A Rio Grande Valley lawmaker is speaking out about the suicide of a Juarez-Lincoln High School student who was hoping to attend the college under the failed Dream Act.
The family of Joaquin Luna said the teen the teen was an illegal immigrant took his life over anxiety about being able to attend college.
U.S. Congressman Ruben Hinojosa (D-Mercedes) said expressed his condolences to Luna's family and said he supported the Dream Act.
The legislaton died in Congress but would have allowed illegal immigrants brought to the United States as children to attend college and get a job after graduation.
Congressman Ruben Hinojosa's Full Statement:
"I cannot even express the sorrow I feel on the loss of such a talented young man as Joaquin Luna. This is especially heartbreaking to know that many of us in Congress came very close to passing the DREAM Act only to see it held up in the Senate. I implore my colleagues in the United States Congress and I especially urge President Obama to work with the House and the Senate to pass the DREAM Act as soon as possible. In passing the DREAM Act we will give these deserving and talented students the right to complete their college education and work for, and serve this country. I extend my heartfelt sorrow for Joaquin's family and I cannot even imagine the pain they must feel. This should never have happened. Joaquin and the other DREAM Act students deserve much better than this. It is time we make this right."
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