Undocumented Student Protesters Released From Jail
5 Illegal Immigrants Released, Detention Orders Dropped
Posted: 05/11/2011
Last Updated:
740 days ago
Five young Latino illegal immigrants jailed after being arrested at Gov. Mitch Daniels' office while protesting two immigration bills were released from jail on bond Wednesday.Urier Gama, 20; Sayra Perez, 19; Guadalupe Pimental, 18; Erick Gama, 20; and Ana Ruiz-Toyar, 23, are charged with criminal trespass and disorderly conduct in connection with Monday's protest."I don't want to go back in there," Indiana University student Erick Gama told 6News' Derrik Thomas on Wednesday. "It takes too long. It's a waste of time. I'm here to study and get my degree."U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement lifted detention orders for the five Tuesday, saying in a statement that "pursuing removal proceedings against these individuals was not the best use of the agency's resources."The students were protesting two bills, including one that would deny lower in-state tuition at state-supported universities for illegal immigrants. Daniels signed both bills Tuesday.State Sen. Mike Delph, R-Indianapolis, the sponsor of one of the immigration bills, said ICE's decision amounts to catch and release."Today underscores the very sad state of affairs in our ever expansive and incompetent federal government," Delph said in a statement.The students are scheduled to be in court June 14.