Support Growing for C.W.U. Student Fighting Possible Deportation
Al Okere fighting deportation
Support is growing to help a Central Washington University student fight his potential deportation to Nigeria. The student tells us why he thinks he'll be in danger if he's sent back to a country he doesn't remember.
Eight days have passed since Central Washington University student Al Okere took his fight against possible deportation to Nigeria to You-Tube. He's amazed at the reaction over his situation.
"All of a sudden it's looking brighter, I have, you know, student body presidents, and presidents of schools, and my professors helping out, talking to senators and people like that," says Okere.
The senior is also getting support from thousands who have signed an online petition hoping to keep him in the U.S. Okere and his mother arrived in the U.S. in 1995 four years after his father was killed in front of his family for reporting on corruption in Nigeria.
After years of living in the U.S., his mother's attempt to seek asylum was denied, and she was deported in 2007. Okere believes his life will be in danger if he's deported.
"She's in hiding right now, I don't want that for myself, I'm 21, I want to be a pediatrician, I have dreams, I have goals, I can't live the rest of my life in hiding, cooped up, I definitely don't want to die," says Okere.
Central's student Vice President for Legislative Affairs Mike Merz saw Okere's video of his story online, and wanted to help.
"Wow this is happening on our campus, to a student that I represent, and that we need to do something about this," says Merz.
Merz is preparing a resolution to be considered by the student body government, showing support for keeping al in the United States.
"Al's been here a long time, and is a good student, and is a good member of the community and he should be accommodated," says Merz.
And Al can't believe so many strangers care about him.
"The fact that people would take time out of their everyday lives, just to help a kid they don't know, it's a blessing, I feel blessed," says Okere.
Okere says his lawyer is filing a motion to stop a deportation order issued by a judge in 2004 from taking effect. A spokesperson from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency in Seattle declined to comment on Okere's case because it is an open investigation.