Feb 14, 2014 11:44 AM EST By Staff Reporter, UniversityHerald Reporter

An undocumented immigrant nearly won the election to become the University of North Carolina's student body president, Campus Reform reported. Though he received the most votes -- 41 percent of 5,475 -- it wasn't enough for the outright win, according to UNC's voting system. A runoff election will take place on Tuesday Feb. 18.

Emilio Vicente, originally of Guatemala until moving to the United States illegally at the age of six, pointed out that many students at UNC and colleges around the United States share his status. That issue represents one if his strongest and most unique platforms, documented in a 23-page proposal that also includes more traditional topics like "Greek Affairs," "Sexual Assault," "Athletics," "Academic Affairs," and more. On those issues, Vicente is more by the book. Lowering or at least freezing state tuition and supporting "advocacy for undocumented students to have in-state tuition" (among other topics related to diversity and multicultural affairs) seem to be his most passionate and distinguishing stances.

Sixteen states allow undocumented students to qualify for in-state tuition rates, according to Vicente's campaign video on Fusion. (I don't know how involved the campaigns of other students are, but Vicente's seems to go above and beyond that of a typical student body election; of course, my viewpoint could be limited by the much smaller college I attended.) North Carolina isn't yet one of them.

"A lot of us are not criminals. A lot of us are involved in our communities," Vicente said in his video. "the only thing we're lacking is a piece of paper that says we are a part of this country."

As evidenced by the vote and confirmed by Ben Smith, editor of the conservative Carolina Review, most of the campus "has no problem with his status," he told Campus Reform. He added, however, that "some people" in the greater area take issue with his lack of citizenship. Smith, though sympathetic to Vicente's plight, said he could not endorse him because of his own beliefs.

Actually, Vicente found it harder to tell his family he was gay than his classmates he was undocumented.

"It was harder to come out as gay as opposed to undocumented, everyone in my family is undocumented expect for my little sister," Vicente told Fusion.

His campaign has even attracted celebrity attention:

Tar Heels! Make history & Vote @emilio4SBP ur 1st Latino, gay & undocumented Student Body President. He'll be a great leader! #Carolina4all

— Eva Longoria (@EvaLongoria) January 29, 2014

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