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ARCHIVES ONE - Stories posted from the beginning of our site until June,
1997
 ...Honest Voices Speak
Out About the IIRAIRA Law:
The following stories and comments are posted from those that
were sent to us by way of our Town meeting at the Townhall on this site, before June of
1997. If, after listening to these voices, you yourself wish to tell us about how the new
immigration law has affected, or perhaps will affect, your life, then join us over at the Townhall to tell us your own story...
Received May 24th, 1997
I am a manager in a business that was notified by the S.S.A. of employees that SS# did
not match the name. one of the men has worked with the firm for almost ten years, he owns
a home and under that name and SS# has paid taxes the entire time. At one point he got
behind and the IRS garnished his wages and still is. To me this is an injustice. We have a
very short time to help him and others that have worked hard for years and will loose all
because INS says they do not believe them on the amount of time they have been working.
Even though they have pay stubs for the time. I am looking to help all I know that have
proven to be assets to our socity.
Received May 4th, 1997
Im an Ilegal alien wich is married to a citizen, the new law has change our life style
completly, I live in constant fear as well as my family, rigth now we are strugling a lot,
the ways the goverment is making things is just too hard for us and our family, I been
thinking about changing my legal status but it seems like everybody has a diferent version
of the legal sistem, with this message im trying to get some one to gide me through this
complicated world of new inmigration laws, if some one is willing to assist me on this I
will be really greatful to them, thank you for the oportunity to express my concerns and
my needs.
Jose
Received April 24th, 1997
My mother was born in Canada, she is 80 yrs old and received a letter from SSI saying
her benefits will be cut off effective July 1 if she doesn't prove she has become a
citizen. My mother is mentally disabled and has been since I was a baby. Somehow, on her
own she raised 5 children who work, pay taxes and don't have criminal records. The social
security office sent us away Monday, we must get proof Mom's a citizen. Mom doesn't have
any paperwork. She/we moved around much. INS line is busy, busy, busy. My mom can't go
stand in line in S.F. So I downloaded a Freedom of Information Act Request form to send to
INS requesting any documents the may have on her. I need to take her with me to a notary.
Then if INS can't find anything we'll have to prove she's a mental case and can't take the
Naturalization test, and maybe she'll get naturalization. I don't know what else to do.
Any info is welcome.
I can be reached at: pstone@astro.berkeley.edu
thanks, Patrice
Received April 13, 1997
I am a non-practicing attorney, an immigrant and a concerned family member. I am also
an advocate for the rights of Latinos and other low-income residents of California.
I am been trying to immigrate my husband since we married in 1995. At the time, I did
not yet qualify for naturalization aplication, so his visa petition was approved as that
of a second preference applicant. Given the circumstances prior to this law, we tried to
live as "lawful" as we could under INS laws. I have been the only working
provider in my family before I married, I was a single mom. My husband never worked
without authorization, never used a fake ID, never collected any public benefits and he
risked it every time he went to the streets. He has no drivers' license, no Social
Security, no I.D. At the age of 34, he cannot entered a bar or a club were ID is required.
He cannot buy cigarettes as he looks younger and ID is requested. He fears police. In so
many words, he lives --like many spouses and children of lawful permanent residents and
citizens of this country-- under siege.
Now, he is not only at the mercy of this tragic, anti-family, anti-immigrant
legislation, but close to believe that immigration to this so-proclaimed democratic
country and reunification with his family here maybe utopia. After this law passed, my
husband and myself think that the Chinese Exclusionary Act that separated so many Chinese
families for so long maybe soon reenacted, this time to affect primarily Latino and other
low-income immigrants.
I have in file with INS-Fresno an N-400 application. Given the wait for naturalization
interviews, I would probably not be able to file adjustment of status for my husband until
the end of the year (with luck, and provided nothing weird happens in Congress this year).
Of course, this will happen only if Congress extends adjustment of status beyond
September. In the meantime, what do we do? Do we prepare to a trip to his country of
origin, where his family is merely surviving and where I have no job nor roots? To my
country of origin, where unemployment is between 15 to 30%, depending where you live, the
country I left more than a decade ago simply because of lack of opportunities and a
severely depressed economy, the product of local corruption and the demands of the
International Monetary Fund.
Should I wait for my husband here? How long? Would I be able to see him ever again. Who
will take care of my twelve-year old daughter. Who will assist me in my house. Who will
help appease my panic disorder, which has subsided enormously since I married my husband,
my great companion. Would I be able to keep my job, given the economic and emotional
pressures of having a very-long distance commuting marriage. Why do I have to put up with
this new law that affects the core of my wellbeing, that of my husband and my daughter.
