. Matias was part of one of the first waves of undocumented students to benefit from AB540 and was fundamental in the development of IDEAS at UCLA (a support and advocacy group for undocumented students who attend UCLA). Matias was the Co-Chair of IDEAS from 2007-2008 along with Fabiola Inzunza and fought for many of the resources that current IDEAS members and the larger UCLA community benefit from. In addition, Matias was one of the founding members of United We Dream (UWD), the first national undocumented student organization aimed at fighting for the DREAM Act. 

It is up to us now, his family, and allies to stand up for a fellow UCLA Bruin by signing a petition that asks ICE to stop his deportation: Education Not Deportation Petition 

We also urge you to call Fairfax ICE field director Francisco Madrigal at 703-285-6230 asking him to stop the deportation of Matias Ramos. 

Sample Script: 
Hello, my name is ______.  I’m calling to ask Mr. Francisco Madrigal to cancel the deportation of Matias Ramos (A# 089708376) and other cases of undocumented immigrant youth in deportation proceedings. The Fairfax ICE field office has failed to follow procedures mandated by President Obama regarding the halt of deportation of people like Matias. 

We ask to please forward this e-mail and the link to the petition to all of your contacts and urge anyone you know to do the same. We need to make sure that Matias stays home and that he feels the support from his IDEAS and UCLA family. Let's show him that, unlike this broken immigration system, we will not let him down! 

Best,
IDEAS at UCLA Board 2011-2012