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Complaints about
immigrants are not new. Read Benjamin Franklin’s
1751 tirade against “non-white" foreigners who refused to
learn English.
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Why should Pennsylvania, founded
by the English, become
a Colony of Aliens, who will shortly be so numerous as to Germanize
us instead of our Anglifying them, and will never adopt our Language
or Customs, any more than they can acquire our Complexion.
Which
leads me to add one Remark: That the Number of purely white People in
the World is proportionably very small. All Africa is black
or tawny. Asia chiefly tawny. America (exclusive of
the new Comers) wholly so. And in Europe, the Spaniards,
Italians, French, Russians and Swedes, are generally of
what we call a swarthy Complexion; as are the Germans also,
the Saxons only excepted, who with the English, make
the principal Body of White People on the Face of the Earth.
An
excerpt from Observations Concerning the Increase of Mankind by Benjamin Franklin
FULL
TEXT
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Statistics
do not tell the story of immigration. People do. Since its inception,
this nation has been continually infused with the energy of newcomers.
Yet their assimilation has seldom been smooth. The challenges we face
today are not new. Only the stories are.
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A word from the
host about legal advice
READ
MORE
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THE
STORIES OF U.S. IMMIGRANTS IN THEIR OWN WORDS:
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I was brought here when I was four
years old. I've been here for 9 years now. I'm almost 14
and when everybody else is going to get their permits for
school, I won't. Sometimes I wonder what it would be like
if my parents came here just one year before I was born. I
have had to go through racism since I was in 6th grade. I
try to stand up for myself, but all my anger grows and I
just sit there trying to ignore them. Sometimes I cry to
myself because of what someone has said to me that day. I
don't know if people are conscious when they keep talking
about Mexicans like we were dumb. I am a female Mexican
and I am proud of it. No one can change that. I am a good
student. I get all A's occasionally a B. I have dreams to
go to college and get a good education, but I know that
that is not going to be easy for me. I will always try
hard at school and everywhere else. Because we
weren’t born here doesn't mean we don't deserve a
chance. Everyone deserves a chance big or small, dark or
white, Mexican and everyone. Just like it says in the
pledge of allegiance: with liberty and justice for ALL.
Why would someone want to crush someone's dream? All I
want is for everyone to be treated the same. Nothing less
nothing more. Equal.
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Fernanda
Des Moines, Iowa
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My mother arrived at age 16 to the
United States of America illegally. I had a lot of luck
being born in the "land of the free". My mother
travels back and forth to Mexico because my grandma's
health. (She is a hero to me, inspires me with all her
hard work on coming up with the money that my mother
needed in order to come across. Those who have crossed
over with the "Coyote" would now how expensive
it really is!) My mother has been caught many times. She
has been deported and is told not to touch USA homeland
soil for about 25 years. I am determined to fix her papers
no matter what. My mother, my father and Grandma have
inspired me to become better throughout my life. I am no
ordinary Mexican-American. I live with illegal immigrants.
I do not live with my mother due to financial dilemmas
neither do the rest of my siblings. We each live
separately and only communicate through the internet. For
all you Chicanos please become better and study hard.
Don't ever forget where you come from.
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Cynthia
Phoenix, AZ
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I met my wonderful fiancé at age
16 working a partime job at McDonalds. At first he
couldn't approach me for thinking I am not into Mexicans
because I am Asian. I proved him wrong. After a few years
of dating him, he told me every dream he has but the thing
is that we both know that it would be hard to reach
because he is illegal and was brought here when he was at
age 4 thinking he was legal. He leaned this when he tried
to get his California I.D. and got denied. It was heart
breaking, he is now 22 and all his dreams are becoming an
airplane engineer are gone. He had no choice coming in
this country he loves and wanted to serve. But we have no
choice but to accept the fact that in the future we would
face hardship because the gov. does not care for us.
America, where is your heart for the families who are
ruined because of the stupid rule?
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Janelle
San Jose, CA
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I was brought here when I was barely at
least two years old. I am currently now 18 and I'm about
to graduate from high school. My only hope is the Dream
Act because I honestly want to keep going with my
education. I want to be a teacher and also a teacher for
special ed. I have been here mostly all my life and I
would be sad if I had to go back to Mexico. I wish I could
have been born here that way things would be easier for my
family and me. I have always tried my best in school and I
plan to try my best here until I am sent back. Hopefully
that won't happen to me. I want to stay here and help
other children by being a teacher and try helping others.
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Susana
Cumming, GA
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I was brought here illegally at age 1.
I have 2 sisters and they both are legal citizens of the
United States except for me and my mother and father. I
think every one born in the United States is so lucky. We
do the pledge of allegiance every morning. I am the one
that does it every day and doesn't sit right down. I say
it right. I want to be here. I want to learn. I love this
country more than they do and they were born here. I want
to go to college. I want to be a teacher. But I must be a
legal citizen. I lose hope a lot. I don't know what else
to do. I really really hope the dream act works. I watched
the state of the union address and I cried at the end. I
went to school and did extra credit for my teacher for
taking notes on the speech. Only me and another Mexican
turned it in. I don't know what to do. I ask myself so
many questions .Why do I live here. Why was I brought
here? What can I do? I think we want to "ensure that
everyone who plays by the rules can contribute to our
economy and enrich our nations." We need more
teachers. I want to be a teacher. I won't lose hope.
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San Diego, CA
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In 2006, I was renewing an H1-B Work
Visa with a rural school district on the Navajo Indian
Reservation. When we got the paperwork back the visa was
rejected and incorrectly coded as a quality control
engineer. Rural school districts have a hard time getting
teachers and there should have been no reason why my visa
should have been rejected. I was under a legal binding
teacher contact for the following school year and had gone
home to Canada for the summer to be with family when I
found out it had been rejected. When I came back across
the border I obviously didn't have the paper I needed to
get into the country and was turned away at the border. I
didn't want to quit on the kids, community, and school
that I had bonded with so I came in illegally to go back
to work. Knowing that I didn't have an H1 - B Work - Visa
I decided to marry my teaching girlfriend. We did
everything legally again ! and went to the marriage
interview and when they found out I had no legal status to
be in the country, they decided to take me away from my
wife and was expeditedly deported which means you don't
get to see a judge. Meanwhile my I-130 and everything was
being approved. I flew to the US Consulate in Montreal for
my Green Card Interview two years later and found out that
my Green Card could not be given to me because I had been
deported. What a scam to lead someone on and make them
think they had a real chance to get it if you paid this
fee and that fee and then find out you really had no
chance. Immigration lawyers have told me to fill out the
I- 212 and another form, but that it would be futile to do
so as you would have to claim hardship. Without any legal
options to be with my newlywed wife who was pregnant with
our daughter, I felt like I needed to come back in to be
by her side for the birth of our daughter. I changed my
name in Canada and came in with my new legally changed
Canadian name although everyone knew me as my regular
name. I made it there for the birth of my daughter, but
ironically my wife passed away during the birth. I knew I
had to raise my daughter who had survived. I went back to
work as a teacher. I don't understand how someone can be
kicked out of the country three times without ever seeing
an immigration judge. How someone can be receiving Social
Security Death Benefits, how someone can collect 7 figures
in medical malpractice money, how someone who can be a
public servant who gives back to Americans, with no
criminal history and be continuously kicked out of the
country without some kind of due process. Wouldn't it have
been easier and cheaper for the country to have given an
asset to society the paper that he had made every attempt
to get in the first place?
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Deportme1
Kayenta, AZ
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My father was born in 1975 in Mexico.
He like most people was born in poverty. My father has
been working since he was 7 years old. He went to school,
took care of his brothers and sister and still found
whatever he could do to help his family. He had left his
house at age 13 to see if he could find a better job
somewhere else but in 1992 he ended up coming here to the
United States illegally because he wanted to help his
family. It’s been almost 19 years since he saw his
parents. Even though I was born here in the United States
it still affects me. I'm scared that one day I might not
be able to be with my parents. My father works so hard to
give my brother, my sister, and me what we need and I
think what kind of people would want to separate a family.
My father is the reason I try so hard in school and to see
that happen to a lot of families breaks my heart because I
really don't know what I would do without my parents. Just
because some illegal immigrants are criminals doesn't mean
all of them are and some of them do deserve a chance.
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Ana
Syracuse, Kansas
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My life has not been easy as an illegal
immigrant. I been discriminated since I started jr high
school by teachers students and some of the people from my
neighborhood. I entered the U.S when I was 7 years old and
now I'm 19. My parents brought me because we didn't have
enough to support our needs such as food and other
necessities. Sometimes I ask them why couldn't they leave
me with my grandparents, why can't I be a normal child.
