ILW.COM - Stories from the Town Meeting

On April 6th, 2000 my Wife of three years, Martha and I were crossing the San Ysidro border crossing at San Diego, CA. As we approached the gate in our car, I got out the I-512 reentry permit we needed for Martha to reenter the US. She was returning from a visit to her Mother and Father for one week. I saw the permit was expired. Not knowing what to do and almost to the crossing I told my wife to say USA if asked if she was citizen. Of course I did not know that this was the worst thing we could possibly do. The Police knew something was not right and sent us to secondary inspection. Their Martha told the police what happened and how we did not know what to do. He said he wold talk to his supervisor and see if Martha could be released into Tijuana Mexico and I could be sent to fix the paper work.
But this was not what the supervisor decided to do. My wife was charged with illegal entry into the USA. Martha was not only charged with the first time offence of "5 year removal from the USA", but also charged with an additional third time offence illegal entry into US. This carries the trim of LIFE sentence removal from the USA. Yes my wife of three years, my Martha can NEVER RETURN TO OUR HOME FOR THE REST OF HER LIFE. Martha and I have NO criminal records not even a traffic ticket. Martha showed her valid United States social security card, California driver's license and her valid work permit (green card). The police woman behind the counter said they were fake and Martha replied they were not, check your computer. The policewoman replied;nothing comes up on the computer;. She then told us Martha was going to jail and was still angry from about ½ hour before when she yelled and stomped away from the counter yelling, and screaming then her fellow officers told her to calm down.
The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility act of 1996 has clear cut guide lines as to what the arresting police force that sentences my wife, as to what the sentence should be. They were not followed in my wife's case for she was given the extra charge of "Third time of illegal entry to the USA" LIFE SENTENCE. I now tell the border guards my story, as I pass daily comminuting from Tijuana to San Diego. They tell me that those charges do not sound correct, and explain the 1st, 2nd and 3rd offence charges to me, One even said I should appeal.
The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility act of 1996 has removed the Judicial Review from our type of case. I have talked to numerous attorneys and there is no legal recourse they could take one even said "Your dead in the water, sorry nothing I can do;. I can't believe that my Untied States of American Government would give any Police or Military force the unbridled power of sentencing with No Judicial Review. This arresting Police force that has the power to pass and carry out any sentences if chooses and not follow the Law's set out by the Untied States of America can only be abuse waiting to happen. As in our case Judicial Review is a necessary without it all hope is lost for fair and just treatment for every Untied States citizen.
At the time of this happing I was a full time student and a year away from my bachelor's degree, Martha had a business with two employees, and this was our only source of income. We were struggling trying to pay our bills and to have food for us and our two children. We were working toward a better future and the future looked bright. We dreamed of moving into a bigger house so Saul and Nayeli could have there own rooms after I finished school. Now Martha's business has closed, my schoolwork has suffered and now we all live in Tijuana, Mexico in a one bedroom house with bars on all the doors and windows. I had never lived in a third world country before and the noise and water conduction’s are very difficult here. The wild dogs running everywhere, is a hazard to our children's safety and the feces all over the sidewalks are a constant problem. The public school (we cannot afford privet schools) only teaches in Spanish so our children are falling behind in their English skills.
Our attorney has sent three letters to Ms. Salinetti, the AAPD at the San Ysidro, San Diego, CA. Port of entry. At this point we are waiting for any papers from the INS that would withdraw the life charges. Then and only then we could deal with the 5-year sentence charges if they are not withdrawn also. We have been patient for almost 1 year now waiting for the INS to right this wrong. The shock and trauma that Martha our children and me have suffered seems cruel and unusual punishment for claiming to be a US citizen. I met my wife in the Untied States got married in the Untied States and my wife has been improperly charged (life sentences) and without due process (no impartial judge for sentencing) and is now denied by written law, any judge to review the case. My civil rights have been violated by a system that has destroyed my family and future forever. Our sentence was passed by a female police officer behind a counter at a detention facility no judge, no jury, no attorneys, no trail, no Miranda rights. My civil rights as a US citizen, to raze a family, to be protected by the laws of the US, to live in a safe and protected environment all have been removed from my life. For me the Untied States no longer stands for a just and fair system always against oppression and totalitarian governments. My life now is looking at a government with cruel and unusual punishment no due processes and has written laws to prevent a judge from being able to correct the error.
For me all hope is lost.
Mark
mar1mar2@hotmail.com

My husband story starts 11years ago. He was sentenced for 15yrs. in the prison for drug related charges. The system put all charges on him because when they took him out on bail, instead of giving people to the narcs, he left town, so they put a warrant on him. He was working at Montana at the oil rigs at that time. He went to purchase a stereo for his truck, and comming home the police stopped him. They flew him back to Dallas where they had the warrant. He stayed in jail for more than a month until they decided to send him to TCD. That is when they gave him the 15yrs., but only did 18 months. Back then every month was like a year. When he came out they said that he did not have any legal right to be in the U.S. because he had no papers, but that is a BIG LIE! His motherhad her citizenship so she decided to get their papers in 1975, he was six years old. So they deported him thinking that he was illeagal. They gave him special conditions about returning to the U.S. till the year 2003. Well he came back, but not with the same intentions, what he did back then was a mistake, he knows that. But my argurment with the system is that they have to look at his record from then and now, and they have to see that he has been a hard worker, paying taxes like everyone else, supporting his family, making sure that we never went hungry, or without of roof over our heads. He is a good man, a wonderful husband, a wonderful fathere. What I don't understand right now is that they have in jail right now has been there for four months, he had a revocating hearing and just been revoked, right now we don't even know how long he been in prison again. Here we have a man that has been working all this time, then for a couple of mistamieners, they find out that he should not be here. A bounty hunter came to my door one evening about 5:00pm my husband answered the door, he said my name and when I went outside I saw my husband in handcuffs, I was blown away. He had just gotten out of work, tired and hungry. They took him to the sherrif dept. and he is still there. I thank Jehova God that he has given me the strength to keep going, but can you imagine someone in your life so close to you and just taken away. Now I know how the people in those countries that have there love ones taken away without any explaination. My children are so lost right now, and asking for there father everyday. And to leave there home because I cannot afford to pay the bills and and house payment. I have lost everything due to these laws that they have or make up on the way. I don't know who els to turn too! I'm scared that I will never see my husband again!!. What can I do or who can I turn to. Here we have a man that can support his family, pay state taxes, and they would rather imprision him and have the tax payers pay $30,000 a year just to house him. Is there any alternative for this kind of case? Like putting him on probation, or house arrest or something, but not prison. He has a family to support and child support to pay. Please if any one has any legal information please help me. He is legal to be here because he has been here all this time, I just need some help to were he won't be doing all that time and still end up going back to Mexico after. They need to change those laws, because no matter how many times you send them they will always come back.

"A Wife and Mothere in Dispair"

I was deported out of the US in 98, after serving a two sentence in an Ohio institution. I have lived in the US since I was born in 1970, I was married to a US citizen, and I have four kids that are US citizens.
I was deported back to Mexico, just because I was born their, I have never live their prior to my deportation. I miss my kids and they miss me. After serving 2 years in prison I have been taught a valuabe lesson in life and sometimes we can mature and grow or stay stuck, I chose to use learn from my mistakes. Now all I ask for is to be given one final chance to return to the US to be a model citizen and to raise my kids. If anyone one can help or has any advice please, please let me know.

Thank you for you time, and may god bless you all.

Sincerely,

Kristina

hello,i need some justice for my brother who is in detention centre for the last 4months, his wife and three small childern live in phonex, AZ, in poor conditions, My brother is not a citizen, thats why last year they left for pakistan to start a new life,his wife and kids couldn't adjust there due to the strick religious differences, his wife is non-muslim, which was the major issue over there ,they use to get threatning calls from some relogious group saying that they will kill his wife cause she is raising a non-muslim family.finally they decieded to return to U.S, upon getting a visa he and his family arrived at pheonix airport where he got arrested for over stay last time, by INS and since then he is in detention.he also filed for political assylum as he thought is important.i hired a lawyer also for initial fee of 2000$ his name is Eric Bowman he filed his PITITION and promise to help us, but unfortunately he never appeared on any of the hearings, upon asking him,he said that he had a rough week and he is sorry that he couldn't make it.
now my brother is fighting his case by himself hoping that they will release him, but now i think they will deport him becaues he don't have a lawyer to fight his case.in that case his family will go through hell, which is extremely heartbreaking.his next hearing is on 5th feb'01 and he wants to know if he takes a volunteer departure how much time will it take him to return to U.S.????PLEASE LET US KNOW SO THAT WE COULD TAKE PROPER STEPS.

Feb.15,1973i entered the united states and i have only visited my native jamaica once since.In the thirty years that i have been living in america i have only been in trouble with the law only once.In 1992 i was indicited on a posession,intent and a school zone violation,in 1994 i took a plea agreement of which i was given 364 days and three years probation.i spent three months in the county jail and was released to compleate the probation time, of which i compleated in two years instead of the three. ON May17,2000 ins took me into custody and charged me with voilating the immigration law.i was taken away from my job of five years shackled handcuffed and wisked away to the hunson county correctional facility before i knew what was happening.i spent two weeks at this facility,i was then shackled,cuffed and driven to an airfield in up state new york and flown to the federal detention center for another two weeks. i was then given a 1500 dollar bail and released. sinc!
e then i have lost my job,my car,i cannot find work since the ins has taken all my paper work.i cannot take care of my child , my life is in ruins.if i could get a judicial review i could win my case.America has taken everything from me because of one mistake, they then waited seven years after my crime and after they changed their laws to punish me again.i have no family members on the island no place to live no means to live. I HAVE TRUELY BEEN SENTENCED TO DEATH.

ALL what I have done have been imposible,I wonder to many people facing the same problem,how is this posible that nobody has communication with nobody for doing something? what is going on? Are we that back in the time that were not right to speech or freedom for press? . It is sad to think that only money can make people to care about other human being,do we all do not have one head,two legs,like everyone else,even if we do not have money?Rotten justice,where only the wealthy have the right to justice,and the poor is nothing.I wonder what is justice at all? why certain people can avoid it,without remorse or punishment,should we have respect for something that does not have respect for itself,or is only is the imagen of something that doesnot exist,at list for who are the weak? Move,DO Something,wake up,you,yes you t!
hat are crying,waiting for something to happens. Too many letters,too many people,what have you done? only complain and wait. Think again and act,contact the same people that have written in this site and ask them what can be done,but do it.BYE,BYE now.

