FEINSTEIN STEPS IN TO HELP FRESNO VALEDICTORIAN
By Clint Olivier & Laura Fabian
KMPH Fox 26, CA
June 11 2008
At his graduation ceremony, Bullard High’s Arthur Mkoyen stands for
the ‘Star Spangled Banner’ while the laws of his adopted home country,
are calling for him to be deported, and soon.
The valedictorian with a 4.0 grade point average is just days away
from being sent back to his native Armenia.
"I was just thinking about what is going to happen next," he said.
Immigration officials gave Arthur and his family an extension until
June 20th so they could attend the ceremony even though they were
supposed to leave sooner.
But there was heartbreak.
Arthur’s dad couldn’t make it, he’s being held at a detention center
in Arizona.
"I was sad that he wasn’t there. They wouldn’t even let him out to
come to my graduation," he said.
Now California senator Dianne Feinstein is getting involved.
In a statement released Tuesday, Feinstein said:
"This is a family that has deep roots in the community and has
worked hard.
The children have excelled in school. So I am introducing a private
bill so they can stay in this country."
The private bill would provide Arthur, and his mother and father with
permanent residency.
Nathan Alchian says he would miss his friend of seven years, if the
worst case scenario played out.
"I really wish he could stay in this country so he can achieve what
he’s done through his high school education," he said.
With so much to deal with on one of the biggest days of his young life,
Arthur Mkoyen says he stayed positive, and enjoyed his moment.
"I just kept happy, happy thoughts in my mind, and just got through
it," he said.
If everything works out, Arthur has plans to attend U.C. Davis in
the Fall.
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From: "Katia M. Peltekian" <[email protected]>
Subject: Feinstein Steps In To Help Fresno Valedictorian
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KMPH Fox 26, CA
June 11 2008
Feinstein Steps In To Help Fresno Valedictorian
Posted: June 11, 2008 09:15 AM
By Clint Olivier & Laura Fabian
At his graduation ceremony, Bullard High’s Arthur Mkoyen stands for the ‘Star Spangled Banner’ while the laws of his adopted home country, are calling for him to be deported, and soon.
The valedictorian with a 4.0 grade point average is just days away from being sent back to his native Armenia.
"I was just thinking about what is going to happen next," he said.
Immigration officials gave Arthur and his family an extension until June 20th so they could attend the ceremony even though they were supposed to leave sooner.
But there was heartbreak.
Arthur’s dad couldn’t make it, he’s being held at a detention center in Arizona.
"I was sad that he wasn’t there. They wouldn’t even let him out to come to my graduation," he said.
Now California senator Dianne Feinstein is getting involved.
In a statement released Tuesday, Feinstein said:
"This is a family that has deep roots in the community and has worked hard.
The children have excelled in school. So I am introducing a private bill so they can stay in this country."
The private bill would provide Arthur, and his mother and father with permanent residency.
Nathan Alchian says he would miss his friend of seven years, if the worst case scenario played out.
"I really wish he could stay in this country so he can achieve what he’s done through his high school education," he said.
With so much to deal with on one of the biggest days of his young life, Arthur Mkoyen says he stayed positive, and enjoyed his moment.
"I just kept happy, happy thoughts in my mind, and just got through it," he said.
If everything works out, Arthur has plans to attend U.C. Davis in the Fall.
–Boundary_(ID_5J6/8FvrBGxCDzYWYb9/wg)–