Waking up in the morning and knowing one day I could get
deported and get send back to Mexico without any knowledge
of my homeland. I managed to graduate high school with a
90 percent average. I couldn't accept any scholarships
because I didn't have a social. I've done many jobs. Some
jobs a 15 year old isn't able to do. I have been a
dishwasher, construction worker, waking up early at 4am to
open up a super market and unloading packages than off to
school. I know its life and I have learn a lot from all
these miserable jobs. I know I'm not taking jobs from the
white folks because no one wants a job like the ones I
had. It is heartbreaking because I want to be someone in
this country. I know I have the brains to help this
country succeed but then again this country is not fair to
minorities. I lost faith in my religion. I do not believe
in God because in some cases people use God to
discriminate myself and others. I just know I have to go
back to Mexico and start a new lifestyle. I need to learn
how to write Spanish again. I just wish and hope these
white folks find a soft spot in their hearts and make a
fair law.
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Xavier
Brooklyn, NY
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I am a born US citizen. In fact my
grandfather is Native American. I am married to a Mexican
who entered the country illegally years earlier. He was
living and working well when I met him. We are very happy.
Although we do not have children together, he has taken
care of mine as if they were his natural born children.
Their father died unexpectedly when they were 4 and 6. All
he left us was alone and his family has had no interest in
the children since his death. My husband is the only
father they know. His siblings are their "tios";
his father their "abuelo". He goes to all the
school functions, and accepts every un-identifiable piece
of "art" as if it were a Picasso. When I was in
the hospital, he took the kids to & from school in clean,
pressed uniforms, fed them, kept the house up and still
went to work then visited me. He has never used the phrase
"your kids" even though he has his own which he
supports in Mexico too. I would like him to adopt my kids
but I don't know if he can do that seeing as though he's
undocumented. I have gotten so much mixed information
about that. Anyway, I have never filed for him as I know
he will be deported if I do. If he leaves on his own and I
file, he'll still get a 10 year ban which I'm not sure
will be waved because he was processed at the border on
his first unsuccessful attempt to enter. Then my kids
would be fatherless again and I would just die of
depression which I narrowly escaped the first time. I had
to take my kids to psycho-therapy for 2 years after their
father’s death, I was constantly at the school for
outburst of anger or uncontrollable crying. I myself was a
basketcase. Not to mention that without my husband, we'd
probably be on welfare. He works 6 days a week. I can not
tell you all how awesome this man is. Since I met him, our
lives are infinitely better on every level. I pray that
the law changes soon because we have done everything we
can legally with what we have to work with. We pay our
taxes with my SS# and his ITIN. He is better naturally
than I am as a practicing Christian, trying to be good. I
could blog all day about this man and ways he has changed
our lives for the better over the years. He's our
superhero. America would be lucky to have him legally
because he is already a good, responsible man even in his
undocumented state. Well, that's my story. God Bless you
all. I pray things work out for each of you. Peace.
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No name given
Bronx, NY
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I came to this country when I was 3
years old. I didn’t know I was illegally here, until
I was 5. I remember it was kindergarten, we filled out a
paper stating where we were born. I didn’t know
until I asked I was born in Mexico but no one else was.
This didn’t start affecting me directly until I was
in 5th grade. I loved school and I was told I was going to
be put in honors/advanced classes and that this would help
me go to college. I went home excited and told my mother.
On my 5th grade graduation 2 students in the school
received a certificate signed by Bill Clinton then
president I was one of them. I remember thinking and
thinking what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wanted to
be a marine biologist in 3rd grade, and an astronomer in
5th. But when I reached middle school I discovered my
horrible reality. I wasn’t allowed to do any of
these things in this country. Now I work 40hrs a week 6
days a week including holidays. Thanks to my uncle that
submitted me through the I-145, I am currently fixing my
status. It is so expensive. I am paying everything on my
own struggling day to day, raising a child working,
helping my mom. I sit and think this is not the life I
pictured for myself. This is not the life that I would
have chosen if I was given the opportunity to be a human
being with the right to pursue happiness.
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No name given
Los Angeles, CA
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This nightmare started when I was 8
months old. My mom crossed me over, she was only 16. My
question here is: How is a 8month baby capable of breaking
a law? I grew up in Sioux City struggled with my English
until the 2nd grade and now it’s the only language I
can communicate perfectly with others. I have two sisters
who were born here and are US citizens. I remember when
all my friends were exited about getting their driving
permits, so was I. Coming home with excitement to ask my
parents for permission they gave me the worst information
of my life, I was nobody in this country! As I got older I
understood more about the situation and had to adapt to
the immigrant life, watching my friends succeed all around
me, while I couldn’t do a thing because I was
trapped. I thought about going to back to Mexico and
making something of myself there, but now that I met the
love of my life and we are married, my goal is a way to
find a way to stay here with him.
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Ana
Sioux City, Iowa
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I was brought to El Monte California at
age 3 illegally. I am a high school graduate. I made some
bad choices in my life and ended up doing time for a
residential burglary. I took for granted having a green
card never became a US Citizen. I threw away the American
dream for nothing. I have been in Mexico for 12 years now
and it has not been easy. I was sent to an unfamiliar
place and would get lost all the time. I was surrounded by
people and places I knew nothing of not even its history.
Finding a job was not hard. What is hard is living on the
peanuts they pay you. I am poor and tired of it.
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Richard
El Monte, California
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I came
to the US at the age of 16 (1991) with my aunt and
cousins. I graduated High School, met my husband and at
the age of 20, we decided to get married. He arrived in
the US in 1994 in PA on a ship. He was paroled into the
US since he was a Cuban. We filed for Cuban Adjustment
in 1997 for both of us and was denied in 2004 with the
allegation that he's a stowaway and since he's not
approved, my application automatically is denied as
well. We have been fighting since then to keep our
family together. We have 2 children that are teenagers
and needs us the most now.
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Caroline
Pembroke Pines, Florida
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I came
to the U.S. from Mexico on a border crossing card when I
was about 3 and have been here since. I am now 20 years
old and ended up marrying my grade school sweet heart.
Since then she has filed for my residency here in the
country and everything was going great until I misread
our interview date. Our date was set for February 4,
2009 and I took off work for the 9th, obviously I
misread it and I didn't mean for this to happen. On the
5th I sent an overnight letter apologizing and
explaining the situation. Immigration replies by sending
me a letter for deportation. My master hearing just
passed December 9, 2010; and I have hired an attorney
since. He told me that he wanted to terminate my case if
needed; but first wait to hear what the judge was going
to say. With my luck, the judge set my final hearing for
November 2012. I need to be able to move on with my
life, this is killing me mentally; it stresses me off so
much. I am not a criminal and I feel like I am being
mistreated by the country I love. I work full time,
attend school full time, and do volunteer time on my
days off. I've never committed a crime or felony. This
would of never happened if I would of read my date
correctly, and now I'm paying in an un-ethical manner
for a mistake anyone could have made.
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Victor
No location given
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My father
came illegally to the United States in 1985 leaving his
family behind in Zacatecas Mexico. He worked with a man
in Texas milking cows. In 1991 my father decided that he
would bring his family to this country. People call it
the country of dreams. I was 4 years old and my mother,
two brothers, two sisters and me risked our lives by
crossing the border illegally. I remember running and
with the help of 3 men we crossed the river. We got here
to the land of dreams but it has been really hard on our
family. I often would ask my mother why she brought us
here. We are only discriminated and not wanted. She
answers with a sad expression on her beautiful face. We
brought you and your brothers and sisters so that you
wouldn’t be hungry anymore. So that you would have
a better life. This country indeed has given our family
so much and here I hadn't ever been hungry. But there is
also a lot of hate against us Latinos. I have one thing
to say. Jesus the God that created this Earth created
everyone. I didn’t choose to be Hispanic just like
I didn’t choose to be born in Mexico. And to those
who enter the USA illegally and they just want to better
themselves then why not let them? This Country has so
much to give. It has been Blessed so why not give and
Bless others too.
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Maritza
Scroggins, TX
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My husband
is here illegally from Mexico. He is the most hard
working person I have ever known. He lost his job about
two years ago and cannot find work. My children are
paying for this dearly. He has never broken the law,
never drank, smoked or done drugs. We have five children
and are finding life getting very hard without him
working. We have no money saved and cannot seem to save
any because every time we turn around something happens
to us that costs more than what we have. Please pray for
our family.
