Teen fighting deportation after store theft

PORTLAND, Ore. – A high school senior who has lived in the United States since he was 7 years old is scheduled to be deported to Mexico this week.

Gustavo Romero-Alvarez stole a shirt from Macy’s last year and authorities discovered his illegal immigrant status. Supporters who say that’s not enough to deport Alvarez plan to hold a vigil Wednesday night outside Portland City Hall.

The Centennial High School senior told KATU News he came to the U.S. when he was 7 years old and has no memory of Mexico. He says he regrets stealing the shirt.

“Obviously what I did was wrong,” said Alvarez. “I believe I’m doing this here not only for myself, but other undocumented people, immigrants.”

Alvarez spent 2 months in Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention after the theft.

After KATU's story originally aired on TV, an ICE spokeswoman provided a statement from the federal agency.

"Mr. Alvarez was originally encountered by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers following his incarceration at the Clackamas County Jail in June 2010.  He was subsequently turned over to ICE and placed in immigration proceedings," the statement said. "In August, an immigration judge ruled that Mr. Alvarez had no legal basis to remain in the United States and instructed him to voluntarily depart the country by Dec. 16.  If Mr. Alvarez fails to leave by that time, the grant of voluntarily departure will become a final order of removal."

Alvarez’s advocate, Jaime Limon-Guzman, believes he is eligible for President Barack Obama’s DREAM Act, a mandate for immigration to use discretion in deportation cases.

Alvarez says he doesn’t know anyone in Mexico and is afraid to go back. He says he has a dream he hopes to accomplish here in the U.S.

“I wanted to be a firefighter. That was my dream,” he said.