Young Illegal Immigrants Arrested at Immigration Bill Protest

ATLANTA, Ga. - At least six young illegal immigrants were arrested Tuesday at a rally protesting the Georgia’s immigration law. They were among a group that had gathered at the state capitol to protest HB 87, and they were arrested after police said they blocked traffic to protest the state’s new policies.

Authorities say the six young activists spoke at the rally before a crowd of about 200 people before the led a march through downtown Atlanta, and then retued to the Capitol to block traffic.  Some of those arrested were wearing caps and gowns when they were taken into custody.

According to the group The DREAM is Coming, three 16-year-old students, two 18 year olds, and a 24 year old were arrested by capitol police. Four of the students are said to be high school students, while one recently graduated high school and the sixth recently graduated college. All but one of the students arrested are Georgia residents, the group said.

Authorities said the adults arrested—Felipe Baeza, 24; Dulce Guerrero, 18; and Jessica Vasquez, 18—are being held at the Fulton County Jail. The two female juveniles and one male juvenile are all from Atlanta, and they’re being released to their parents with copies of the charges for their Juvenile Court proceedings.

The rally was planned to protest a new law that targeting illegal immigration. A federal judge's ruling on Monday blocked some parts of that law, but other parts will take effect Friday or on Jan. 1 as set forth in the text of the law.