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Stephnie
Billings, MT
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My mother
and I first came to the United States when I was 1 year
old. After almost 11 years my father took the
citizenship test and passed it. He applied for a visa
for my mom and I. Since in the papers he received it
stated that his son would automatically be a U.S citizen
there was no problem for me. The problem was my mom
didn’t get her papers when we went for the
interview in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. She is now living in
my hometown alone with only my two little sisters. She
knows the people there but the problem is that my father
and I are currently living in our house without my mom,
and it feels horrible living with half the family here
and the other half in Mexico. That's why I wish that Mr.
Obama will soon propose immigration reform to end this
suffering. Please Mr. Obama I beg you to please give my
mom another chance so I can return to see her. I MISS
HER.
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Miguel
Riverdale, Maryland
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I was
brought to San Diego when I was 2 years old. I used to
think I was an American. I never knew I was illegal
until I was 15. I was going on a choir field trip and
was happy for once because I was going to Disney Land.
My mom finally told me I was illegal and my life went
down. I risked it and went to Disney. After that I told
my close friends I was Illegal. They made fun of me.
Since then I have gone to L.A twice but I have always
been scared because of the border patrol. I am a high
school dropout because I was made fun of and students
always told me, "why graduate if you have no future
here". I was stupid for listening to them. I am
trying to finish School. I work. I am kind of happy that
I live here in San Diego. I love it. But I wish I was
free and can go beyond San Diego. I feel trapped, like
if I’m in a cage. I don't want to get deported. I
don't know Mexico or my family over there. I know
Spanish but cannot speak it good. I tried fixing my
legal status but it’s really expensive and usually
they take away your money and tell you it’s
impossible and get ripped off. I want to be set free. I
have no criminal record, never had. I want to travel and
don't want to be scared everyday no more.
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Edgar
San Diego
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I have
been married to a Honduran man for 6 years. He was
deported a couple months ago. I don’t understand
why it would be so bad for them to stay. If they have
stayed out of trouble for 5 years what is the harm in
letting them stay giving the families time to get them
documented? People say they do not understand why there
are so many undocumented people. Why don’t they
just get their papers? That is a joke! Immigration is a
nightmare. Immigration is very expensive. It costs
thousands to get papers. It can take years and it is
very hard to understand. The American system is trying
to make everyone think because they don’t have
this paper they are less of a person, that they are
criminals. This is not true; but it is working. The
American people believe this because it gives them
somewhere to place blame for all their problems. That
they live off the system, which is a lie. I know
hundreds of undocumented people. The government thinks a
person with the average of an 8th grade education can
outsmart the American system? Give me a break! They are
wonderful people who care about their families and will
work till they drop to feed and clothe them. They are
not afraid of hard work. They are proud people who
deserved to be admired for their strengths and
determination. If Americans did this there would be less
people living off the government. As an American I have
no rights or control where my husband is concerned. I am
sure God is looking at our country with sadness.
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Estrella
Temple, Texas
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I came
here with my mother and sister at the age of 9, my
father and older brother had already been working in the
states for about a year. When I got here I was
completely blown away by how beautiful this city was and
every day I thank god that Im lucky enough to walk down
its streets and look out into the clean ocean. I just
graduated high school with a 4.1 GPA and 1860 on my SAT,
though I had outstanding marks I was not able to get
into my dream school simply because I could never pay
the ridiculous tuition, thus I was torn apart from my
high school sweet heart. I’m an 18 year old kid
who cant travel, drive, and get a job anywhere else than
Jack in the box, my record is completely clean but
I’m not an American citizen and because of this I
cant achieve my goals in life, nor can I have the normal
life a teenager should live. I’m trapped and all
because I was born a little too south of a dumb
imaginary line.
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Charlie
San Diego, CA
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My husband
came to the US from Brazil after his first daughter died
of cancer and he needed work to care for his family. He
came illegally. I met him while he was here. We fell in
love. I lived in Brazil with him for 1 year and we were
married and have a beautiful daughter. My husband has
not seen our daughter since she was 4 months old. She is
now 9 months old. I came to the US to visit and now I
cannot leave. I cannot go to Brazil and he cannot come
to the US. Our family is torn apart and my heart is
broken. He is a good hardworking man. Our amazing
friendship, relationship and marriage is being wasted.
When will someone address the needs of families being
destroyed by immigration law. Many good people are being
punished because of the evil deeds of others.
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Kari Harris Oliveira
Northwood, NH
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I am an
Aussie now living in the United States and married to an
American citizen. I am a permanent resident and yes I
know how expensive attorneys and paperwork are BUT I
came into this country legally and now have a green
card. Now I can understand why people come into this
country illegally but it doesn’t make it right.
There are people who have said on this site why should
they be allowed to stay or jump the queue when they
entered the country the incorrect way. I feel sorry for
the children of illegal immigrants who had no say in
whether they wanted to come to America or not. If you
need to deport someone deport the parents as the
children are the innocent parties. I know people are
going to say that is unfair to the children and yes this
very well may be the case but then isnt it unfair to
deport children back to a country they know nothing of.
There are so many families in this country who would
love to foster or adopt these children especially if
they are too young to be on their own. The teenagers who
are old enough to look after themselves should be given
every opportunity to continue on with their education so
they can become productive citizens of this country.
Once these young people are working then they can
petition for their parents to join them. To everyone who
is currently dealing with immigration good luck and may
all your hopes and dreams become a reality.
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Kerri
Indiana
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My sister
and I were born in the UK, when I was three we moved to
the USA, my father had a job offer there, my other four
brothers and sisters were all born in the USA. I turned
21, my father still didn't have his green card, the
paper work was so slow, and I have had to move back to
the UK. My parents both recently became citizens, so now
they can sponsor to return to the USA, however it will
take eight years due to processing times. I feel
American, my bothers and sisters are American, my
parents are American, they have jobs and pay tax, I am
not a American, and because of this I can not see my
family or friends. I feel as if I am being punished when
I have done nothing wrong.
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F
Saugus, MA
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I
am a 24 year old American citizen with 3 children ages 5 yrs,
3 yrs, 4 mos. 2 of my children are my fiance Claudio's who is
from Brazil. Our son Nikolas is a very sick child. He has
Congenital Heart Disease (born with half a heart) & Congenital
Cholesteatomas (skin tumors in his ear). He has undergone 3
major open-heart surgeries, 1 major ear surgery, 3 cardiac
caths, 2 chest tube placements & many other procedures & tests
and he is only 3 years old! Claudio came here illegal in 2001
threw the American/Mexican border, he was caught & released
with 6 mos to stay for a court date. He never got the court
summons. He was married to his ex-wife in 2003 & deported in
2004. He came back to the state in 2004 again illegally threw
the American/Mexican border. Since then he has met me in 2006
& have been engaged since 2006 & have had two beautiful
children. He is a wonderful father who is solely th! e
supplier of our family & household. I stay at home with our
children because our son Nikolas can not be but into daycare
at this time. Nikolas will be having another major ear surgery
this year 2010. Claudio was caught by ICE during a confused
situation we were having with our son in 2008. I then got him
released from deportation proceedings after he spend almost 2
months in a detention center in Boston. I didn't see him those
2 months but we talked every night, which in the end cose me
almost $600+. He is here in the states now on a Stay of
Supervision & stay of deportation or removal I-246. They
wanted him to go to immigration center on September 2, 2010
with tix to go back to Brazil. So I handed in another stay of
Removal form with lots of attachment with it. We are still
wanted for a responds. I hope that it is granted again as for
our son still needs surgery & life-long follow-ups with
Cardiology & Ear, Nose & throat drs at Children's Hospital
Boston where! he has been going to since birth. He currently
has 9 drs inc! luding his Pediatrician. It is very difficult
with both of us now; can't imagine doing it on my own.
American Immigration truly doesn't understand the meaning of
FAMILY!
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Bethany
Blackstone, Masschusetts
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My
grandparents came to America and started a new life here. They
loved it and were very proud people. They worked for
everything and took nothing from anyone. My mother was the
first one born here after their arrival. She has instilled the
same morals in us her mother instilled in her. I am proud of
my grandparents and who they were. They came with nothing, and
built a life for their 3 children and ultimately their
grandchildren. What has happened to the USA? Does anyone have
anymore pride? I will work for what I want and what I have. I
am proud to do so.
