By LeAnne Gendreau
NBC Connecticut
Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011
Just hours after learning that he will be able to stay in the United States, at least for another year, a Mexican-born American man will participate in a panel on deportation.
Central Connecticut State University is screening "Tony and Janina's American Wedding: A Deportation Love Story" on Wednesday night and Mariano Cardoso will be one of the speakers during a panel discussion.
Cardoso, a 22-year-old student at Capitol Community College, was brought to the United States when he was 22 months old and has been living in New Britain.
In 2008, Cardoso was unable to show federal authorities who had turned up at a family picnic that he was a citizen. To become a citizen, before he was busted, he would have had to go to Mexico and apply for a U.S. visa.
He was in danger of being deported, but learned on Tuesday that he will be able to stay in the United States. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a temporary stay of removal, which is renewable each year.
Cardoso has been taking classes for the last five years, paying his tuition without student loans. This is his last semester and then he wants to become a civil engineer or a math teacher.
Another panelist is Ruth Leitman, who created the documentary being screened.
The panel will discuss the patchwork of state and federal laws and policies that have led to 400,000 detentions annually, 360,000 deportations, polarizing legislative prescriptions at the state level and a simmering debate in Congress over what to do about immigration when the whole world appears to be on the move.
The screening of a short version of the film will begin at 4:30 p.m.
http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/the-scene/events/Mariano-Cardoso-to-Speak-on-Deportation-Panel-120800909.html