I want to know what is happening with the 245i law? Is our goverment going to help the illegals that come here to harvest our food? Without them, the farmers know they can't get any other people to work. I can't
imagne working in Mexico for$2.00 a day, know wonder the Mexican's come
here to work. On another note, what happen's to the money that is taken
out of their check's for Social Security, Federal tax, State tax and so on if these people can't file taxes. Where is this money over the year's? Who is benefiting? The people that are legal is not enough to
do all the work that is needed to be done. I have many friend's that
are farmer's and they feel the same way I do, we need to have more
people that are legal so that mean's our goverment need's to help the
farmer's.I fail to see the problem, where is it? All that these people
want to do is work here, we should be gald because these people work
very hard, more hard than I have seen in a long time.Why can't we help them? Does anybody care anymore?

TO WHOM IY MAY CORCERN.THE REASON WHY I'AM WRITEING BECAUSE I'HAVE A HUSBAND WHO ARE IN I.N.S. CUSTODY AND I' THINK IS INHUMANITY ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE DOING TO PEOPLES LIVE AND THE CHILDREN THAT FATHER ARE BENING HELD BY I.N.S.ARE DERSTROYED AND SHATTERING CHILDREN LIVE THIS IS SO UNJUSTLY. SOME OF THE PEOPLES ARE LEGAL RESIDENT THAT HAS U.S.CITIZEN WIFE AND CHILDREN.AND I.N.S.IS STILL HOLDING THEM IN CUSTODY MY HUSBAND HAS BEEN IN THEIR CUSTODY FOR 8 MONTHS ON A 1987 CASE HE HAS CHANGE HIS LIFE AROUND.HE NEVER BEEN A DANGER TO SOCIETY THIS IS AFFECTED MY LIFE AND MY CHILDREN SEEM LIKE THESE PEOPLES THAT HAS THE POWER OVER PEOPLES LIVE THEY JUST GO AND PICK UP PEOPLES BECAUSE THEY LOOK LIKE THEY DON'T BELONG HERE THEY EVEN PICKING UP U.S. CITIZEN LOCKING THEM UP I' THINK I.N.S. IS CAUSEING THIS COUNTRY MORE MONEY THAN ANYTHING THE WAY THEY GOING AROUND PICKING PEOPLES.THAT ARE CITIZEN MAKE YOU THINK I'AM A CITIZEN WILL THEY COME AND PICK ME UP TO BECAUSE NO ONE SPEAKING UP ON THIS PROBLEM THEY SAID THIS NEW LAW HAS PASS BUT NO ONE IS TALKING ABOUT IT MY HUSBAND IS JUST SITTING THERE.WHILE I'AM STRUGGLING TO SUPORTED THREE CHILDREN.SEEM LIKE NO ONE CARE ABOUT FAMILY ANYMORE IT ALL ABOUT MONEY.I' HAVE ASKED MY HUSBAND LAWYER TO TRY AN GET MY HUSBAND OUT ON BAIL BUT THEY SAID NO HIS CASE HAVE TO BE REOPENING FIRST AND THAT COULD TAKE UP TO MONTHS MY HUSBAND HAS NEVER SEEM THIS LAWYER BECAUSE THEY MOVE HIM TO BATAVIA N.Y.AND THE LAWYER DID,NT WANT TO GO THAT FAR THEY MOVE HIM FOUR TIME AND HIS FAMILY WE CAN'T GO TO SEE HIM EITHER THANK YOU.

I am a sixteen year old,american white female. I met my boyfriend two years ago. Finding out he is an illegal citizen is hard for the both of us. Mexicans come to the united states because Mexico is so poor. Maybe America should stop being so stubborn and wake up and realize that people in Mexico die because they can not afford enough food for their families. My boyfriend told me he had two siblings that had to die because his family did not have enough money or food for his family to feed his younger siblings. Some Americans need to realize that God made us all equal and we should all work together. Having Mexicans come over to America shouldn't be a big deal. My boyfriend is a really nice guy he would do anything for anyone. He is a very hard worker and Because he is an illegal immigrant he has to work twice as hard. Sometimes he will work seven days a week. It is good to say that he has a very good job. Illegal immigrants don't deserve the racism they get from the americans. We act like we are better than every one else just because we have all the great technoligies and all the other great things we take for granted. We have it made compared to the illegal immigrants. Every Mexicans dream is the American dream. They just want to live a good life. If the united states doesn't want Mexicans coming over here to America than maybe we should help them make their a country a better place for them to live.

The way this has effected my life is that my boyfriend and I plan on spending the rest of our lives togther. And if doesn't become legal we may not be able to get married. But Know matter what happens I will stand behing my boyfriend every step of the way.

My name is Lisa Duarte, my husband of 4 years is facing deportation. We have 2 chidren together a 3year old and a 2 month old. mario was arrested in December of 99, with 2 kilos of cocine which he was set up by the government. he was sentenced to 34 months in the federal bureau of prisions and has been there since March. Mario has been in the U.S. since he was 3 years old and became a resident when he was 10 years old and is now 27 years old. He has no family left in his home country of Mexico. We don't have many choices if this law doen't get passed and he gets deported. What will my kids and I do? We eather go with him where there is no kind of life or education or leave there father and the love of my life. What a choice!!! I will do what I can for this bill hr 1485 to be passed. I don't agree with what my husband did but it is unhumane to give him a life sentence. The u.s is the only country he can remember. He is a good father and husband who made a bad choice and our family doesn't want to be ruined over it. I have a lot more I couls say but i have been kicked off the computer 4 times.. We are lost on what to do.
Worried Family

,I wrote earlier and want to make it clear I will do what I can to get the bill passed. I really fill this is unfair like in my husbands case has been her for 24 years and a tax payer and a hard worker for years. people make mistakes anf that what prision is for they should not be looking at everyone as one but as individuals.
Thank You Lisa Duarte Lisa, Keano, Angelo Duarte

I entered the US as a 21 year old Permanent Resident Alien (PRA) back in 1992. I have been working hard ever since, graduated with a degree and i am now working in a really good paying job that has enabled me to buy a house. Back in 1996, i was arrested for battery and as i did not know the law - i pleaded guilty with the first offenders act. It was explained by the prosecutor that my charge would be taken off my record if i did not get in trouble within the 1 year period of probabtion that was given to me. I did not spend any time in jail.....I then decided to apply for citizenship in late 1997, i have passed the history and written exams and was under the impression i was waiting for my "Oath" ceremony....was i in for a shock when i was sent a "Notice to Appear" which means the INS want to deport me for the one and only offence i was charged with. (i was innocent and was in the wrong place at the wrong time which makes this even worse) A lawyer has been contacted and i am positive that this crazy law will be beaten and with all our efforts we can all move forward together.

I will keep you updated on my fight for freedom. -An angry PRA

A new law has been referred to the Immigration Subcommitee.
It is HR 87 by Bob Filner.
Please call the committee and ask them to support it. It will change the definition of'aggravated felonies' for the better.
Please call and fax as soon as possible .
the phone number for the committee i 202-224-6098
the fax number for the commitee is 202-224-9102

I"am a 39 year old American citizen, Married to a Mexican man who took volentary departure from the U.S in June of 1999. I have Cancer (Urinary Tract) I"ve lived here in Mexico for a year and a half without proper medical care, not able to work, nor are we able to live on the 90 pesos he makes daily(about 9 dollars and 23 cents a day) I"ts very difficult to find my medications each month and even harder to afford them,they go up in price every month. My husband and I are waiting for medical statements from Doctors in the U.S To take to the Consulate in Juarez, to ask for my husband"s Pardon (I-601) and a Discretionary Relief. Without my husband I have no where to live in the U.S , no money to live on and no Health insurance. IF the Doctors (who haven"t seen me for a year and a half) decide to send the statements I need, It could still take a year to grant my husband"s Pardon. How much Cancer treatment can we afford on $9.23 a day,(after rent,electicity, food, and medications)

My name is Kathryn Ware Villarevia. I met Juan Villarevia while in Costa Rica in 1995-96 while studying tropical biodiversity and participating in a rodent biogeography research project. We continued out relationship long distance and I visited when I could get away from work. Juan went to the US Embassy to apply for a mere tourist visa to visit me and meet my family. He was denied almost immediately. I visited an attorney in Dallas, TX who advised me of some documents that might help him secure a tourist visa. After the six month wait to re-apply, I flew down with the paperwork and went to the Embassy with him. After hours of lines, we had a 2 minute interview and he was again denied. Sadly, I had to return to the US without him. As I was not ready to commit to marriage I did not pursue the fiancee visa--I felt it was unethical and dishonest. How I wish I had done that now. Juan and I both grew impatient and he decided to come anyway. I knew it was wrong and I didn't want him to become part of the reason why there exists such harsh legislation, but we didn't want to be apart either. Why is it so difficult for two honest people to simply be together? Because of where he was born? Am I not a "free" American citizen who only wanted some time with him? Happily, regretfully, and thank goodness safely, he came anyway. We spent 2 1/2 happy yet difficult years together here in the US. We were married in March of 2000. He recently went home to visit his elderly father. He is not coming back. Painfully aware that he is banned from the US for 10 years, I have resigned myself to being very far away from my mother. I have thought about what it will be like to either give birth in a country where the health care is not what it is here amidst doctors speaking a foreign language, or here in the US without the baby's father. I have thought about the loss of opportunity for future children as I don't feel confident we will be able to finance a decent eduacation living in Costa Rica. The list goes on. I find myself having to choose between my husband and living next door to my mother which was my dream. I wanted my kids to have those same experiences that I had with her. I realize that we are not completely innocent, but is it necessary to pay such a high price? I just want to be with my family. All of them. We are currently pursuing permanent residency in Canada as a sort of compromise. It makes me sad that a young, energetic, well-educated American citizen must take her talents and patriotism elsewhere. If the US doesn't want my husband, then they don't want me. They have much friendlier immigration laws in Canada and seem to strive to keep families together and not separate them as the US does hundreds of times each and every day. Is there anyone out there that can help me? Am I misinformed? Am I missing something? I keep hoping someone will think of or know something that I don't about the laws. I hope someone will contact me. Pezote@aol.com