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Susan
Nashville TN
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I am a
3rd & 4th generation American of Japanese Ancestry (AJA). My
grandparents and great-grandparents went to Hawai'i to work in the
cane fields. They were very grateful to live and work there. My
parents grew up as proud Americans -- you will never find anyone
more patriotic than they. Many immigrants, like my those of my
family come to this country, lured by the promise of a better future
for their families. When Pearl Harbor was attacked, the majority of
people living in Hawai'i were AJAs. For that reason only the priests
and teachers were taken away to internment camps. I am saddened by
the reawakening of the same mentality that caused hard-working U.S.
citizens to have their property and freedom taken from them. I am
also saddened by the xenophobia that causes some of my fellow
citizens to fear and even hate those who risk life and limb to come
to this country. They only hear of the few that cause trouble and
not the many who help to sustain our economy (yes, that's what they
do), contribute to the tax base of our country, and provide us with
a new vitality through the sharing of their culture. As for most of
the undocumented aliens, they are willing to live a self-imposed
imprisonment and a life lacking in dignity so that their familes
back home can live a decent life. My family didn't have the
restrictions for entering this country or such a difficult path
toward citizenship that immigrants face today. I wonder where I
would be if the laws were the same as they are today.
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Sharon
Gettysburg, PA
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I'm a US
citizen married to my husband of four years. We have two young
children together. He had a valid work permit but now he can't get
it re-newed and has a life-time ban due to false-claim to
citizenship 15 years ago. Other than what he said, he's been paying
taxes, speaks excellent English, made a good income, abided by the
law, and is a wonderful family man. We've paid thousands in
restitution, yet there isn't anything we wouldn't do so he can be
here legally. People always criticize illegals by telling them to
just come legally but we can prove that it's nowhere close to being
that easy. We tried living in Mexico and couldn't be supported on
the earnings there and feared for our safety. We need him here! Only
now, have the kids and I ever been on public assistance. It costs
more for the government to provide for us than if they'd let him
support us! He was a contributor to the system and didn't leech from
it. Also, he kept his money in the USA.
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Erika
Sahuarita AZ
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My
parents brought me here when I was 4 along with my brother to
Burbank CA. My dad left us a few months later. Growing up I
never realized really my status till I turned about 16 when all my
friends started working and driving. I’m tuning 21 in a month
and I’ve applied for resident card a long time ago. I just
found out they want to send me back to Mexico.
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Alex
Los Angeles, CA
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My
boyfriend and his parents are all from Ireland. His parents came
here more than 50 years ago. When they came they had all documents
including x-rays on hand, someone to sponsor them and even if it
didn't pay much, a job. They filed for their citizenship and won it.
The theme here is that there was NO trouble with the law, they
abided by the rules, and they got their citizenship.
Although it is sad to hear of people who are working so hard to get
their citizenship and being subjected to unfair treatment, I can't
help but be reminded of all the Irish (and obviously others) who
came over and did it the right way and they got what they came for.
They did it because they wanted a better life, and while they kept
their culture they made a life here without demanding the US
residents change their country to suit those coming in.
For anyone working toward getting their citizenship legally I hope
you get it as quickly as possible. For those who come through
without legal permission...I'm sorry for what you are going through
but you broke the rules. Unfortunately now the families have to
suffer heartbreak, and a major financial loss. I wish your families
good luck, and hopefully you'll be reunited.
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C
Cranston, RI
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I met my
husband in 2007 and we were married later that year. Our son was born in
the beginning of 2008. We wanted to get my husband’s papers so we
were told to get a lawyer to help us with the process and with the
"waiver". That cost us $5000 plus whatever cost to the
government we had to pay. We knew it was going to be hard but we went
through with it for our son, so we could do EVERYTHING together as a
family. My husband left in June 2009, the day after father’s day.
Our lawyer says that everything was good and that he should only be there
for 4 months, just be honest with the people at the consulate and
everything will be fine. Next thing I know is my husband is calling me a
week later telling me that he has to wait in Mexico for a year and a half.
He had said something in his medical exam that they didn’t like. But
he did just as the lawyer said and that was to be honest. Now we have to
wait till Dec 2010 to get another appointment and pay our lawyer another
$2600 plus whatever other fees the government has. And my lawyer said that
from Dec he might be there for another 6 months to a year and a half. I
haven’t seen my husband in over a year and don’t have the
money to visit him either. I had to quit my good job and move in with my
dad with my son just to be able to get by. I miss and love my husband and
at this point am going crazy. I just don’t know what to do anymore.
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Megan
Wheaton, IL
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My stepfather
got in trouble 2 years back and when he was about to be released they
found out he had immigration hold. He got deported this year in March. He
was never raised in Mexico where he was born. He was brought to the U.S.
by his parents. So of course he tried to come back and he got caught at
the Mexican border. He has to now serve 3 years in federal prison. This
has caused many problems in our family. We are not perfect but living this
life really does suck and there has to be something done to help.
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(No name given)
Los Angeles
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I met my
husband through his sister. I did not think of marrying him until the
first time we talked over the phone. I decided to go to Nigeria and meet
with him instantly. I knew he was the right man for me so I decided we get
married in Lagos, Nigeria on Jan. 25, 2007. After returning to the USA I
filed for his I130 and it was approved. He had an interview where he lives
in Nigeria and the interviewer refused to give him a visa stating we
married for immigration purposes, which is not true. I love my husband and
he loves me. The interviewer told my husband why did I come to the
courthouse in jeans and a t-shirt. I wore jeans and a blouse, a big
difference, and we had our reception in African attire. My husband showed
them wedding pics and all sort of other documents. Instead our papers were
sent back to USCIS to be investigated and the USCIS revoked his I130. It
is ridiculous to tell me I cannot go abroad and marry the man I love until
death do us apart.
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Betty Williams
Alrlington, Texas
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I was brought
to the US by my biological mother when I was 3 in 1984. She abandoned me
and left me with family. I grew up in the USA. My adopted mother was
granted guardianship over me in 1989. The adoption went through but not
for immigration purposes. My adopted mother file every application you can
think of to change my status but to no avail. I lived in the USA for 23
years. Everything I know is from the USA. I know nothing about my birth
country. I am the only child my adopted mother has. I had no choice but to
return to my birth country to see if I can return with status in the USA,
but it has been so hard. What I can't understand is why they gave me an
Alien # but no card. They gave me a Texas birth certificate and ITIN
number and I cant use them for anything. I am now 28 years old stuck in a
country I don’t know anything about. I feel that they need to have a
program where they can help people like us with our immigration problem
that no lawyer can help with.
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Lavern
Texas
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6-27-1963 WE
came to the greatest country on GODS earth.WE were migramt workers
,trabled from Texas to IDAHO. WE went to Washington D.C. last Year
(9-12-09) for the 2 milloin AMERICAN march, also I`m involbed in TEA
PARTIES rallies, and will do what ever I can to protect MY constitution.
But today is totally difreant, the Goverment is chokeing us with to many
taxs and REgulations. I'm a consevative,Christian,PRO-LIFE,LESS GOV. Que
DIOS bendiga AMERICA otra ves. GOD BLESS YOU, and GOD BLESS AMERICA..
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Jesus Eguia
Shreverport, Louisiana
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My dad came to
Colorado and met my mom in Denver. He got married with my mom. My
mom’s parents didn’t like my dad that much and neither did his
neighbors because he’s Mexican. We live in an all-white
neighborhood. He and my mom had me first in 1993. We went to Mexico when
my grandpa died. I was two years old and we saw his family for the first
time in eight years. They did not recognize him when we went because he
looked older. I have a little sister; she’s three years younger than
me. Later on in life when I was eight years old my mom got on some bad
things and she left. My dad was the only one taking care of us and it was
hard at first. My mom had got us into debt but that did not bother my dad.
He still loved us both, me and my sister. Now my dad works in a smaller
restaurant and makes less money than he did but we still do the same as we
did when he worked in the better restaurant. He loves me and my sister the
same now. And everything is good.
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Jesse
Boulder, CO
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I have been
with my boyfriend now for almost 6 years. We have a 4 year old son
together and want so bad to be able to live a normal life. We went to
Mexico in 2007 to visit his family that he hadn't seen for 8 years, due to
the fact that it is so hard to come back over into the United States. I
stayed there almost 6 weeks with him and then I had to come back because
of my job. He however didn't make it back until 10 months later. I felt so
lost without him. It is very hard being in love with someone and having
children with someone that you pretty much have to keep a secret because
your afraid they'll deport him. My heart goes out to all those affected by
the stupid and selfish laws they have. They need to remember they are
human just like us and deserve to have a better life.
