Politics & Government

Bryn Mawr Students to Show Support for Undocumented Classmate

Jessica Hyejin Lee, 20, was arrested in Philadelphia on Wednesday.

Two undocumented college students—one of them a junior—were arrested by Philadelphia police Wednesday night after a protest, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Bryn Mawr student Jessica Hyejin Lee, 20, and fellow activist Tania Chairez, 19, a student at the University of Pennsylvania, have both been open about their undocumented status, according to a post on Bryn Mawr College's website. At the time of their arrest in front of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the deportation police known as ICE, they were both wearing shirts that said "Undocumented, Unafraid, Unapologetic," according to the post. The protest was organized by DreamActivist/PA.

As of 1 p.m. Thursday, hundreds of Bryn Mawr College students have responded to a Facebook event to show their support for Lee. Students are planning to gather in the campus center's main lounge from 7:30 to 9 p.m. to show their support for their fellow Mawrter.

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According to the event description, Lee and Chairez were marching in front of ICE to show their support for Miguel Garcia, "an undocumented American who is Dream-Act elligible but has been in jail for the past 7 months. Miguel has two young children and a fiance who are American citizens and need him dearly."

David Bennion of DreamActivist/PA will be on hand to speak, according to the Facebook event description. He will address the recent arrests of Lee and Chairez, as well as undocumented youth in general.

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"This is a critical time for the Bryn Mawr community to support one of our fellow Mawrters and get involved in her struggle for justice!" the description reads.

There has also been a significant outpouring of support on Twitter—many of the tweets including a link to a SignOn.org petition—asking for the release of the two women. 


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