We have to fight this law to the end. It was carved out well, in detail, leaving no
much room for exceptions or mistakes. We need to lobby Congress to extend adjustment of
status beyond September. We must denounce every attempt to deport children and spouses as
fundamentally anti-family "values, " anti-human, and perverse. We need to help
organize grassroot immigrant groups against the new law and triplicate the number of
naturalized immigrants.
Received April 11, 1997
I'm from Fort Worth, Texas, living in Arizona at the time. Right now I'm engaged to a
Mexican immigrant. He's been here for about 7 years, working to make ends meet and help
out with his family living in Mexico. He was able to but them a house which wouldn't have
been able to be done with the low salaries they are making over in Mexico. My point is
that most immigrants come here for jobs, which is a good reason. Even in Texas I noticed
the same thing. They're not doing any harm here. They're human and should have the same
rights as we do to live in such a country. I feel this counrty is becoming two-faced. What
happened to the "melting-pot" theory?
Received April 11, 1997
The United States of America has once again shown itself to the international community
to be a racist, xenophobic society. This new immigration law which, fittingly, has taken
effect on All Fools Day, can only produce an equally powerful backlash. This law has the
potential for dividing the country as much as did the Viet Nam War. People ask, how could
the US have incarcerated its own citizens of Japanese heritage,or allowed the Jim Crow
system to exist, or commit genocide against the Native Americans? It’s happening
again with this irrational deportation law, right before our eyes. What of due process of
law? Wake up America!The Bill of Rights has been cast aside to allow triple 14’ high
walls on our southern border. Didn’t the holocaust teach us that when one group is
vilified, disparaged and annhilated we all suffer? The US has yet to learn that it cannot
act with impunity. Today, this veteran is ashamed that my country has so little regard for
human life and dignity.
Guillermo Lazo
Received April 11, 1997
The Mexican government has to stand up to the US and say "Basta!" If
Federales send home a few gringos, you'll see the law change and pronto! The current
Mexican government has to start acting like a government, and tell the Americans:
"See here, you have to give our people due process." Why not institute something
like the gastarbeiter program, "guest worker" program like Germany has? It's not
perfect, but it gives some status to immigrant workers. The US doesn't think of Mexicans
as "People" worthy of dignity. For Americans people of color are expendable. How
convenient in a convenient throw away society. Look at how the US treated (treats) Native
Americans Japanese Americans, African Americans: SECOND CLASS CITIZENS, ALL! Lets be
organized and civilized and proceed about this business in a dignified way. Let's not pull
indigenous looking people from their bicycles and write on their arms with magic markers!
The Navajo people have a saying which describes people with no conscience: "He acts
like a person with no relatives." That's how the Americans act. They don't feel any
responsibility for the rest of the world. As long as their material needs are met, screw
everybody else! Do you know what it's like to walk around as a minority and have whites
stare at you like you came from another planet? Welcome to AMERIKKKA!
Received April 10, 1997
To whom it may concern,
I like to tell anyone who will read this message that, this new
law will affect millions of people who have been in this country for long period of time.
I myself have been here for 11 years and so far I have been what any American calls a law
abiding citizen and I called US as my home and I have treated my home with respect. Yes I
have been here 11 years, almost half of my life, I have learned to adopt to American ways
and culture and now this new law wants to throw me out, this new law wants my life
destroyed, my dreams will end if I have to leave. I have no idea what I would do if I have
to go back. I would feel an alien in that country which I left long time ago. I thought
America was all about dreams coming true, where people have freedom, right to dream and
protecting these rights for everyone in this world. I love this country for what it stands
for in human rights, don't turn your back on us now, you will hurt alot of people. I know
there are some problems in this country such as crimes, welfare and jobs, but I think that
pointing your fingers on all the immgrants will hurt this country even more. I think we
should work together in solving all these problems. We should not separte like some
communist country but stay together and fight for all that we believe in, all the things
that this country is made for. I know today I am an illegal immgrant in this country but
years ago so were everyone who step off that ship. I think more considerations should be
given to the many families who will be destroyed by this law. Last, I like to tell you
that even though I have been here for 11 years, I have supported myself, I was not a
burden on America and I have paid my yearly taxes. I like to stay here, my life will be
finished if you send me back, I hope someone who reads this will consider our point of
view.