I am a British husband of an American Citizen. To cut along story short, we met over the internet and after a lengthy courtship, I flew to the states to marry my bride ON THE ADVICE OF THE INS who said I could apply for a social security number and a work permit upon marriage. After we were wed we were told the rules had changed and we had to file forms which cost a lot of money. Not being allowed to work it was difficult to save the money. I was recieving an insurance payment from the UK which helped but not by much. Unscrupulous companies soaked up our funds and we could not again raise the funds for the papers, but also were afraid to apply as every time we rang the INS to get information, we were told a different story. We didn't know what to do for the best. Eventually, my insurance company insisted I return to the UK to keep the payments which I needed merely to keep a roof over my families head, I also had the pressure from the INS saying I had to return and apply for a visa. Only to find out after the event that I could have stayed and applied. Now, I am in the UK and stuck as I am on state benefit now and cant afford the money for the visa application let alone the flight back. We are STUCK thanks primarily to the INS. I have read the many letters on this site and am appalled that there are so many similar cases of families being ripped apart by the callous and uncaring people. These individual cases all count as an act of inhumanity against innocent families. In our desperation to get the INS to change their rules and procedures, my wife and I have built a website on which we are collating helpful information, links to other sites or relation, and other peoples experiences. Our goals are to stop the parting of families and to allow automatic immigration with the filing of forms in retrospect, particularly in the case of families.
Please give us a visit, and make your contibution to the poll, the message board and the petition.
Thank you.

http://www.maxpages.com/caringfriends

This law has distroyed my life and the life of my US citizen family. Due to this law we all are living out side of USA to keep our family together.

hello, my name is cynthia. back in march 27, 2000 my husband was deported by ins. they said he was claiming to be a us citizen, but that was not the case. we filed all his paperwork in january 14,1998, and payed the 1500 fine like ins asked. we met the deadline date which was that same day. at first ins made different statements on why he was being deported and finally they told the truth. we have an attorney and we had to sent all the paperwork all over again and payed 1500 again. the problem i have is that when the law changed should it have applied to my husband 3 years later? my husband was never in trouble with the law, never even got a ticket, never did anything but support his family. we have 3 children 3, 2, and 4 months. this year he will miss his daughters first christmas and his sons 2 birthday all because ins wasn't telling us what was going on with his papers. we made several visits to ins to find out more information and what else we could do, or if we needed to pay for something else, but they never could give us a straight answer. they only gave my husband a work permit for 3 years. at every interview we had that was all they gave us. but now i need some sort of help or suggestion on what else i can do for him. a response we be greatly appreciated. thank you so much, cynthia

Two months ago, much to my suprise, my husband discovered that an offense he commited 13 years ago (he is now 35yrs old) now makes him deportable. Sometime in the spring of 2001, my husband will be returning to the Dominican Republic, and place he has not seen since he was 10 years old. Without divine intervention, we can see no possible way of stopping this action. When my husband was originally convicted he was not aware that what he was advised to plead guilty to by the public defender was a deportable offense. Based on constitutional issues, we could reopen the criminal case and try to get a reduced changed but we don't have the liquid funds to be involved in a long court battle that may not do any good, and my husband does not want to sit in an INS detention center until things are decided, especially if not in our favor. My husband is a legal resident alien and I am appalled that he and others like him are stripped of due process and equal protection. In additon to this to make sure that they are deported, there is no longer any judicial review or discretion. It is the most discrimentory law on the books to date, and I would know as I am a minority. With the hispanic population on its way to becoming the largest group living in the U.S., it is no suprise that there are tools in place to curtail that growth as much as possible. This, naturally, will rip our family apart. Because of some previous surgery, in order for us to have children, we must go through the invitro process. If he is deported, we will not be able to have the children we despartely want. We were just beginning the process when we heard from INS.

I have a story about a young man that illegally crossed into the USA. He came from Nicaragua, from a very life threatening situation. He was arrested for trespassing in 1996 and when he attempted to apply for political asylum, they provided him with an attorney that worked with the INS and this attorney interpreted his testimony falsely which caused this young man to be deported. He was able to cross again illegally in the USA and was arrested again for trespassing in April of 1998. He
became very depressed during his imprisonment and was sent to a psychiatric facility. He remained at this hospital from Sept. 1998 until Jan 1999 when he was released under the Temporary Protection Status due to the hurricane that devastated his country. I helped him fill out the applications and paid the fees that were required for this status and also for a work permit. This man wanted to begin a new life, working legally and without fear of being killed by his government. (He
witnessed a murder by the Nicaraguan police), We sent these applications off immediately and didn't hear anything until June of 1999. He was asked to report to the INS office to be fingerprinted and to provide a picture for his id card. He did what they asked, (I provided the transportation), yet he didn't hear anything about his working permit. I called the INS office numerous times trying to find out what happened and received no information or answers to my questions. He also appeared in person to the office downtown and asked them about his card. They informed him that they didn't speak Spanish and couldn't help him. (Why don't they have enough staff that can help immigrants in their own language?) I then took off of work and went with him again down town to the INS building and again they pulled his file but said they didn't know anything about his work permit application and no answers or help was given. (What are computer data bases for?) Finally, in August of 2000 we received a letter about his work permit stating he needed to refile and provide proof of who he was (again - we already sent it once) and identification that was state recognized (AZ driver's licensee, AZ identification, passport or a birth certificate translated in English by only approved agencies) Well he couldn't obtain the first two items because you have to have a green card which we were still waiting for. We have been unable to locate his family members in his country and do not know if they survived the hurricane, therefore he did not have any identification on him. (When an immigrant fleas his country in fear of his life - he does not carry identification with him). This has been a hardship on him and has caused him to live on the streets at times and unable to get the proper help for his mental health as well. This young man is suffering from post traumatic stress disorder and was not able to continue his medication after he was discharged from the hospital because he was not able to work legally in the USA to support himself. He came from a country that is very poor and corrupt. His mother dies when he was 15 years old leaving him to live on the streets because his father left the family when he was a young age. He dropped out of school at the age of 10 to help and
support his family by working 10 - 12 hours everyday. He is not eligible for a professional status here because he was not privileged enough to stay in school and obtain a profession. His sisters had to prostitute themselves after the parents were no longer there to care for them. He was falsely imprisoned in his country several times but never convicted because he was not found guilty. In his country, the accused remains imprisoned until found innocent and that can take years, especially when you don't have the money for an attorney. There were many times while he was in prison that they fed him only the bones of the chicken that the guards had eaten. He witnessed the last time he was imprisoned, some guards beat a man to death and when they discovered he was a witness, they told him he would be next if word got out. This caused him to panic and he escaped the prison and made his way by bus and by train to the USA for hope of beginning a new life without living
in fear. During his imprisonment, they tortured him and he pleaded to contact the Amesity Organization for Human Rights but the prison staff refused to allow this contact. He has scars on his wrists and up his arms from trying to kill himself before they tortured him to death. Still, nothing was done - no help was offered to this young man. He is now 28 years old and has desperately done everything that the INS requested only to be arrested in Apache Junction for being drunk (self
medicated his symptoms of PTSD) and walking out of a store with a bottle of alcohol. During this time he was in a black out and didn't remember his place of residency which was with me so they took him to jail and did not allow him to make a phone call to me and then transported him to Las Vegas jail because INS was to full in Florence. He now is facing deportation back to his country which is a death sentence to him. This man has suffered years of poverty, torture, and now the unjust treatment of the INS. If the INS had given him a means of financially providing for himself (work permit), he would not have continued in his depression
and attempting to self medication himself. This man is in desperate help and if you are interested in more of this story - I have more to give and he has his whole story written on paper (in Spanish). I would like to get America's attention on why many illegal and even legal (in his case with the temporary protection status), turn to crime, alcohol and drugs. If they were given the means to work legally and provide for themselves, the stigma surrounding them would not point to all of them
coming over the border and bringing drugs and crime with them. Sure there are those that do that but how many US citizens also participate in that type of activity? Many of these immigrants are willing to work a full day of hard physical labor for maybe $25.00 because they have to work for cash illegally but they want to be able to provide for themselves and maybe for their family without doing illegal acts. Something needs to be done here. This young man continues to have flashbacks of being tortured and the dangerous trip he made to the US and now behind bars again, his flashbacks are stronger and his depression and anxiety is rising which interferes with his decision making and understanding what is happening to him. Please consider this story. I am a professional and do not want my name disclosed in any of this story. This story is only about him and others like him.

The following is my experience with the INS.

I an a Canadian citizen and I was married on August 25, 2000 to an American citizen in Port Huron, Michigan. Before we were married, we had been advised by an INS person in the branch office of Omaha, Nebraska, that all that was required was our marriage certicate and my husband's birth certificate, for me to enter the U.S. to live there until the proper papers were processed.

I proceeded to give up my place of residence, employment and arranged to have all my belongings shipped down to the states on this advice. When I arrived at the border on September 19, 2000, I was sent to immigration to be processed. It was then that I found out that I did not have all the proper documentation to join my husband, who was waiting for me in Port Huron.

The person that interviewed was one Officer Tweedy (spelling?) who was extremely abusive and ignorant. He asked me all kinds of questions i.e. where did you meet your husband, how long have you known him, who did I think I was, marrying an American citizen, why didn't we get married in Canada or down in Nebraska. He kept me there for a couple of hours and was discussing me with the other officer there and making fun. I told him nothing but the truth and he was treating me like a hardened criminal. When he was finally finished, he gave me all the necessary papers that had to be filled out, practically threw my passport at me, when I asked for it back and he escorted me to my car and sent me back to Canada.

I contacted my husband and he called a lawyer in Port Huron. He wasn't able to help and referred us to another lawyer in Detroit. This lawyer advised us that I should cross at Windsor and tell them that I was going on vacation.