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Susie
Winchester KY
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I met my
husband in May of 2006 and we got legally married in June of 2007.
I’m American and he's Costa Rican and he came here illegally when he
was 14 years old through the Mexican-American border and all of the
immigration lawyers tell me that there’s nothing they can do for him
because he didn’t come with a visa. He got into some trouble in
September 2009 and has been in and out of court since and a few weeks ago
they raised his bond and put him into the Bridgeport Correctional Center
and set a bond of $50,000 cash. I obviously couldn’t post it and
about 6 days after he was in, someone from immigration talked to him and
got all of his information and then he had court a week later and they
were going to let him go on a "promise to appear" and I was
waiting for him to get out and they told me he wasn’t going anywhere
because he had an immigration hold and his lawyer assured me that if
immigration didn’t pick him up within 48 hours, he would be
released. It’s been 82 hours and they still haven’t let him go
and they told me now that his name is on the list to be sent to an
immigration facility in 2 days and i don’t know what I’m going
to do. I don’t understand how they can just rip our family apart.
It’s not like we got married so he could get his papers. We got
married because we love each other. This country supposedly stands for
freedom and equality but as far as I can see my husband isn’t
getting any of that.
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Kelsey Torres
Norwalk CT
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I came to the
United States at the age of 4 years old. My parents wanted to give my
sister and I a better future (she’s also in the same situation). My
sister and I were always excellent students. We both got married to
service members. Her husband is in the Navy and I am married to a US Army
soldier. Just because we married them does not mean we get an easy way. No
I still have to go to Juarez. It scares me to think that I have to go back
to Mexico, especially because I have a son. He is only 1 year old and not
to mention my husband is deploying next year and I do not want to be away
from him any longer. A week ago I finally decided to go to Juarez and if I
come over to the US again I will be happy. If not, I will be disappointed
because my husband needs me. I am his rock, I am his support to release
all the anguish he has to go through on a daily basis with soldiers.
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Rachel
San Diego
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I was brought
by my parents from Mexico when I was about 3 1/2 years old along with my 2
sisters. We did not come to the US illegally, we all had visas and we were
in the process of obtaining our permanent resident card. Throughout the
whole process there were a lot of hardships and finally after 22 years
from start to finish we became citizens. We moved to Iowa to have a better
life and in 2003 I met my husband and we became great friends and
eventually got married. We were legally married in June of 2009 and about
two months after we were married, he was arrested in our home for not
leaving when ordered. He had apparently gotten a voluntary departure order
which we had no idea was granted and because of misrepresentation from an
attorney he was detained for about 2 months and deported. I went to visit
my husband in Mexico about a month after he was deported and when I got
back I received an order from an immigration judge stating that his
deportation was invalid because his rights were violated and because we
had shown that he was not aware of this voluntary departure, but since he
was deported anyway, he has a ten year bar. We have appealed the 10 year
bar because it was not his fault that immigration wrongfully deported him
so we it has been 6 months since his deportation and we are still waiting
to see if they will waive the 10 year bar. This whole situation has caused
my husband and I a lot of hardships including me having problems with my
health and falling into a depression that has taken a toll in every aspect
of my life. Our attorney has been great but I know that in immigration
nothing is a guarantee. I really hope that everything goes well. If not I
do not know what I will have to do to get my husband back to our life.
Everyone here is in my prayers and hopefully we can find a way to make the
government understand that what they do with illegal immigrants is
inhumane and wrong!
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Maria
Marshalltown, Iowa
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I met my
husband in 2005 In Nov of 2007 we decided to be married. Now understand
that we are in our 50's and could not imagine living apart. We lived with
my son and grandchildren for a year trying to get the paper work in order
and also helping my son and daughter in law with the kids. Graham is a
good grandpa. I lost my job that January and so we moved to NC still doing
the paperwork and spending the thousands of dollars needed to be
spent.
Now I am out of work and thank God I was able to collect unemployment
because my husband still was not able to get his A # so that we could get
a social security card for him. So another year goes by he becomes
depressed because he can’t work and he has an ex wife in England
that just had a liver transplant and a brother with a bad prostate check
so he decides to go back to England for a short time and earn some money
to help out so we can become stable in the States. Well, he is still there
since January 20, 2009 and starting our paper work all over again and the
ignorance of the Embassy in England. Paper work requested time after time
the same paper work I have proof it was sent but they still do not have
it. Rude employees of the Embassy and more money spent. I am an American.
I am not a terrorist and neither is my husband yet we are being treated
worse than they do terrorists.
I am not well I need my husband here to help me. Oh wait part of the
reasons for the ignorance may be they think this is a marriage of
convenience. LOL Nothing convenient about it. My husband is fat bald and
toothless, I am fat and not well. We want each other and it’s not
because I am rich or have anything to offer him but love and
companionship.
Enough! Get your priorities in order Homeland Security! We are all caught
up in a long dragged out mess because no prioritization takes place within
this system! The Untied States of America is destroying our lives because
of ignorance and people thinking they are God! .
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Rosary
New Bern, NC
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I fell in love
with an illegal immigrant.Well, one thing led to another and I happened to
get pregnant. Everything was so amazing I was so excited to be a mother,
to be a family. My fiance was happy too. It's the first baby for the both
of us. I felt so lucky to have such an amazing man in my life who truly
loved me. A lot of women deal with jerks who run off after a baby is in
the picture. Mine didn't run off... he just got taken from us.
He had some
probation problems and eventually they caught up with him. So the police
were looking for him and he decided to turn himself in. He got 23 days in
the county jail. So, on the 23rd day I called to see what time they would
release him. I was SO excited to go get him. But, once we got there to
pick him up, they told us he was on an ICE hold. Later that day I got to
visit with him.. we both cried. I was only about 6 months pregnant.
It’s been 6
months since I've seen him, our daughter is 7 weeks old now and he's only
seen pictures. I can't even explain how my heart feels.
Immigration lawyers told me I would have to pay over 4,000 dollars to fight
immigration and try and waive the 10 year bar they gave him. And that
wanting him here for the baby is not a big enough "hardship" to
convince them. So it would take lots of time and money. Did I mention he's
in El Salvador... a country where him and his family work for no money.
I pray President Obama really does what he says... immigration just makes it
way to hard for immigrants to be legal here.
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Brittney
Delaware, OH
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Long story
short. My husband was brought here by his parents from Cuba, he has been
here 47 years since he was 6 years old. We went and filed to adjust his
status 5 years ago and it was denied, filed appeal right away, still
waiting. We also had filed employment auth in which he already had but
attorney said we had to do it as a package, we did. We call and INS sends
us a letter stating we will hear something in 90 days, called back 3 times
same story. Last letter now said we will hear in 6 mos.
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Kim
Lapeer, MI
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I am an illegal
immigrant. I crossed the Mexican American border with my mom and sister about 10
years ago. I was only 8. The reason we decided to come was because we wanted a
better life financially and a better future. My dad came a little bit before us
to get money and pay for our crossing. Now my dad which has never got in trouble
with the law has been taken away from us. He was deported about a week ago .This
has impacted my family a lot especially my 4 year old brother and 7 year old
sister that were born here. I have just graduated from high school with a 3.8
GPA and I had many chances of getting scholarships but due to my status I
couldn’t. I am not depressed. I have faith not in the government but in
God to one of these days see my dad again. There’s a lot of families being
taken apart. But since we are the “INVISIBLES" we just don't have all
the rights we all should have. Now I lost my dad to immigration and because he
got punished by not coming to the U.S for 20 years that’s a lifetime. So
many stories like mine, so many families. When is this going to end?
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Tony
Lincoln, NE
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AMERICA is what it is
because of IMMIGRANTS. I hate living day by day wondering if my husband will be
here for me tomorrow. 3 years ago I fell in love with a wonderful, good, caring
man. He made my dreams come true and gave me the most precious gift any woman
could ever receive -- my son. I am a US citizen, born in Poland and my husband
is illegal from Mexico. Since he came over illegally there is nothing we can
do...stupid! This is my home, his home! How can we live like this? We
can’t even meet each other’s families because America is making our
life so difficult. We are both very family oriented and it kills me that my
husband can’t go to the city where i was born and grew up in . It kills me
that I can’t meet his dying mother.
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Karolina
Las Vegas
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I am from Guatemala,
i came to the united states with my twin sister illegally when i was 11 years
old in 2003. we have suffered so much. My parents left us when we got to the US.