Thank You
Received April 8, 1997
My concern is for the families that will be affected by this law and especially for the
innocent children, both citizens of the U.S. and unknowing "illegals" who have
come to the U.S. While the new law does not include the deportation of children under the
age of 18, it does not address the fact that many children will indeed have to leave this
country because their caregiver (the mother) will be forced to leave for a period of from
3 to 10 years. Many of these families are here because the man of the house came first to
the U.S. in the 1980's to work and later filed for amnesty. After receiving their
"green card" the husband then sent for his wife and children. Since this time
many children have been born in the U.S. and are by law U.S. citizens. These children of
our country will have to go to Mexico to live with their deported mother until she has
"served her time" out of this country. These children probably won't attend
school in Mexico, and may not be able to because they are U.S. citizens. These children
who will most certainly return to the U.S. will lose 3 years of education in their home
country (the U.S.). These children will be 3 years behind upon reentry and the cost of the
special classes to "catch them up" will be excessive. Let me say that it is our
obligation and to our advantage that these children be educated. I think that it is a
crime for these children to suffer because their parents failed to start or complete the
lengthy road to citizenship.
Paula Monroe
Received April 4th, 1997
I have a friend who has been in the US for 14 years. He owns several businesses and
pays his taxes. He is however not a citizen. He arrived here in 1984. He would have his
green card by now if he would have married and used a US citizen.. He however did not fall
in love yet while being in this country. He says that he can not abuse anyone for that
purpose especially someone who allows him to enjoy our beautiful country. What is he to do
now? I offered to do him the favor, but he refused. He said that he cannot expect a friend
to put their life on hold for him. He came here to study and felt at home, now he may have
to leave the country he calls home.
Received April 3rd, 1997
I would pay to see Clinton's face if this law would have taken place a long time ago
when his ancestors came to America looking for their dreams and freedom. Probably he would
not have been here to sign this irresponsible law.
I cannot understand how we let an immigrant sign a law against immigrants. This is
ridiculous. This country belonged first to the American Indians. Immigrants took it from
them, and now, probably, in a few years, the Indians will also become illegal aliens.
Unbelievable!
Of course I am against this new law, which will affect me as well as affect many decent
people who just came to this country with a dream in their minds. Unfortunately, during
our process to grow and learn we make mistakes. This new law means that immigrants with
the desire to work and build decent lives in a stable country have no chance at all, and
are received worse than a serious killer or a drug dealer on the streets. They, the
killers, have more rights and chances than an illegal immigrant! Don't you think this is
illogical?
Why doesn't Mr. Clinton dedicate his efforts, knowledge and tax-payers' money to more
important issues like the drug-dealing and crime which affects so many people, both
immigrants and non-immigrants? What is more important: to exclude decent and good people
who can help build a better country, or to fight this drug battle that you, Mr. Clinton,
and all America seems to be loosing? What do you think?
Yes, I am definitely against this irresponsible law, and consider that it should be
repealed immediately. I understand that people with criminal records and bad intentions
should not be accepted, but innocent people who only want to work? Why???
Improve your verification methods of criminal records, use new technology, but
stop persecution of innocent immigrants who are not an immanent danger to the country.
Received March 4th, 1997
This is just a comment: I saw a bumper sticker yesterday that had
a picture of the Statue of Liberty surrounded by barbed wire, and said: "Human
beings are not illegal".
Received February 21, 1997:
My dear Americans, I understand that you don't want any
foreigners in your beautiful melting pot. I'm saying this because of the new law, called
IIRAIRA. I would much rather you tell me to leave this country than to make stupid, cruel
laws as the one I have just mentioned. I'm speaking for myself as a Mexican, and, as a
Mexican, I would like to tell you that it does not matter how many laws you pass, and how
many excuses you make. I'm always proud to be Mexican, and nobody is going to take that
away from me. Believe me, I know where I came from. I have my pride and I have my dignity.
I certainly won't be begging you for anything, knowing that most of you came from
immigrant families. After all, the real Americans are the Native Americans, the ones who
are kept in reservations. What ground do you have for your laws of property rights and
immigration borders, when you yourself stole the land from the Native Americans? You know,
I could be mean-spirited also, but I have class instead. And I have a sense of what it
means to be human. And I'm wondering: Is God going to ask me for my "green card"
after I'm dead, and I stand at heaven's gate? You tell me that, if you know everything.
Gracias.
ILW.COM hosted the Micasa Sucasa website for many years. This file is a part of the archives of the site during that time.
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