Illegal immigrant enters plea in General Assembly protest case

Raleigh, N.C. — An illegal immigrant entered a special guilty plea on Monday to charges that he interrupted a General Assembly committee meeting when he shouted out his opposition to lawmakers' talks on toughening the state's policy on illegal immigration.

Uriel Alberto, 25, of Winston-Salem, entered an Alford plea to charges of disorderly conduct in connection with the disturbance at the Feb. 29 meeting.

In an Alford plea, a defendant pleads guilty, while maintaining his innocence, and admits it is in his best interest to take the plea deal because there is sufficient evidence that could find him guilty.

He was sentenced to time served.

Alberto, who was one of three people arrested, has said he was protesting with the advocacy group NC Dream Team, in part, how U.S. immigration laws affect immigrants who have been raised in America yet cannot obtain citizenship as adults.

A native of Mexico, he has lived in the United States since he was 7 years old.

He could face deportation as a result of his arrest. His case is being appealed.

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"It's easy for everyone to sit behind their computer screen and talk trash about this guy when he belongs here just as much as we do. Give him the chance to make his status legal and leave it alone." - yeahright-jr

Yeah right, let's keep the illegals with lengthy criminal records and make the legal immigrants with PhDs wait years to come to the U.S. - sounds like just the policy we need.

westernwake1
July 3, 2012 9:46 a.m.

As outlined in the N&O today the headline should actually read "Alberto arrives late to court, Continues to disrespect U.S. laws" -

http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/07/03/2174813/immigrant-protester-at-legislative.html

"Judge Erin Graber, who presided over the case on Monday, admonished Alberto for being late. She told him there were other ways than disrupting legislative hearings to get his message across."

"Though Graber had issued an arrest warrant Monday morning when Alberto was not present, she and the prosecutors agreed not to arrest him after he arrived an hour late."

The pro-illegal immigration crowd picked a real 'winner' to represent their cause this time - a woman-beating, drunk driving, non-license driving, and law disrespecting 'champion'.

westernwake1
July 3, 2012 9:19 a.m.

It still amazes me how WE stole this land from another group of people many, many years ago yet everyone thinks this is still our country. It's easy for everyone to sit behind their computer screen and talk trash about this guy when he belongs here just as much as we do. Give him the chance to make his status legal and leave it alone.

yeahright-jr
July 3, 2012 9:09 a.m.

It seems that this guy has been in trouble with the law before. Either way because of his plea he now has a crimminal record so the Dream act that was forced on us can no longer protect him. Lets see if NC will do the right thing and enforce the law the way it was written.

loprestw
July 3, 2012 8:51 a.m.

Why is he still here? I will give North Carolina the money to send him out of here. This is disgusting. whatelseisnew

He is still here because liberal democrats will trade the United States of America sovereignty for a few more votes to advance their agenda. Rabbitdog

Look at what Obama did last week - that is proof that he'll do ANYTHING for a few more votes. That includes selling out the American people and giving their jobs to law-breaking illegals!