Well to make a long story short, I didn't listen and tried to cross at Sombra on the car ferry on September 21, 2000. I was stopped once again, after telling the officer there that I was going on vacation. He made me go into the office and after going into his computer, asked me again where I was going and once again, I said I was going on vacation.

He got extremely angry and said I was committing fraud, lying about where I was going. By this time, I was extremely upset and scared. He threatened to put me away, seize my car and made me give what he called a sworn statement. This comprised of asking me questions and entering the answers into the computer. I was never asked at any time to sign this statement. There wasn't even a copy printed off.

I was detained for four hours and he finally made me go out to my car and called me back about 1/2 hour later and advised me that he had spoke with his supervisor and they had agreed to let me go a second time, but warned me not to try to cross the border again, because it would have very, very serious consequences. I then proceeded to go back to Canada once more.

The reasons for being refused entry are 212(a)(6)(C)(i) and 212(a)(7)(A)(i)(I). I understand the first reason is for misrepresentation and could be very serious.

We have now submitted the I-130 petition to INS in Lincoln, Nebraska. We haven't heard as yet, whether it is being processed. I have been told it can take as long as two years to come through.

So now we play the waiting game, like everyone else.

My name is tammi and i need someone to help me i don't know what to do my boyfriend of 3 years has gotten him self in alot of trouble he has committed a crime that has landed him self in jail and is now faceing deportation immagration canada wants to declare him a danger to the public if that happens he will have no chance of an appeal i can't let this happen to my family or his he is a great man that made a big mistake that he regrates and will for the rest of his life he has a son from a previous marrage and has been the only person my 6 year old daughter has ever known as a father and now we have a son together i don't know what else i can do in this situation a lawyer has already made a submission to immigration and she got some facts wrong when i spoke to her about it she did not want to change anything and when she did she got that wrong to and now she does not want to change it and i don't know if this is going to change anything i need help i will not accept anything else then answer saying that he can stay can someone ther help me do this or refere me to someone who can if he has to go i will pack up my children and go to uraguay with he and i don't really want to do this please help us all stay comfortable in canada

thank you tammi

I am committed and desire to do anything I can to help restore humanity to immigration law as it relates to deportation. Please let me know how you think I could help. I am a California resident and lifelong U.S. citizen.

iam a 13 year old whos parent are from Mexico (and proud of it ) i know how hard it is coming from another contry, my father has been hear for more than 17 years my mom has been hear for 10 years my parents have acomplished many thing in the time they have been hear. other kids at school are imbaressed of being hispanic because they fell they are not welcomed ANY MORE i dont think that's right thank to my parents hard work we now own our own house, that's been thir dream like for ever when i turn 14 i am planing on going out to work an my dream is to be the first Cortes (last name) to go to cllege. J.C.

I would like to know who the lawmakers were that voted for this stupid law, so that I will never vote for them again.

Thanks Stuart

I married a wonderful man in 1993 who is a dominican resident. We had our own business and were flourishing. Due to an error in judgment, my husband got involved with people who were looking to hide behind him and use his standing and commit a crime which will forever mark our lives. He was sentenced to 10 years for conspiracy to traffic illegal substance Due to inconsistencies in his trials (he had two trials - one was deadlock and they other after the evidence and closing statement were done the jury wanted to see more evidence) his sentence was overturned.When given the option to go back to try his case by jury, because of the tremendouse stress it put our family through (his trial process lasted two years) he decided to plea bargain and get a 7 1/2 year sentence. According to federal statistics the chances of a hispanic winning a trial by jury is less than 1%. If convicted, he could do 20 years. My husband and I are under the understanding that eventhough he did not personally commit the crime, he is responsible for not avoiding it either and we were conformed with the sentence imposed. However, the buck does not stop there. Because he is not a US citizen, now we have immigration to contend with. With the new laws my husband is surely to get deported and put our family to live in a world unknown to us. Yes, we have visited - visited the country but to live there is another story. It a highly expensive country and unless you have a car and a house -- its harder. We have nothing in the Dominican Republic, except family that are in more need than we are. I have a great paying job and my own home here in the states. I am a US Citizen born and raised and so are my children and his children. What are we to do when he gets deported? Sell my house? What am I going to get? I owe more than 90% of it. I have car loans, credit cards and personal line loans that I can never pay all in one shot. My daughter who is having her second child lives with me because she(boyfriend lives with his mother too!) is back in school and can't afford to live on her own yet.
My son starts high school this year and only knows english. I have to work two jobs (plus sell avon) in order to pay my bills now here in the states.
I need the financial support of my husband and his children from his first marriage need their father. Not to mention my children that consider him their father. Some people say, "oh! Don't worry, your an american - you will find a job" But even if I do (with my broken spanish) is that going to be enough to send my son to school, pay rent, buy a car in the Dominican Republic? And until we do find jobs--what are we going to live? This is so frustrating, is like your being banned, vanished and (metaphorically speaking) put to death because of a crime that you have done your time on. However, they are rapist, child molestors that because they are Americans are walking the streets with no kind of restrictions -- is this unfair or what I feel they should amend these laws and give the people the chance to rehabilitate and start anew. Increase supervision/parole, there are people that do change and become responsible citizens. I have read that they are trying to amend the laws, however everything comes before they make a decision on how they will amend them -- especially now with not knowing who's going to be our next
president Life in America is not fair -- God forbid you commit a mistake that will subject you this cruel and unspeakable punishment.

I recently became a US citizen. I have been married for over six years. When I married my wife I was a legal resident. I applied for her legal residency as soon as February 1994. It took over 5 years before I heard anything from the INS. On December 1999, her status was changed and she was granted a work permit and a social security number, but was told that she cannot leave the country. We have waited for many years and she really would like to see her family. The immigration officer told us that we needed to wait three more years before she can travel abroad. Now that I had become a US citizen I would like to know if there is anything that I can do to help her see her parents before the three years. Her parents are older and do not like to travel, so basically, is there any way that she would be allow to travel without jeopardizing her status? How can I help change this stupid law that is keeping us as prisoners?

      To Whom It May Concern,
This is a plea for help and assistance in keeping Francisco Luna from being deported.We are not currently married but plane to marry in the near furture. However,we have lived together for 15 years sharing marital responsibilities and have a wonderful family.We have two sons and Francisco also has one child from a previous marriage.Francisco is buying the home where we reside and also owns his own car.     In February 1999 he was charged with trafficking marijuana. He was
given a twelve-month sentence.Around the last of May 2000,immagration visited him in prison and stated he probably was sure to be deported. In Atlanta, immagration says this charge is a aggravated felony and you get no hearing or chance to prove you are worthy of remaining in the United States. He committed a crime and takes responsibility for it and served the sentence handed him by the courts.      Francisco, born in Mexico has lived in thr United States for twenty years.He has no prior criminal record and had never been in any type oftrouble before this.He has never been anything less than a good hard working father,perfect companion and provider for our children and I.I am a stay at home mom,which Francisco and I think is best for our children.He has always been our sole support,even while incarcerated sending our house payment and support for the children as well as myself. This was accomplished from his job during work release in which he earned for being a model prisoner.Not only did he make provisions for our children and I but was able to save some money also. I have letters of recommendation and character from the President of the company he worked for,one from his supervisor, and one from his case manager at Cabarrus Correctional Center.Anyone acquainted at all with Francisco has nothing but praise for his hard work ethics and attention and care for his family. If anyone has ever deserved a second chance it is Francisco. He and I know what he did was wrong.He served his sentence and we were preparing to get on with our lives until this occurred with immagration.He signed deportation papers October 10.I have contacted lawyers from Raleigh to Atlanta and all say there is nothing they can do.We were told
if charges were reduced then he would not have to be deported.A district attorney in Cabarrus County was asked if she could help get thr charge reduce to keep him from being deported and she replied absolutely not, and stated this would be a better area if they were all deported. Please help save my childrens father an my fiancee,he has served his punishment and vows to never be near trouble again.He was very cooperative when arrested and assisted the authorities in every way he
could.Now if this happens the children and I will be punished as well by our family being broke up. I need Francisco,the children need him and we will all be devastated if our family is separated.Please any consideration and help will be so greatly appreciated.I thank you for your time and consideration and Francisco as well as our children thank you.

Hi,
I have a family member who has been deported.This has affected the whole family,He has two kids that are American. They miss their father every day .he got deported back in 98''.because of something that happed in 1989 .He did four months for that crime.Than this new law goes into effect and they pick him up but him in jail for a month and than they deported him.This new law is not fair! they have to change the law. To many people are getting deported for something they have done years ago.It is not fair, he has two kids that can't see thier father! My family came to America back in 1975. We have been here for a long time. My father is ill and if anything happens to him ,he will not be able to see his son.I would like to have my brother back in the United States Of America.After all this is the land of the free! My brother was a tax payer for many years,and a home owner. I believe that if you kill someone it would be best to send them back to their country.But not for something you have done in the past!

