(06/06/06) PRINCETON ? The graduation of this year?s salutatorian from Princeton University brings the issue of immigration close to home for many students.

Danel Padilla is living the American dream. The graduating student was awarded a full grant for his college education from Princeton University. He has also been offered a scholarship to study at Oxford University in England. However, Padilla?s background makes this story of American hard work and achievement different. He has recently come forward and admitted he?s an illegal immigrant.

Padilla?s family moved to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic when he was 4 years old. The salutatorian?s friends have rallied for his cause. Many hope to see citizenship granted to the children of illegal immigrants who graduate high school.

Although Padilla has been offered the Oxford scholarship, he?s not sure if he?s going to go. He fears he could be barred from re-entering America for ten years once he leaves the country. Padilla is waiting for federal authorities to rule on his case.