Mayte Lara Ibarra, Texas high-school valedictorian, brags of ‘undocumented’ status on Twitter

A Texas high school valedictorian soon regretted her decision to boast about her “undocumented” status on Twitter.

Mayte Lara Ibarra of Crockett High School in Austin lit up social media after her graduation ceremony by announcing a full ride to the University of Texas-Austin and her immigration status.

“Valedictorian, 4.5 GPA, full tuition paid for at UT, 13cords/medals, nice legs, oh and I’m undocumented,” she tweeted June 3.

Ms. Ibarra’s post was “liked” nearly 20,000 times and shared by 9,414 others before her account was deactivated.

NBC News reported Thursday that Ms. Ibarra introduced the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem during the school’s graduation ceremony.

In addition to the many shares her tweet garnered, others notified U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

“Isn’t this like she robbed a bank and now she’s boasting about how wealthy she is?” one NBC reader asked Thursday.

“No. It’s like she earned a scholarship by being the best student and is justifiably proud,” replied a user identified as Proud Progressive.

Kylie Fitzpatrick, a media relations specialist at UT Austin, said in a statement that Ms. Ibarra’s scholarship was in accordance with Texas state laws.

“Texas universities — including the University of Texas schools — have for decades granted two-semester tuition waivers to valedictorians of Texas public high schools, without regard to their residency status,” the statement read, NBC reported. “State law also does not distinguish between documented and undocumented graduates of Texas high schools in admissions and financial aid decisions. University policies reflect that law.”