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New Mexico Man Who Saved Girl Is Illegal Immigrant

Antonia Diaz Chacon becomes new face in debate

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 19, 2011 5:29 PM CDT

(Newser) – A new twist to the story of a New Mexico man hailed as a hero for saving a 6-year-old girl from a kidnapper: Antonio Diaz Chacon is an illegal immigrant. The 23-year-old has been married to an American and living in the US for four years, but he gave up on trying to gain legal residency because it was such a long, expensive process, reports AP. Now that his illegal status has come to light, he is being thrust into the debate.

"As exceptional as his story is, it points to the fact that most undocumented immigrants living in the United States are not criminals," says a spokeswoman for Border Network for Human Rights in El Paso. "He's more than not a criminal now. He's a hero." (The city of Albuquerque recognized him as such today.) Others point out that if the governor is successful in preventing illegals from getting a driver's license, the type of rescue he pulled off would not have happened. Click to read how the US will ease off on deporting illegals who have no criminal record.

Antonio Diaz Chacon stands outside his home in Albuquerque, N.M.
Antonio Diaz Chacon stands outside his home in Albuquerque, N.M.   (AP Photo/Susan Montoya Bryan, File)
Martha Diaz and her husband, Antonio Diaz Chacon, talk to reporters in Albuquerque, N.M.
Martha Diaz and her husband, Antonio Diaz Chacon, talk to reporters in Albuquerque, N.M.   (AP Photo/Susan Montoya Bryan)
Antonio Diaz Chacon stands next to his truck while talking to reporters about his rescue of a 6-year-old girl.
Antonio Diaz Chacon stands next to his truck while talking to reporters about his rescue of a 6-year-old girl.   (AP Photo/Susan Montoya Bryan)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 57 comments
onbeshero
Aug 20, 2011 2:23 PM CDT
Was the kidnapper a legal citizen?
BrushMan
Aug 20, 2011 11:54 AM CDT
Everything you eat was at  touched in some way by an "illegal," whether on the farm, at the factory, or at the grill. You had better hope they do not decide to stay home from work; you will have nothing for your supper.
NationalSovereignty
Aug 20, 2011 11:23 AM CDT
Please stop... Illegals in California can get on SNAP, Section 8, Cash Aid. It's ridiculous... We need a voucher program for all social programs, anyone who doesn't want to participate and receive the benefits they don't have to pay into it... That's TRUE freedom. You guys can love your socialism all you want, stop trying to force me to like it. If I don't have to pay for you then I really don't give a damn if you come here.

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