WFAA-TV

TCCC students rallied in support of their classmate.

ARLINGTON — More than 50 students and teachers at Tarrant County College rallied Tuesday in support of one of their colleagues.

Victoria Chiwara, 19, was arrested and detained by Homeland Security officials last month after her immigration attorney missed a filing deadline. She and her family came to the U.S. from Zimbabwe six years ago seeking asylum.

Chiwara now awaits deportation at a federal detention center in Haskell, Texas, west of Fort Worth.

Friends and teachers said she is one of the brightest and most ambitious students on campus.

"And I would put her in the top one percent in term of intelligence, drive, writing skill," said Vicki Sapp, an English professor.

Her classmates think of her as something more.

"For my birthday she hand-knitted me a scarf," said Michelle Baliovian, a TCCC student who was part of the protest group. "She wants to be a missionary doctor."

Chiwara was about to graduate with a scholarship to Baylor University. Her intention was to become a doctor and return to her native Zimbabwe to practice medicine.

Faculty members and fellow students are incredulous that the government would seek to put Chiwara in prison and target her for exile.

Courtesy

Victoria Chiwara

"I want her to be able to finish her education and be graduated and given the recognition that she deserves," Baliovian said. "She is an excellent, exemplary student, and she deserves every bit of it."

Students said they will continue to protest and raise awareness for their friend.

News 8 was unable to get a response from immigration officials on the Chiwara case.

E-mail bshipp@wfaa.com