I AM A US CITIZEN WHO MARRIED IN 1990 MY HUSBAND WHO WAS BORN IN MEXICO BUT LIVED IN THE US SINCE HE WAS 4 YEARS OLD HE IS NOW 30YEARS.WE HAVE THREE BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN WHO ARE ALSO US CITIZENS.IN 1998MY HUSBAND HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE LAW YET HE SERVED HIS TIME MADE COURT ORDERED PAYMENTS AND WE BEGAN TO GET OUR LIFE BACK TOGETHER TO KEEP OUR FAMILY UNITED. IN JANUARY 2000 MY HUSBAND DID NOT COMPLY WITH HIS PROBATION OFFICER BY ATTENDING COURT ORDERED CLASSES,SO THE COURTS SENTENCED HIM TO TIME IN THE COUNTY JAIL. ONCE HIS TERM WAS OVER WE PLANNED TO KEEP STRIVING TO MAKE OUR LIFE BETTER FOR OUR CHILDREN YET I RECIEVED THE NEWS THAT THE INS HAD A HOLD ON HIM.THE LOOK AND TEARS OF A 9 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER KNOWING THAT HER DAD WOULD BE MISSING HER TENTH BIRTHDAY A 8 YEAR OLD WONDERING WHEN SHE COULD PLAY BALL WITH HER DAD AND A 5 YEAR OLD SON NOT UNDERSTANDING THAT DAD WAS NOT GOING TO BE NEAR ENOUGH FOR US TO VISIT HIM.I STARTED TO MAKE PHONE CALLS LIKE A MANIAC NOT KNOW!
ING WHEN I WOULD SEE MY HUSBAND AGAIN. YET MY EFFORTS WHERE NOT ENOUGH WHAT RIGHTS DID I HAVE ONLY BEIGN A "CITIZEN". I CAN NOT AFFORD A LAWYER WHO WOULD LIKE TO CHARGE ME 3000 DOLLARS. I AM HERE IN THE LAND OF OPPORTUNITY TO STRUGGLE EVERYDAY AS A MOTHER ALONE TO FEED AND CLOTHES MY CHILDREN WHAT OPPORTUNITY HAS THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING A US CITIZEN GIVEN ME IF MY HUSBAND CAN NOT BE BY MY SIDE . WHAT MAKES ME REALLY UPSET IS THE FACT THAT THE INS COURTS COULD NOT EVEN CONSIDER THAT THE CRIME WAS IN 1998 AND THE TIME WAS SERVED WHY DID THEY HAVE TO DEPORT MY HUSBAND 2 YEARS AFTER THE TIME WAS SERVED?NOW I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE INS DECIDES TO REPLY TO MY PETITIONS AND WAIVERS AND I HAVE TO FACE MY CHILDREN EVERYDAY WITH THE QUESTION OF WHEN THEIR FATHER WILL BE HOME.

After reading some of the letters, I find that I'm in a similar situation to most because I feel at times I'm the only one going through this with no help in sight. I have written to congressman, the President, the Vice-Pres. the Governor of my state, Representatives and members of my tribal council to no avail as all the doors have been shut. On 7-14-00, my spouse was arrested on an "anonymous" tip at a gas station and the agents were going to leave our three year-old in the hot pick-up truck. Anyway, he's been in jail awaiting his fate on this harsh law that was passed in 1996. I didn't realize how bad it was until now and I don't know what to do. He does have a criminal record from ten years ago but has lived a good life since we've been together which is five years in July and we've been married since 1999 and have a three year old daughter and he has been raising his step-daughter since she was nine. He has been categorized by the courts to be a danger to thecommunity, a threat and a flight risk which I have to disagree with as he's been in this country since 1976 and only lost his status in 1992 after he paid his debt to society. We are a happy, modest family who keep to ourselves and are happy to be with one another. He has done more than his part in cooperation with various agencies to make his name good but this isn't good enough for the prosecution who sees fit to label him as though we are still in 1991 and they don't seem to care about what happens to the family he has presently. Our daughter is an emotional wreck and to see her suffer in this matter makes me sad. I along with the family has suffered emotionally and financially as I can't seem to make ends meet anymore without him. I feel this law is so harsh and I wish they'd (the lawmakers) would stop to think if they were in this situation where they were torn from their families without the chance to participate in the family's life, just what would they do? I need my spouse back home with me to provide and upkeep the home we've had together all this time and it's as though I've lost a limb with his absence. I hope there is someone out there to listen to my plea to be reunited with my husband as he wants to live the american dream just to live in peace and harmony just as anyone else wants to. It isn't fair for these laws to dictate that 5th & 6th amendment rights and due process don't apply to him, yet we live in the "land of the free". I have to admit responsibility in my lack of knowledge in making his status right and I regret to be learning it the hard way now but I'm hoping that he can remain here in the states pending final outcome of his visa status as I've retained an immigration attorney who is doing everything he can so my husband can remain here in the states because I don't want to see him deported at all.

MY HUBAND HAS BEEN IN MEXICOCITY SINCE MY BABY GIRL WAS 3 MONTHS OLD MY I (130) HAVE BEEN APPROVED SINCE DECEMEBER OF 98 I GOT A LAWYER WHEN I HAD MORE PAPERWORK COME IN THAT I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND .KNOW I GOT A CDJ NUMBER WHICH NO ONE UNDERSTANDS AND MY BABY GIRL IS A TODDLER WHICH SEE HER DAD WHEN I WORK AND GET ENOUGH MONEY UP TO TRAVEL TO MEXICOCITY IMMIGRATION PUTS A 3 MONTH SPAND ON MY STAY AND THEN I HAFT TO GO BACK TO AMERICA AND START WORKING FOR WE CAN SEE DAD IN ANOTHER 3 MONTH BUT KNOW WE HAVE A SON MY HUSBAND SEEN HIM ONE TIME AND HE IS 8 MONTHS OLD I GO TOO SCHOOL FULL TIME AND RAISE MY KIDS THE BEST I CAN AND HOPE IMMIGRATION LETS MY HUSBAND COME HERE SOON MY LITTLE GIRL WHICH IS 2 YEARS LOVES TO LOOK AT PICTURE OF HERE DAD AND HOPE THE SYSTEM CHANGES TOO LET FAMILES BE TOGETHER .WE HAVE BEEN MARRIED FOR THREE YEARS AND STILL THE SYSTEM HAS NOT APPROVED A GREENCARD. THIS IS TRUE LOVE AND A TRUE MARRIAGE..LOOK AT MY KIDS AND YOU WILL SEE THERE DAD...

the land of the free home the brave that is pure bull sh__ i am facing the immigration laws with my husband to ins is telling us he has to leave and go back to mexico i live in minnesota i just seen on the news tonight that our wonderful govner jesse ventura wants a trade agreement with mexico but hes also part of making me and my husband have to split up i was married for 12 yrs before i just recently married my new husband who is a mexican male we are still newly weds and now we are facing him having to leave and go back to mexico for maybe 3-10 years my ex husband a american like myself was very vaery abusive and he gets slaps on the wrist hes a man that put me in the hospital many times on life support only let out of jail to do it again my husband now is the most sensitive caring loving man i have ever met there is a big age differance with us i am 33 and he is only 22 but age dont matter in my eyes only love and respect does and hes a wonderful man would harm!
or hurt anything but hes treated like a crimnal you have my ex that is mean abusive and should of been brought up on crimal charges alot of times but was let off on a technically only to do the same thing to me 24-48 hrs later and hes treated like a king some country we live in aint it

on oct 11th 2000 i was married to my boyfriend a mexican male i went to ins the next day to get all the paper work i needed to get his green card work permit etc and when i got home he then told me he was here illegally i went back to ins to find out what i need to do now so he can still stay here and they say there is no way he has to go back to mexico hes only been here going on 4 weeks now but ins is telling mw they he wont be able to come back for 3 to 10 years and there is no way i can go to mexico with him i have kids from a previous marriage and id never be able to take my kids with me and im not going to leave my kids behind so now i have to face loosing my husband or loosing my kids and it really sucks all the attorneys i have talked to around here want an outragous price and they all think i married my husband just to get his green card being there is such a big age differance between us i am 33 and he is 22 and the fact hes an illegal they say they think
i maried him just to get his green card and wont help me and they ones who will help me want like 5000 up front i dont know what to do i am so depressed i love my husband dearly

It is inconceivable that the American public is aware of what is going on with their friends, neighbours, colleagues, and even relatives, and are content to let these people, who have paid their debt to society, be treated in the way they are being treated now, thanks to Janet Reno. How would the American public like it if they had to pay for their crimes twice. There would soon be an out-cry. And what about the new influx of internationals that are getting special treatment so that they can bring their technological skills to build the same country that will throw them out in a minute if they commit the smallest crime, (like hair pulling). I bet they are not
aware of the dangers of helping "big brother", while their own country men and women are being thrown out like trash no matter how long ago their crime was committed. LAND OF THE FREE! Indeed!

I came to America on a visitor's visa. I married my ex-husband two weeks after being here. We had a son together in England where I grew up. I was born in Trinidad, West Indies. I was assured that I would be able to get my status changed within the next two years and I would not have to worry about a thing. Fourteen years later, I am divorced, an illegal alien and so is my son who is now 19 years old and cannot even get a driver's license. I am in this situation because my ex-husband refused to do what was necessary for myself and my son to become residents. Had he filled out the forms and sent the fee of a mere $60, we would have been residents within six months. Now I have to fight my ex-husbands lawyer who has already threatened to have me put in jail because I will not give up the house I claimed in the divorce and then deal with INS too. As a single-parent, I also have a ten year old daughter, I have to provide for my children with no apparent chance of relief. I am praying that the senate will at least hear, the proposal for amnesty for those here since 1986. I am also hoping that there will be a way to do something about all the other injustices going on with those who have been here legally and are being deported for crimes that they have already been punished for. It is rediculous to punish a person twice. That does not happen to other criminals who are born in America! Where are the attorneys who are fighting against this unfair practice? How can a person be sentenced again after serving their sentence? It is like being executed twice.

My Fiance entered the United States as a legal permanent resident in 1976 when he was 14 yrs old. In 1986 he was convicted of attemted murder and served five years and 10 months in state prison. Fifteen years later after my fiance has served his time and is now a law abiding citizen, INS came to our door at 6:00 am, the same way they came to get Elien is the same stratagy they used to get my fiance. This is not fair. This man has served his time and now they have him as a political prisoner. Being that he is labled as a aggravated felon they did nt give him a bond. We are in the 11th circuit (Georgia). The same thing happened to a man in New York (2nd circuit) and this man was released. INS is suposed to be federal. So why aren't the laws practiced the same way across the country no matter what state you live in. I am ashamed to say that I am a US citizen because of the was my so called country is treating not only my fiance but all of the immigrants in the US.

I am an English lady, married to a US citizen in Nov' 97. Filed for permanent status in Feb '98. I have always obeyed the law, both in England and here in the US. So why, when I become an immigrant am I treated as a criminal with something to hide? One of the worst experiences I have ever had occurred when I finally went to receive my work permit in Dallas. We were informed we had to be there at 10am, no later. We arrived at 9.30 only to find a line of people stretching to the next building. The temperature was 100 degrees and we waited outside in line for over 5 hours. There were women fainting and children constantly crying. Nobody dared leave the line. When we finally got into the building it was another 4 hours before my name was called. A lady opposite me went to the toilet, her name was called and of course she was'nt present so she lost her place after waiting nearly 9 hours. We were then herded into a corridor where we waited once more in line for our photo!
graphs etc - at no time was anybody remotely polite to us poor immigrants. I am sure you get the gist of it and understand how demorolising it all is !!by the way are there any other English ladies out there living the Dallas/Fort Worth area and having the same experiences? I would love to speak to them. Kay Abbott !!