We are consider homeless youths. I have worked really hard to survive in the
united states. I have very good grades in high school and have 2 jobs. I am very
scared after high school because I have been here 7 years now that I
haven’t been in Guatemala and if the colleges that I applied to
don’t accept me I don’t know what i am going to do. I don’t
have anyone to help me in my country or here. This is horrible that people
don’t see that kids don’t choose to come here and still are
punished. I have many goals but being here illegally makes it impossible.
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Adri
Siler City, North Carolina
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I am an illegal
immigrant. I arrived thru the American-Mexican border when I was 11 in may 2004.
My mother who arrived on a visa in 2001 (which she overstayed) married a
non-citizen and therefore she couldn't apply for any adjustment of status. Right
now in January 2010, almost 6 years after I first arrived here I still have no
papers. I can't get a driver's permit nor a license. I can't work, I am not
eligible for most scholarships or even student loans. I can't legally hold a
job. This fall I am supposed to go to college, if my parents won't kick me out
on my 18th b-day because our relations have been pretty ugly recently. I'm a
pretty good student and I honestly do not want to know how much money I could
get if I'd have a social security number. I've been depressed for about a year
now. What's worse is that my mother simply doesn't even try to listen to the
things that trouble me. She wants me to get a job but to be honest I don’t
want to work under the table. What if l go get a job and they'll ask me to bring
a ss card? With the current immigration system I can't even legalize myself thru
marriage. My only hope is either an amnesty or the dream act.
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Adam
Ridgewood, New York City, NY
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I am American citizen
married with two children 11 months and 2.5 years old. My husband is a Romanian
citizen who was deported because his previous wife accused him of a fraudulent
marriage. So they cancelled his green card and I couldn't petition for him. I
don't have any family members in USA. And I don't know how I am going to survive
with my two kids without their father and his support.
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Ana
Miami, FL
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I am an American
citizen that has been married to an illegal immigrant from Mexico for nearly 12
years now. We have 2 daughters, ages 12 & 6. My advice to the people on this site
is just to live under the radar, because at the end of the day, we have no choice.
I've consulted lawyers, same as everyone else, but I knew not to shell out big
bucks for something that will never happen. I live with the daily fear of the
possibility of having my husband deported, but until the laws change, I know that
I have no choice but to suck it up. Unemployed Americans want someone to blame for
their financial problems, & politicians have found a convenient scapegoat.
(Politicians will NEVER be in our corner because our loved ones can't vote). I
wouldn't go near INS if my life depended on it, because they are just wolves in
sheep’s clothing. If my husband was deported, I can promise you he would
jump the border again to be with his family. Stop waiting around for the
government to help you because THEY DON'T CARE, so why should we? Do what you have
to do to reunite your families.
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Julie
Charlotte, North Carolina
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I came to the USA on
a K1 visa and married my American fiancé who is now my husband. We have a
child together plus another child I came with from my previous marriage back in
my country. Its been 3 years now since I came to the USA. My husband has refused
to file for adjustment for me .What do I do? I am here in the USA
illegally even after marrying my husband within 90 days of my arrival to the
USA. Secondly I can’t go back to my country as my husband would want me to
leave our child we have together but that on my part means I would not be able
to come back in the future as it would be difficult to get a visa because I am
here illegally now. What do I do in this situation?
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Renee
Fredericks, MD
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I am an illegal. My
older sister and my mom and I immigrated to the United States in 1989. At that
point I was 3 months old and my older sister was 4 and my mom was 21. My father
moved to Los Angeles 5 months prior and had no idea my mom just crossed with my
older sister and I. How my mom crossed us over illegally is nothing short of
amazing, Now at the age of 20 I’m waiting to go to work for nothing more
than minimum wage, struggling to pay for school. I’ve lost so many
scholarships, so many well paid jobs. It never does get easier when someone says
those dreaded words: there’s nothing I can do, I can’t join the
United States navy to serve MY country. And each and Every day I wake up being
grateful for what I got gets me through the next day. I hope one day I will
achieve my goals without a 9 digit number standing in my way.
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Name not given
United States
ADD A COMMENT
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I am a United States
Citizen and my husband is a Mexican. I have 3 wonderful girls and am now a
single mother because my husband has to be in Mexico. I and my girls have been
depressed. It's been almost a year that my honey is away and let me tell you
it's been so hard emotionally and mentally. My youngest child is battling with a
severe depression and may I say I am too. I just try to be strong for them. When
my husband had his appt. we were so optimistic thinking he was going to be home
because he is a hard worker and has never been in trouble with the law, but to
our nightmare he was denied his waiver stating there was insufficient evidence
of hardship! Can you believe this!!!!We are depressed. How can they separate
families especially hard working ones. I've sent letters from our doctors,
counselors, ect. and nothing, no response from them. It's really sad. It's just
not fair.
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Silvia
Avenal, California
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My parents, my sister
and I came to the US in 1984 in hopes of a better opportunity. I was five and
she was three. We attended school like every other child does and were basically
living a better life than the one we had back home in Colombia. Throughout the
whole time we were here my parents tried very hard to obtain legal status but
for some reason nothing was ever resolved. My parents worked hard and saved
money. They bought their first house and paid their property taxes, did
everything they needed to do to be the perfect model citizens. With no
legal status I knew I had to do something so I fell in love and got married to
an American Citizen of Jewish and Polish descent. We had a child and after I
obtained my citizenship I petitioned for my parents and my sister. This was
April 2007. By this time my sister was attending FMU and my father was
paying for it with his hard earned money. She graduated in June 2007 with a AA
in Criminal Justice. We were so proud everything was going good. I was pregnant
with my 2nd child and she was going to be in the delivery room with me just like
she was with my first. She was the first to go to college so we were very happy
and proud of her. Then on July 3 2007 our lives were changed dramatically. I say
dramatically because we never thought that my little sister could get deported.
They came to her condo early in the morning with the excuse of the security at
her door. She was getting ready for work and they took her before we could not
do anything for her. It was completely out of our hands. Our family was
distraught. It's been almost 3 yrs and if you could imagine coming from a close
family nothing is the same. Thanksgiving which was our favorite time to be with
the family is no longer the same. My kids are missing out on spending time with
their aunt. It's not fair. She was paying for her condo and had excellent
credit. She worked and graduated. She had dreams of becoming a detective and now
it's gone.
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Carolina Yednak
Miramar, Florida
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I was married in 2001
to a Mexican man. He had all of the qualities that were lacking in anyone I had
met before. He was hard working, honest, and wanted a family. I wanted the same
things, so we married and started a family. We did everything right. We started
a small business, bought a house, and decided to get a lawyer to make everything
legal for him, so we would never have to worry again. Two years and 2 months
have passed since our appointment at the US consulate in Juarez Mexico. I have
been alone in the US with my children, and have lost everything that we ever
worked for. I thought that my husband would return last week, but when he went
to his "last" appointment they told him that he needed another
physical and would have to wait for an appointment...2 weeks or so they said.
Well, If I don't pay the mortgage by Monday our house (the last thing I was able
to hold on to) goes in to foreclosure. I try to be strong, I don't like to cry
in front of my children. The worst thing is I have given up. I have nothing
left. I am no longer proud to be an American. I feel like a sucker, and I hate
myself for having children before finding out that their father would be thrown
out of the country and treated like a dog for trying to do the right thing. No
one understands. People always say thing like, " he must have done
something!" "The US would let him back, he has kids here, he must be a
drug dealer or something." The United States doesn't care about me or my
children. I work, pay taxes, teach my children to be good people. The United
States doesn't deserve me.
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Erica
Grants Pass, Oregon
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In July 2007 I
applied to USCIS for I-485 under employment based category 2 (section 203(b)
(2)). USCIS mistakenly put my case under EB3 category 203(b)(3) which is highly
retrogressed. I have opened 4 service requests, visited the USCIS local office 4
times, wrote to USCIS, faxed USCIS but without any help. Also wrote to USCIS
Ombudsman, Senator etc. Because of delays in getting my Green Card, me and my
family's life is on hold. We cannot even change jobs or buy a home as our fate
is undecided. I don't know what else I should do to get USCIS to correct their
mistake and approve my case. This is frustrating after staying legally in US for
9 years and paying hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxes and fees .
