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Last updated on Tuesday, May 10, 2011
(STATEHOUSE) - After spending months petitioning against Indiana’s illegal immigration bills, undocumented immigrants made a last-ditch effort Monday to keep them from being passed into law.
Dozens of immigrant students gathered at the statehouse Monday in hopes of convincing Gov. Daniels to veto two bills they believe would promote discrimination and give the state a bad image by repealing in-state college tuition for those who cannot prove citizenship.
As planned, five of them were arrested for criminal trespass after entering the governor's office, linking arms and refusing to leave.
Indiana University Student Kary Carreño reacted to their arrests, accusing state police of going after kids seeking an education, instead of drug dealers.
IUPUI Senior Claudia Montes argued the legislation would create more than problems than it fixes.
She says the crackdown would keep thousands from seeking higher education and cause state universities to lose revenue as well as cultural diversity.
Guadalupe Pimentel's parents brought her to Indiana from Mexico in 2000.
The Ivy Tech Community College student was one of the five who were led away in handcuffs.
The Governor's Office confirmed Daniels was inside his office when the arrests took place.
His spokeswoman, Jane Jankowski, said the incident will not affect his decision to sign both into law.
As of Monday night, SB590 and HB1402 had not received Daniels' signature.
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