We are immagrants from Italy. 2 yrs ago my brother got deported back to Italy. We have been in this country for 28yrs. My brother was 8 months old baby when we moved here. He got in trouble with drugs. What he learned he learned here, not abroad. He helped the government and they said they would help him. When everything was done the just deported him without even caring what they had promised. Me and my family are so upset with the United State government. I have been trying to get my brother back for my mothers sake. She hasn't been the same since he was deported. I'm trying to find out any new laws or attorneys that can help me and my family to get my brother back home. Thank You, Lore

My brother was convicted of a drug charge four years ago. He has served 4 1/2 years in jail and was recently released. On the day of his release, INS picked him up and he is awaiting proceedings in front of an imigration judge. Due to the nature of his conviction he is not eligible for parole. He is deportable under IIRA and to complicate matters worse, he is a cuban national. He cannot be deported to Cuba! My family and I have very grim expectations. We are trying to be hopeful but everything I have read leads me to believe that my brother has no form of relief under these new laws. I feel angry. My brother was 3 years old when he came to this country, he is now 32 and all of his life this was his country. He made a big mistake and for that he paid by serving time in jail. Now he he is being punished again by facing the possibility that he could remain in jail indefinitely if the imigration judge doesn't grant him parole. This incident is tearing our family apart. !
My brother has a 14 year old son that he cared for before he was incarcerated. My parents have been raising him for the last few years hoping that upon my brother's release he would resume his parental role. Now all we can do is hope that we get a fair and understanding judge that will allow my brother to be released pending his deportation. All of the lawyers we have visited have been unwilling to take this case. They feel it is not winnable. We take it day by day and hope that they don't transfer my brother to Oakdale. If you feel you can help my brother please contact me at jackiesa@fox.com

IMMIGRANT FAIRNESS ACT, 2000, pls RESTORE JUDICAL REVIEW OF DECISION ON LIFE ALTERING DECSIONS OF ALL IMMIGRANTS< GO TO THIS WEBSITE TO SEND A FAX/EMAIL LETTER TO YOUR REP AND CLINTON. THANKS ..http://www.aclu.org/action/detjud106.html

   My friend came to this country 12 yrs ago through Mexico. This poor guy did all the right things up to now and this whole inmigration issue still hunting him.
   He just graduated from an accredited Master Program in Physical Therapy and currently he is seeking to get license in the state of NY, but people in Albany are giving him a hard time. He is been married to a US green card holder since August 1997 and I am wondering if there is something he can do. He heard from people that Physical Therapy is under Class 1 Category, which would allow him to apply directly for the Greencard if some company is willing to sponsor him. My question is: If he is grandfather under his wife's status, does he has to leave the country to apply or he can pay the penalty ($1,000)and apply here. Now, if these people are giving him a hard time to obtain his license, how can anybody sponsors him if he is not license officially.
    Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help him. This is the story of a great guy who is been affected by an unfair system.
                                                         Than you.                                                          Hector

I am a US citizen who may soon have his heart deported due to IIRAIRA. Is there a way to file a human rights violation protest to the United Nations over these 1996 laws, or has it been done? While I doubt that the UN would condemn the US over anything since we can veto, maybe it would raise some public awareness in the US among voters.

My husband has been here for 12 years. He has paid taxes for the last 6 years, and even had to pay extra $3,000 to IRS because of there screw up. My husband and I have been marride since JAN.23,2000. We have been together for five years now. We've bought our own house, we've got are own vehicles.I couldn't have gotten all this without my husband. He was the one that had all the good credit, and work for so many years. In July of 1999 my husband and his brother were arrested for drug trafficing. After my husband stayed in jail for six months the state attorney found him innocent. They wasted me and my daughters life for six months. I busted my butt working every day trying to keep our house and our belongings. While he was in jail, INS came to see him. They were one reason why he could not get bailed out. Instead of trying to sue the state of Florida for wrongful arrest, I tried being a good citizen and drop evrything.My husband and I have a 4 year old and a newborn. On Oct.24,2000 we have to go back to INS court and pray that my husband want be deported.Also when my husband and his brother was arrested, his brother had two boy's that he took care of because the mom didn't have nothing to with them.But he's in jail now for about three more years. My husband and I decided to take custody of the boys till he gets out. Now if my husband is deported I will be stuck with for children not being able to take care of them. One of the boys is mentally handicap, and needs special care. If the worst happens they may have to go to Mexico with him, and miss everything here especially school. My husband is a real good person he would help anybody if they needed it. He just wants all this stuff pass by and stay with his family. I hope in Oct. that the judge will actually listen to this story, and really think about his decision and not go by what all the laws say.
From an American in love with a Mexican

I am the wife of Sergio Gonzalez he was deported after 30 years of being a tax payer. I am a USA citizen, I had to leave the USA to be with my husband in London, On. Canada. We want to return as soon as possible to our home & family in Fla. we need advise on what we can do to change that law and speed up our return to the USA. Our attorney in Miami Charles Sibley was unable to help us farther more, because of this unfairness of this law Sept 1996. My husband has been trying to solve his immigration status before this law Sept 1996. I am a USA citizen I feel I have rights to keep my husband in my own country.

First of all I would like to say I am an American citazen.I can no longer say that proudly.Here is my story.I met My husband about 5 years ago while we were working together.From the very begining we formed a very close friendship.He was honest and told meof his illegal situation.He came here 6 years ago from mexico.He entered with no visa.To make a long story short we fell in love got married and decided it was time to come foward and fix our situation.My husband is the most loving kind man I know.His goodness has no end.He has raised a child that is not biologically his since she was 3 months old.He loves her so much and they share such a special bond.What will i tell her(she is now 3 years old)when she wakes up one day and daddy is no longer here.It is the only faher she knows.He is my husband ,my love and the part that makes me complete.How will I go on when he leaves.So Ihad tomake a decsion that i will go with him.He is due toleave in december some time.I will have to go to Mexico take my daughter and myself to a country we are not used to.They have diffrent language diffrent standards of living.Besides the fact that I have family here that will miss us Is that the kind of rights they give to an american citazen.My husband has done nothing wrong while in this country.I only wish that all our letters will get through to someone andsee how they are devestating the lives of good people.Have they forgotten that immigrants is how this country has grown to be what it is today?have they forgotten that if not for immigrants most of us would not be here today?My husband is my life and he belongs here with me and our daughter and me.That should be my right as an american citazen. thank you for listening and standing up for our rights. diane

Recently, last September 6,2000, my fiance' was deported by INS at Detroit Airport upon arrival. My fiance' has a tourist visa and has been here in the states prior to deportation for the following reasons: 1.) Training at Arthur Andersen . 2.) Tourist Visa - Tour of Michigan (w/c I supported) She obliged as prescribed by INS allowed dates of her first 2 stay. On her 3rd arrival in the states on w/c she was deported for allegedly of intent to " STAY here in the states ilegally" as per INS. This is because as the INS said that she does not have the proper visa. INS said that she should have an H4 or K1 visa. How could she have H4 if we are not married and K1 for I am not a US Citizen ? Her intent here is for us to get together and probably get married. There is no way that we will stay here legally because I have an H1-B visa and she will not become an immigrant here in case we get married. Plus we have proof that we have been law-abiding since she has been here twice legally and left the states. Up to now, I am PAINFULLY ALONE !!! My fiance' is alone in the Philippines and both our life is PAINFUL for being separated. I cannot go home for now but I wish I could get her soon. THIS IS TOO UNFAIR FOR LIFE!!!!! If there's anybody who could help me,please email me at cyberdj143@hotmail.com. Thank you.

Id like to be as breef as possible. Im an immigrant from mexico and ive been living here for five years already. I feel that the immigration laws have affected me in a very bad manner. When i came here I was "helped" by an exfriend born in mexico too. He helped me to come into the country but he betrayed me. He has a newspaper and i started working with him as a photographer. I was very enthusiast. Ive always wanted to learn as much as i could. When the opportunity was present, I started learning computer graphics in the macintosh platform. In less than 3 months I knew how to manage and troubleshoot the operating system. All I know about computers Ive learnt it by my self, without going to school. But this ex friend really took advantage of the situation, and never help me to get a working permit. He paid me $8/hr while i was working around 12 hrs per day, without paying me extra hours. I started being in charge of everything in the newspaper, that is proofreading, photocorrection, layout and even taking it to the printer! After two years, I had to notice that I was in a dead end, and I abandon the situation. Since then, Ive worked as a cook, sander in a woodshop, customer service in insurance, typesetting, etc. But after this long 5 years, my situations hasnt changer, and Im very dissapointed and depressed. Idont know what else to do. Im very sad about the "illegal" stamp that we have just for the lack of a stupid piece of paper. Before I came here, the lack of jobs and the lack of another piece of paper, that is a diploma, prevented me to get a job, and know the same in here. Even without a diploma, I consider my self a professional. I like say Im a graphic designer. Im alone, I dont have family here, though I havent been able to fix my legal situation. I tried to do it with another employer, a publishing house, and didnt work. I even have the dream of going to school to study 3d animation, but if i dont have a stable job, i dont think i will able to do it. Wright now im trying to start a business teaching english and spanish. I just star a month ago, but seems that nobody is interested. The time is passing, im getting old and Im very tired. Im just hoping that it will be an amnesty some day... I dont like the idea of getting married to get the paper, and anyway I havent meet anyone to do it. I dont want to get robbed. I hope you read this and at least drop me a line to tell what you think. Thanks.
cesar
graphicman1060@lycos.com

