Jose Zelaya is running for student body president at Texas A & M University (TAMU). He is a graduate student at TAMU who purports to be the worlds fastest crocheter. He is also, according to an story by Vimal Patel in the Sunday, Febuary 26, 2012 Bryan/College Station Eagle an undocumented immigrant, subject to deportation.
Zelaya would not be the first undocumented immigrant to become student body president of a an American university. Patel's story notes a Cal State Fresno student holds that distinction. TAMU, however, with an enrollment of almost 50,00 students is one of the largest universities in the country, seeped in tradition and located in the arguable the reddest state in the country.
Zelaya's background is inspirational, including his younger brother's death from asthma and his own injury while playing soccer by an errant bullet from a drive by shooting. He is quoted as saying he is disclosing his immigration status and running for student body president of TAMU to bring attention on the DREAM Act. a University of Houston immigration law professor is quoted in the story as calling Zelaya's run "courageous but ill-advised". Zelaya's dream: Teach.