SC man feds want to deport will get day in court

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — An illegal immigrant from South Carolina that the government wants to deport will get a federal court hearing in his case.

A federal judge in Charlotte, N.C., agreed on Tuesday that 27-year-old Gabino Sanchez of Ridgeland may return to court next February to argue against deportation.

Sanchez has several misdemeanor convictions for driving without a license.

U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez, an Illinois Democrat, has championed Sanchez’ case and hundreds of people attended a rally before the Tuesday hearing.

Sanchez has been in this country for 10 years and has two children who are U.S. citizens.

Gutierrez has argued the new Obama administration policy on deportation is to target illegal immigrants who are a threat to public safety or who commit serious crimes. Sanchez has not been convicted of any felony.