Hello, I would like to take a moment of your time. I am facing the same harsh penalty laws that this new law describes. My little brother, whose family and children are here, is being deported to a country where he last visited when he was 4 years old. He is being deported due to crimes he committed, and Amman Jordan is the last place he should be sent to. They look harshly and addicts and people with drug laws, and I would like suggestions from you on what to do. Maybe we can have him sent to another country for instance somewhere in Europe or Canada. The resaon for this is tough laws and penalties served to criminals. He may face jail time when transferered back to Jordan, with situations much worse than the jails here in the U.S. Basically the death sentence would have been a lighter sentence, because he would of at least died in his homeland. Not knowing the language and culture of people in Jordan, and being separated from his family and children, would be a devestating blow. If he had applied for his citizenship, everything would be ok, but now, it is too late. The separation from him and his daughter may be unbearbale to both parties, for him and for his little girl. At least send him somewhere closer to his family and closer to the cultures of the U.S. If there are any changes in the law, or anything we can do or people to contact, please give us an email or phone call as soon as possible 408 252 5611. Email is Jamal Hemeidan@aol.com. If there is anythign we can do in the meantime any research or contacts we can get in touch with, congressman people against this law please tell us as soon as possible Thank you very much Jamal Hemeidan

My husband will be released from prison in February after serving a seven year sentence. I as well as my 18 year old son and 10 year son are US citizen by birth. My husand arrived from Mexico at age 3 with a passport. We have been married 18 yrs. His crime was a burglery. When he is release he will be deported to Mexico. He has no family and can say only a few spanish words. I am very concerned for him and my family. I feel this is double jebroedy. He served his punishment and has attended all the counseling classes as well has job training that has been offered to him. Why must he be punished as well as myself and children for a punishment my husband already served? This does not make sense. What is the double punishment for every one else.

I am a US Citizen that have served 12yrs in the Marine Corps, and have lived here all my life. I met a women from Barbados and we got married in 1996. We have a case in Federal Court as I speak, where they are trying to deport my wife. There is also a article published in the N.Y. Times, by Anthony Lewis in the OP section. and in the local news paper here. I also have a website with a news article from the local paper here in Phoenix Az.

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pointe/6367/news.html.

To make a long story short, My wife Helped INS put someone away that was posing as a lawyer. They gave her an extension to stay in the country. During that time I met my wife and we got married. We also have premature twins, that was born three months early and weighted 1.4 and 1.9 oz. I file for citizenship for my wife, in Apr 1996 It took the INS over two years to even look at it. When we went to applied for another extension to wait on our papers, we was told my wife was a flight risk, and I had to put up a 5,000 bond on her. Which INS still holding to this day. They locked my wife up in front of my two kids, and did not release here until I came up with the money. When I came up with the money, they drilled me as if I was a some kind of crook. Plus they still charged me another $115.00 to file the paperwork on top of that. They kept my wife passport, (which is property of Barbardos) and took her driver lic. They told my wife to come back that Friday and let them know if she plan to take the kids with her. But what they was really planning was to lock her up. We file a suit in Federal the next day, and won a stay. My wife when to INS the next day with our lawyer, and it was a good thing that she did. They did not know about the stay, was was going to lock her up. Even though they had $5,000 of my money. My lawyer told them if they continue she would file another case in Federal court. We later received a letter from the INS lawyers stating that the 1996 law was passed because the aliens are a drain on American resources and that the INS was contesting our case. My wife has never committed a crime, and she is not on welfare. I am a computer programmer, that support my wife solely. We advised INS that our kids was under constant doctor care and it would be a hardship to breakup my family. They advised me, that didn't matter, they can get medical help in Barbaros. The Lawyers when as far as to go to my website, and state, since I said that my children are doing fine, that there is nothing wrong with them, and that my wife should be deported. I was only using a "figure of speech " to state that they are not going to die soon. There is a lot more to this story that I can put in this column. My wife and I have been married for over 4yrs, I own my home, been employed for over 10yrs, Served my country for 12yrs, and my wife do not have as mush as a traffic ticket. They claim that the 1996 immigration law make her deportable.

I can be reached at bsa@uswest.net

I need help, guidance on ways in which to have my husband freed from having to serve prison time for the crime of what is in my opinion, of wanting to be with his family that he loves very much. On 7-14-00 my husband was apprehended by immigration agents who man handled him as he was getting gas at a gas station all due to a phone call from an "anonymous" tip. They were going to leave our three year old daughter in the pick up where it was stopped and in 90 degree weather at that. If it were me, I'd be in jail for child abuse, but agents can do what they want? They later brought her to me and asked if she was my daughter and if not, they'd take her as an illegal as well. Seemed as though they would've got the picture seeing where they brought her as my workplace is a tribal court and I as well as daughter are enrolled members of a federally recognized tribe of the United States. While it's true my husband was convicted of a crime he was forced to plea bargain a few years back, he's paid his debt to society and is here to start a new life with me and the daughter we share. We were in process of obtaining an attorney to adjust or attempt to reinstate his status if possible or at very least get a waiver for him to at least be classified as visitor but this has hindered that project. I believe he deserves a second chance as he has never done anything that I'd be suspicious of I read in these same web pages of illegal who avoided deportation last year and were pardoned by the Governor of that state for pete's sake and an illegal who took another life and was pardoned. The guy in Oregon was a child rapist and when pardoned, did it again! What is justice anyway when my husband isn't anything close to that...I need help on how he can get out of this and be given that "second" chance to make things right with his life which is what we were doing...this has been extremely devastating on our daughter emotionally as well as with me and I believe his deportation would cause great hardship on our emotional well-being as well as our finances. I mean, he was gaining financial security with credit agencies once again and his credit record was improving from ten years ago. I need help!!

AMERICA: Land Of The Free... Boy what a misnomer. Hearing experiences from others that dealt with immigration here has been nothing but a big letdown filled with hopeless advice

"Looks like you're outta luck and I can't help (unless you have loads of money for me then maybe we can talk)" -lawyers
"Thanks for your application... NEXT!" - INS representatives
"It's very hard to get a working permit, and you most likely won't get yours" - A multinational employer

It looks like America's immigration concern is more occupied with legal/illegal immigrants with criminal backgrounds and not caring for the countless innocents who struggle daily hoping one day to grasp the brass ring known as the American Dream. I'm not saying immigration should shift focus from the criminal element, but rather take light to those that are here and want to come here to further better their lives and in becoming a productive citizen. Why do you think they come here in the first place... to go to Disneyland and forever live in the Magical Kingdom? Of course they do! Those that come to America are the ones willing to sacrifice many facets of their lives to live in a country filled with promise, joy and prosperity. They are the ones who willingly give their blood, sweat and tears knowing that their investment will hopefully become a fruitful one.

The laws of '97 are pretty much cut and dry laws, actually more like a "How to" guide book to get depressed. There really is no gleam of hope when one reads it as it is nothing but consequences if any of these laws are violated. These laws then subjects those promising immigrants in a "free for all" mindset, where they are more vulnerable to stray into the shady side of society. Why should legal/illegal immigrants care what is right and wrong if they know that their outcome will most likely be that they will end up going back to their country? Obviously this doesn't help but compound the problems that already exists in our overpopulated jails. Its interesting to know that the free-est (sp?) country in the world also happens to have the highest incarcerated population in the world, but that's another story, and the laws of '97 does nothing but add fuel to the fire to attract innocent immigrants to the underworld.

So what's the solution to this immigration law? I really don't know if there is a definitive solution, but enacting harsh laws won't help a lot, it just gives those immigrants in a bind to further exercise their options into a problem that America doesn't want to further get into. Sure there are many honest immigrants out there struggling daily, but it will be a matter of time before America makes it a deportable offense when an immigrant drives 35mph on a 55mph zone.

I have a friend who is an Argentine citizen serving time in a state prison. I believe she will be deported without any consideration of her circumstances. She came to this country as a 1-year-old infant and lived as a Legal Resident for 35 years. From what I understand, she will be deported to her "country of origin" despite the fact that she has no conscious awareness of that origin, doesn't speak Spanish, has no connections to anyone there, paid taxes exclusively here, went through our public schools, etc. This seems incredibly wrong to me. What is disturbing is, prior to 1996, judges could exercise discretion when applying the law, make distinctions between cases like this and less-similar cases. Today, there is no distinction between the equities she has in this country (and we in her) and someone who has been here a year or two. There's no distinction between her being unable to compare her country of origin to this country, and someone who could return to theirs and resume where they left off. She has an elderly grandmother and disabled mother who are on public assistance. She would be returning to support them, but instead will find herself destitute and homeless in a country she never knew. What complicates this story is that she was convicted of manufacturing a controlled substance. That's a serious if not detestable crime. It can be hard to have sympathy compared to simple possession. It's easy to confuse complaints regarding one-size-fits-all deportation rules with being "soft on crime." However, if two people plead guilty of the same crime, willfully serve their time, take advantage of all the programs to better themselves, and maintain perfect records in prison, why would one need additional punishment in order to be "tough on crime" while the other need no additional punishment? Obviously the topic of non-discretionary deportation rules has very little to do with the underlying crime that makes an alien deportable. The issue is whether all deportable aliens are the same, if they have the same equities, we have the same responsibilities to them, etc. This is not an unusual position to take since 1) it's what we did 4-5 years ago, and 2) we still do it for deportable crimes which are not defined as "aggravated felonies." It seems unbelievable to me that this country would deport people without judicial discretion. I don't see how we can deport someone to a country they don't know anything about, due to them having spent the first year of their life there. I don't see how that fact can be noticeable, but everything else about their situation and what has been an entirely American life can't be noticeable. I don't see how it can be even remotely just to require that we view her as entirely the same as someone who came here as an adult and spent two years. Someone who knew what they were leaving, what the opportunities were here, and actively chose a course of action leading to deportation.
It seems to me that an argument could exist that when we admit young children (and more so infants), we implicitly enter into a relationship with that person knowing full well at the time of admission "country of origin" is absurd in their case. I don't see how we can admit such a person, let them reside 35 years, go to public schools, be assimilated, pay taxes, and then turn around and say we are prohibited from considering any differences between this person and anyone else. It seems like our own actions imply a commitment which doesn't exist in other, adult cases.It could be said that such people should have sought naturalization. I agree. I wish she would have. However, if not seeking naturalization is a negative and reduces everything said above about this case, then it seems like we should require naturalization or terminate green cards. It still gets back to us entering into a relationship with an infant, and letting it proceed for 35 years without any requirements. It would seem odd to now say she should have done something when we didn't require anything. If we were a party to a contract involving a minor (infant no less), and we let that contract continue for 35 years, I don't see how we can say the other party of the contract was expected to do something and this absolves us of the implications of our involvement, admittance, and public schooling, accepting taxes, etc. At a very minimum it seems very reasonable that a judge should (as they always did) have discretion to apply justice rather than treat everything the same. I just learned how this works. I am stunned. Her 80-year-old grandmother has a bad heart and is barely surviving. She believes her granddaughter will bail out of deportation hearings and have three years to demonstrate she has put her life together. She doesn't know how much worse and unjust (if not cruel) this is. I fear it will be more than she can bear. The mother can't survive alone and will undoubtedly be institutionalized if the worst happens. What is especially stunning is that the changes to the law were part of the 104th "Republican Revolution" Congress. That was the group which was supposed to implement smaller, fairer and smarter government. As a definition of smaller or fairer government, the above story leaves something to be desired.