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GCW
Dallas, TX
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My immigration saga
began when I was 16. I am a proud Canadian and have lived in Toronto, Ontario my
entire life. My mom was transferred within her company to its head office in
Miami. They gave her an L1 visa (intercompany transfer) and I came with her on
an L2. We applied for our greencards later that year, and waited. Over the
course of the year, I met my girlfriend Valerie. At the end of the year, as we
had planned, we both rode our motorcycles to Canada for the summer, and I showed
her my home.
Unfortunately, by this time my advanced parole had expired, and I learned that
my green card application was put on hold due to the fact that the doctor forgot
his signature on the medical. My mom was granted her greencard. Well, the summer
ended and Valerie and I tried to return to the US on our bikes via the peace
bridge at Buffalo NY. We were promptly pulled off, taken into the building and
interviewed, interrogated, humiliated, and turned around. I hate the CBP. Why do
the have to hate on you so bad? In any case, it was the hardest moment of my
life, to be forced away from the woman whom I love. Damn. Well, I can't return
to university in Miami for my second year. That has been placed on hold. Valerie
and I are struggling to adjust to living 2000 miles away from each other. But we
are managing. As a Canadian, I never felt I could identify with the millions of
Latin Americans trying to immigrate to the US. But now I can. I sincerely feel
all of your pains and woes. If you keep going to the second border, you'll find
a more friendly attitude. Best of luck to you all.
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Charlie
Miami, FL
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I have lived in
Chicago since I was 2 years old. I have no memory of how Mexico was. Sure I have
pictures and stories are told to me every day, but it’s not the same. And
I don't ever imagine living there. I am proud to say I’m Mexican but I
have been raised in America. I am currently 16 and attend high school. My grades
are good and I do a lot of extra-curriculum programs and sports. But I sometimes
wonder if this is really something good for me. I am illegal and with no idea if
I have a good possibility of going to college. All my family is from Mexico with
no papers. I also have been denied to many dance clubs because I am illegal.
People are still racist. And with a family that has been through a lot sometimes
I do stop to wonder what my life would be if I would have been living in my real
country.
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No name given
Chicago, IL
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My fiancé had
some probation problems and eventually they caught up with him. With the police
looking for him, he decided to turn himself in. He got 23 days in the county
jail. On the 23rd day I called to see what time they would release him. A woman
told me 11:00am. But once we got there to pick him up, they told us he was on an
ICE hold. Later that day I got to visit with him and we both cried. I was about
6 months pregnant. It’s been 6 months since I've seen him and he’s
been deported to El Salvador. Our daughter is 7 weeks old now and he's only seen
pictures. Immigration lawyers told me I would have to pay over 4,000 dollars to
fight immigration and try and waive the 10 year bar they gave him. And that
wanting him here for the baby is not a big enough "hardship" to
convince them. I pray President Obama really does what he says. Immigration just
makes it way too hard for immigrants to be legal here. It breaks my heart not
knowing when the 3 of us will be together as a family. I just know we have to be
patient and stay strong. God is our strength.
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Brittney
Delaware, OH
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I came to the states
when I was about 9 years old. I'm now 19 years old and an illegal immigrant..I
can’t work or go to school like the rest of my friends. I finished up high
school but am now stuck with nothing to do. How I wish I never got a taste of
the American dream. I could possibly do anything that I wished for in this
country but I really can’t cause of my status..My dad that brought me to
the country in the first place got his papers cause he remarried after a divorce
with my mom. I’m originally from Turkey and will have to attend mandatory
military service when I’m 20. If I don’t attend to that I will go to
prison when I go to Turkey and be kept double the time in the army which will be
almost 3 years. But if I do leave now then I will never be able to come back and
will have to speak the language fluently to be able to get an education over
there AFTER the service. How I wish my situation was easier. I guess I am not
one of the lucky ones and that is a depressing situation. To be 19 years old and
cannot do anything that I desire. Cant drive, work, get an education or
anything. I’m stuck in life.
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Justin
Los Angeles, CA
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Although born and
bred in Australia, I have felt a natural affinity for the United States since a
young age and spent much of my adolescence living and working there. In 2002, I
moved to Tucson to pursue my BA in Anthropology at the University of Arizona.
Whilst there, I met and fell in love with Aaron. We wed on April 5th, 2005 and
life could not have conceivably been better. I received my conditional green
card almost immediately.
But after only a year and a half together, Aaron left to start his PhD program
in Canada and I had to stay behind to see out the last semester of my senior
year at college. Trying to maintain a long distance relationship took it's toil
and Aaron and I separated. The dissolution of my marriage was the most painful
experience of my life, so you could imagine my dismay when my petition to remove
the conditions of my status was denied and I was ordered to appear for removal
proceedings in immigration court.
A couple of months after leaving Aaron I was accepted into a prestigious
post-graduate program in Scotland. I checked with USCIS and was given legal
leave to exit the states for the duration of my program. While I was LEGALLY out
of the country studying, they denied my status and refused to let me back
despite informing me I was legally BOUND to somehow, magically, appear in court
in Phoenix and that if I failed to appear at my hearing I'd be summarily
deported. How is that democratically or legally possible?
As it stands right now, I am fighting this from exile in the U.K. I have shelled
out almost $10,000 USD and the punches just keep coming.
Do you know why USCIS in all their infinite wisdom denied my petition and handed
me over to Homeland Security and the Department of Justice for judgement?
Because they measure the legitimacy of an immigration marriage by the
accumulation of joint assets, without any consideration for extenuating
circumstances. Aaron and I were 21 and 22 when we got married, full-time
undergraduates and part-time student workers. We were able to rent a studio
apartment the size of a shoebox and his parents were kind enough to give us a
car as a wedding present. We were not in a position to accumulate joint assets
or wealth. So when asked to demonstrate that I entered into the union in
"good faith" I'm sorry to say that love without a mortgage or
something to show for it is just not enough. I don't care what it takes, I'm
going to get to my hearing, stand up there and ask them what we did wrong beyond
being young and broke? Don't fall in love unless you've got the bank to make it
look legit.
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Chelsea
Tucson, AZ
ADD A COMMENT
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When I was a little
girl, there was war in Iraq and I had to come to America without any of my
friends or family. I didn't understand what was going on at the time and later
on found out that I was adopted. I recently found a letter that my father and
mother wrote. It said why they sent me here, to get a better life and that they
loved me. I was trying to find a answer of where my family was. Then I heard
that they all died of a bombing that targeted their house. I cried so much...
When I graduated, I found the most wonderful gift, next to my adopted parents
was Hama and Kasi, my parents.
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Christina
New York, NY
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My husband was in the
united states for 8 years but he was granted voluntary leave to his home country
in Guyana about 2 years now and it really hurts because im a single mom and my
baby boy needs him in his life.
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Rohanie Singh
Brooklyn, NY
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I’m 17 years old. My
father is a U.S resident who brought me here when I was only 4 years old. He never
made the effort to help me get my papers situated. What he didn’t realize is
that the decision he was making was going to affect my whole future. I am currently
pregnant and will turn 18 in December of 2009. I’m in my last year of high
school with a dream of finishing and going to a beauty school and get a license to
open my own salon and support my child and myself. I have been trying to figure out
what there is I can do. I have been here over 12 years and this country has became my
home. I have been loyal to this country and have not gotten in any trouble. I have no
felonies or anything against me. All I want is to get my papers fixed so that I can
give my child a better life style and support that I didn’t get.
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Juli
Grand Rapids, MI
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My husband and I went to
his interview in CD Juarez in late June of 09. My husband (Agustin) has been in the
USA since he was 13 yrs old. I am an American Citizen and we have three children who
are all citizens as well. Adriana 14, Gabriel 9 and Miguel 5. During his interview
everything was going well. The Counsel that attended him stated his case did not look
bad and he may have to apply for the waiver. Turns out, he rec'd a 10 yr ban. Our
immigration system is wrong in so many ways. It was such a terrible feeling to have to
leave my husband in Mexico and come back home to Chicago on my own. It has only been
two months but it feels like two yrs. When will our voice be heard? When will our
childrens' voices be heard? Why don't we have the right to have and keep our families
united?
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Leonor Magana
Chicago, IL
ADD A COMMENT
Long story short, my husband was
brought here by his parents from Cuba. He has been here 47 years since he was 6 years old.
We went and filed to adjust his status 5 years ago and it was denied, filed appeal right
away, still waiting. We also had filed employment auth in which he already had but attorney
said we had to do it as a package, we did. We call and INS sends us a letter stating we will
hear something in 90 days, called back 3 times same story. Last letter now said we will hear
in 6 mos.
