Boxing For Freedom
Carlos Olmeda’s family decided to immigrate to the United States nine years ago with hopes for a better life and more opportunities. Carlos originally did not want to join them but soon changed his mind after getting into a fight on the street. Not wanting to deal with the issues surrounding the fight without his family’s support, Carlos left Mexico with his family on January 14, 2006. Two days later, through a series of running, car rides and flights the Olmeda family ended up in Durham, North Carolina. In 2012 Carlos enrolled in the DACA program put forward by the Obama Administration to protect younger undocumented immigrants from being deported. This allowed Carlos to work and live in the United States without being in a constant state of fear. Two years later, on June 14, 2014, Carlos’ mother passed away from cancer leaving him extremely depressed. He turned to alcohol to numb the pain, which led to a car accident in October of 2014. The DUI charge continues to be pending in court to this day which prevents Carlos from renewing his DACA status.
This year President Trump ended the program in September allowing a six-month stay on repeal to give Congress time to figure out a replacement program Trump gave those in the program an October 5th deadline to renew. Unable to renew, Carlos began to search for other options to remain in the country legally. Always being a great fighter and amateur boxer, Carlos decided to make a push for a special type of visa reserved for gifted athletes known as a P1 visa. On November 16th a federal immigration judge in Charlotte granted Carlos continuance of stay until May 6, 2018. In that time, Carlos continues to train for fights to further his boxing career as well as enjoy life in America in case things don’t work out as he hopes.
This year President Trump ended the program in September allowing a six-month stay on repeal to give Congress time to figure out a replacement program Trump gave those in the program an October 5th deadline to renew. Unable to renew, Carlos began to search for other options to remain in the country legally. Always being a great fighter and amateur boxer, Carlos decided to make a push for a special type of visa reserved for gifted athletes known as a P1 visa. On November 16th a federal immigration judge in Charlotte granted Carlos continuance of stay until May 6, 2018. In that time, Carlos continues to train for fights to further his boxing career as well as enjoy life in America in case things don’t work out as he hopes.