Kim
Lapeer, MI
ADD A COMMENT
My son is a CPT in the U. S. Army
- 10+ calendar years of service - met his wife while stationed in Korea, but had to send her
to the Philippines to marry. They were engaged for four months before they married, and she
was pregnant two months before they married. The twins were born four months after they
married. We cannot get citizenship papers for the twins, born in Aug 2008. CPT Parham has
held his twins 12 days of their 1 year old life. He requested papers in Dec, 2008, and we
are now in Fed Court, and the State Department is arguing that a single family environment
does not harm the children. These are American Citizens they are refusing to allow to enter
the country, not to mention that no papers can be filed for his wife until the twins
situation is settled.
R J Parham
Hempstead, Texas
ADD A COMMENT
I am a 40 year old mother of the
most beautiful 2 year old on the planet. Her father is from Brazil and as of today it has
been 14 month and 3 days since we were last together. On Tuesday 6/30/09 our waiver request
was denied and we have to wait until 2018 to reapply. My husband was in the USA for 4 years.
He paid taxes into Medicare and Social Security with a tax ID number my government gave him!
Our daughter carries his picture around daycare with her everyday and cries for him every
night and I get to cry after the day is done. I have reached out to Washington, Local
Government, The press, The Media, Hollywood, Talk-Shows and NO ONE GIVES A DAMN! My husband
left to get documents to prove he has no criminal record in Brazil, which he did! He had no
criminal issues while he was in the USA. But they only have to say I don't prove Extreme
Hardship. I just have a lonely heart. I would like the person that said that to live a day
of my life and see what extreme hardship really means! That must be why they never meet with
the American relative. It’s much easier to say no to a piece of paper then the face of
a mother, wife and a small child! My heart goes out to anyone caught in this nightmare and
shame on those that pass judgment without knowing ALL of the faces of immigration.
Diane Batista
Phoenix, AZ
ADD A COMMENT
My cousin Silvia and I left Cuba
in July 1, 1961 when I was 13 and Silvia 12. We were told within 1 week that we will be
leaving to the U.S. and not to mention it to anybody. The airport scene was sad for me as
they confiscated all our jewelry that we had since birth and our coin collection. I can see
my parents and 6 year old brother from the glass and touched hands that way. My brother was
crying so loud that I can still hear it to this day. We arrived in Miami and someone was
waiting for us to pick us up and feed us until our flight to New York later that day. We did
not speak nor understand a word of English but were blessed that we had relatives already in
NY who had come from Cuba months earlier. I lived with my grandparents in Brooklyn, NY and
because I was always very closed to them, did not feel the emptiness I felt. It was almost 4
years later when my parents and brother came to the US after living in Mexico for 6 months.
I know now the sacrifice my parents made to let me go.... I can't even imagine ever doing
that with my children and I am sure they had such a void in their hearts because of it. I
wished I would have stayed with my parents and come when they did because I missed them so
much.
Perla Chiaffitella
Aberdeen, NJ
ADD A COMMENT
I was born in Mexico. My mother
brought me at the age of 8 months. My mother never made the effort of fixing my citizenship.
As I got older in my early teens I started getting in trouble never thinking about my
future. Now I’m 34 years old andI have 2 daughters. I’m talking to a lawyer to
see what I can do to fix my citizenship but it doesn’t look good. I have a felony and
was deported back in 1996. To start my paper work I would have to leave the States. Me and
my wife stress about it all the time. All I know is the American life. My wife is born here.
My 2 daughters are 4 and 5. I think about their futures and it just chokes me up. Too bad I
didn’t know what was up with life back then. I guess that’s what happens when
you come from a broken home. All I can do for now is to wait to see if Obama passes a good
immigration law that could benefit me and my family.
J R Gonzalez
Los Angeles, CA
ADD A COMMENT
My husband is from Mexico. His
mom is really sick and he had to go see her. It’s been five years since he has gone to
see his mom and dad so he left to go back about two weeks ago. My children and I miss him
very much they cry for him almost every day. What I want to know is if there is anything I
can do to help him to come home. He doesn't have a passport or visa, he never has. How can I
help him to get one? I don't have a lot of money. I only have enough saved to live on and
pay bills till he comes home again. Just the I130 form is $355.00 and they don’t know
how long it would take for the USCIS to let me know if they will let him come to the USA.
Holly
New Iberia, LA
ADD A COMMENT
I am a U.S. citizen and so are my
two little girls (3 and 4 years old). My husband was taken into custody in December of 2008
and deported to Argentina after being in jail for almost 2 months. He didn't leave when he
was ordered because he was misrepresented by a notario (whom he didn't realize at the time
were not proper representation). Many immigrants don't understand all the processes when
they enter the U.S. and get taken advantage of and my husband was taken advantage of. He
tried to fix his case to no avail and when I got pregnant, he received his final denial
paperwork. He didn't leave because I did not want to raise our first child in Argentina as
he said many areas were not safe. So he stayed and he got picked up in December. We lost our
home, our jobs, our cars...everything but each other. My children and I moved to Argentina
with all of our belongings shipped there but were only able to stay for 2 months as we had
gone from a beautiful home in North Carolina to poverty in Argentina. My children and I
experienced depression and my husband could not bear to see it so he sent us back to live
with my mother in the U.S. He has a 10 year bar from returning for not leaving on time. He
has no criminal record, he had a SS# and paid his taxes, he had full medical, dental and
life insurance. He was a stand up citizen and contributed so much. We are going to our
congresswoman who has agreed to meet with us once I have all of the paperwork in order. This
is a tragedy that should have never happened.
Melanie
Artesia, CA
ADD A COMMENT
I am 25 years old and this is my
story. I was born in the city of Monterrey in the state of Nuevo Leon in Mexico. My parents
took me to the US illegally when I was 7 years old. From the age of 7 to 17 I had an
everyday life of a kid in the US, going to school, learning and just being part of my
community. When I was 17 years old I made some wrong choices with someone who at the time I
thought was a friend of mine. I got in trouble with the law and did 1 yr in jail, after that
I was deported to Mexico with both of my parents in 2003. It has now been almost 6 years and
I married my high school sweetheart who moved to Mexico to be able to be with me and have
the happily ever after life that we were supposed to have. I have an 8 month old son that
was born in Mexico and is a US citizen because of her mother, but we are here because of me.
We have been living in Mexico for about 4 years now and we would do anything to try to be
able to restart our life in the US with our son, but we have no idea where to start. We both
have ''good jobs'' in Mexico and have bought our own home and working for a US company in
Mexico but with the wages and the everyday life costs we are unable to look into getting a
lawyer. We really want to be able to provide the best for our son, but that is not a
possibility here. In the city of Monterrey just a couple of weeks ago there was a shootout
between the military and the all too common drug lords that are taking over literally about
2 miles down the road from where we live, and we constantly get harassed by city transits,
because we have a car from Arkansas, with AR tags in an attempt to get money from us. Thank
you for reading, all that I ask is that you say a short prayer for me and for my family so
that we can find some light at the end of this dark tunnel.
Carlos
Monterrey, NL
ADD A COMMENT
My parents are illegal immigrants
that came to the U.S. in 1985. Luckily I was born here in 1986. My parents decided to move
back to Mexico since they had left my two older sister in the care of my grandmother. I was
only 8 months old when we moved back to Mexico. When I turned 8 yrs old my parents decided
to send me back to the U.S. in order to go to school and have a successful future. One which
I couldn't obtain in Mexico. Now I'm 22 yrs old and am filing to petition my parents to
become Resident Aliens. I will be having my appointment in Ciudad Juarez in a couple months.
What worries me is that my father was deported in 2002 for crossing the border illegally and
my lawyer tells me that he will have to wait 10 yrs in order for him to try to come to the
U.S. unless we file a pardon. What should be my next step if that happens to him? Can anyone
please tell me what to expect, I'm so scared because my father is a good person who just
wants a chance to work and provide for his family of now 8 children. He will be devastated
if he has to wait 10 yrs. I wish laws would change and for people to open their eyes and see
how much pain they are causing us and our loved one. I pray for all of you who are going
through this. It's so hard being away from my parents. I pray to God for the best!
Concepcion
Huntsville, TX
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I came to USA in 2008. My parents
sent me here so I could study and get a diploma and then a better life in the future. I have
no papers and I live with my oldest brother. He came to USA like 3 or 4 years ago to get a
better job and keep his family stable. He is married and they have no papers either and they
have 2 little girls. They were born here and they study now like me and I hope to accomplish
my goals but we are scared to be deported.
Isaac
San Diego, CA
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