A picture of me visiting the person in prison can be seen at http://www.primenet.com/~mfuller/

Mark Fuller

After living in the U:S for over 40 years , I have been educated and raised a family. I had the misfortune of running agaist the law in which my case was referred to Federal court. Being a law abiding citizen allof my life I was forced to make a deal with the government in which <I agreed to plead guilty of purchasing Sudafed for illegal intentions. I was guaranteed by the attorney I hired that if I plead guilty I would probably only get probation and a fine, I was also told that the maximum sentence could be 10 years. Well , I got ten years and on top of that I will get deported . I feel thatit is unfair for the Federal government District courts not to advice defendants of the collateral punishment that they will be getting if they choose tpo plead guilty. both my attorney and the Judge failed to inform me , the judge stated that he did´t have to inform me. I feel that if most of the states can warn you about deportation, and make it mandatory why can the federal government do the same , because this is totally going to destroy me and my family.

I feel that that when the collateral punishment is worse than the punishment the defendant should be admonished prior to pleading guilty.

My name is Carolina and I am also affected by the 1996 law,but ins didn't have to deport my son.Marcelo is my son name,we went to Chile in 1997 because my mother was terminally ill,I stayed overthere for 3 months .My son decided to stay longer tobe with his grand mother more time she was de one that help me to raise him up,and he love her alot.When my mother passed away my son had a break down,since he has a mental illness (squizophrenia) and could not arrange his return back to USA.I could not travel to assist him right away.I travel again to Chile in June,1999.When we went to the United States Consulate in Chile for a re-entry visa,we did all the paper work asked for,and pay also,after 5 months the visa was denied on the grounds that he has a felony and for his mental illness.WE came to USA in 1988, my son was 12 years old.As you can imagin this have very painful for me,but I am not giving up,so far I have written to my state representatives,but they are not interested in help,I also wrote to the president with not answer yet,if I have one.I want to tell you that every time that I recive a negative answer I feel more strengt to continue doing things that would help my to get my son back home again,where he belongs.I am also a United States Citizen,and I believe that there is somebody in some place that can help only we have to find who that person is.I also beliefe that union is important,people is power when work together.I do not speak or write a good English but this is not going to stop me.I do not want to cry anymore,I do not want to wait years and years in silent.My son life is in danger and something can happens to him.I WANT ACTION. My E-MAIL is C_HORMAZABAL@HOTMAIL.COM Thanks for give me the chance to tell my story Carolina.

Hello,

I am a US citizen and i am married to a Mexican national. We were married only 3 months when he was arrested. he turned himself in. The crime was committed in 1997. he was convicted of conspiracy this year and is serving a 19 month sentence. i recently heard somewhere about a law that Janet Reno approved regarding deportation of felons. does any one know anything about this law? My husband has been in this country since the age of 3. he went to school here and attended college. does any one know if this will help him? I have two children from a previous marraige who consider him their father.

You can e-mail me at onebluetoe@yahoo.net

Please contact your congressman/woman and ask them to support:

BILL HR 3272 BY NEW YORK BOB FILNER

BILL HR 1485 BY MASSACHUSSETS BARNEY FRANK

Please call the Senate Immigration Committee at 202-224 9102 and ask to please support the above bills.
It is an election year , so there is practically no chance for any of this to be even looked at, but we need to let the representatives know that we exist , and that we are in a lot of pain.
These bills do not sponsor drug trafficking or violence, they bring back the notion of what is fair and take away the inhumane aspect of the IIRIA .

tHANKS AND GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

I AM AN AMERICAN CITIZEN WHO WONDERS HOW WE WHO FIGHT AGAINST WORDWIDE INJUSTICES ALLOW INJUSTICE IN OUR OWN COUNTRY AGAINST IMMIGRANT. WHERE ARE THE CIVIL RIGHTS GROUPS WHEN IT COMES TO ALLOWING FAMILIES TO BE SEPARATED FOR YEARS .

July 22, 2000
I am writing in regards to my Husband who entered the United States at the tender age of two. He has been a permenent lawful resident for 28
years. He was born in the Bahamas. The United States is the only country he knows. He has never left this country since he entered. He went tt day care, grammar school, high school, and graduated college in this country. While in college, he was involved in bad checks scandal which happened in 1994. He was convicted in 1997 for the crime of conspiracy to committ bank fraud and given three years probation. He never served any time in jail at all. The amount he was charged with was $34,000 which in INS law considered him an aggravated felon. The question most commonly asked is why didn't he ever get citizenship? Well if this the only country you know and you are not taught any better then you too would consider yourself to be a U.S. citizen if you were raised in this country all your natural life. Well, while serving one year of Probation he was arrested by INS and that was June 16,1999 where he remains today. We have tried everything but it seems everything has failed. The crime was in 1994 and INS is going back retroactive which is totally wroing in the first place. This aggravated felon crap is a total scam by the Government. I am a working class U.S. citizen who is tierd of the Government in which I live hurting families and destroying children lives. It is a sad day in America. My Husband deserves a second chance. He is being punished double and it is not fair. he has been ordered deported to a country he has no family and has no knowledge of. It is a sad day in America!!! Please help us this has gone on to long. We have been ripped off by attorneys. We are loosing every thing we worked so hard for. It is so sad. Our children are suffering without thier father. He qualifies for 212(c) relief if it is such thing, If any one has any News on any to laws or reports please email me at forbjac34@JUNO.com

We need to thank the immigration lawyers as well as all the organizations and individuals that are trying to help us with this nightmare.
If you are a us citizen, please call your congressperson and ask them to support the immigration bill:
HR 3272 BY Bob Filner of New York.
Call the immigration subcomittee and ask them to pass HR 3272. Their number is 202-224-6098.
Fax the immigration subcomitte and ask them to pass HR 3272. Their fax number is 202-228-4506.
Call the offices of Senator Dianne Feinstein and Senator Abraham , they are very powerful voices of the immigration commitee. Ask them to support HR 3272 by Filner.
Thanks.

My husband was deported under the IIRAIRA in September 1998 after being apprehended for a parole violation stemming from the 1980's. He was an immigrant to this country as a 15-year-old in 1981. His family, from the Tonga Islands, choose Inglewood, Ca. as their new home. Comming from a country of under 100,000 people and the only pacific island group never colonized by the europeans to this vast country of 260 + million people had to be overwhelming to say the least. Being a teenager and not speaking the language, as well as living in the heart of gang territory in L.A. was a frustrating and confusing introduction to this complicated, racist society. In the middle eighties he was caught up in the gang lifestyle, intoxicated by the money, drugs, and whatever other "glamerous" attributes it held for him. He had come in and out of prison three times by 1989 for armed robbery and assault. I met him in 1991 when he had chosen to skip out of his parole and come to Oregon, as he felt that in order to serve out his parole and stay in California meant he was to stay in the same environment that he was getting into the trouble he was in in the first place, and to stay in that environment meant that he would either 1) be back in prison in no time flat, or 2)be killed as a result of the lifestyle. He ostensibly made a wise move by common sense, however, because of the rigidity (to be polite) of the parole system, he was in violation. Period. When I met him I recognized him for who he was: a troubled person that I happened to fall in love with who had the potential to be put back on track. I recognized that this was no small task, but I was willing to take him on. We had a daughter in 1992, and another in 1993. We were married in February of 1996, which did not affect his status because he had been greencarded since 1981. In November of 1997 I had an incident with him in which he was drunk and slapped me once. The police were called and he was arrested for the "domestic assault", and having a tiny amount of marijuana. He was taken to the inverness jail in Portland, then sent in December of 1997 back to California to serve out the parole violation. At this time he simply "blipped" off the radar screen, as the violation sentence was being carried out under an assumed name from the original violation that I had no knowledge of. The next three months were spent looking for my husband, now completely "lost" in the correctional system. I did not find him until late February or early March, despite the fact that he had informed the officials that he was married and the whereabouts of his wife and children. I was working on a comprehensive plan of "rehabilitation" with the D.A. and defense attorneys in our case, and my husband had agreed to it. My husband was due for release in July. I had lied to my girls this entire time about where Daddy was because I did NOT want them to know that he was in prison. In July we prepared for him to have his parole transferred back to Oregon, but I suspect that because of a letter that I had written to the California Men's colony expressing my frustration with the system not regarding the family's needs in any way, that 1) they refused to release my husband to parole back to Oregon so he could get treatment for his current issues, and 2) referred him straight to the INS. INS apprehended him from the CMC on his July release date and transferred him to the San Pedro facility, with a hearing scheduled for August 18th. However, he was not informed of the hearing until only a day or two before it actually occured, and as I was still reeling from the original incident that kicked this whole series of events into motion,I was comming out of a situation of being on public assistance, having no money, and was severely depressed. I wanted to advocate for my husband in the immigration hearing, but there was no way I could have appeared as it was in Los Angeles and I had no way to travel. Immigration NEVER CONTACTED ME to inform me of my husband's status (though they had my name and address-he supplied it), never gave me the opportunity to speak on his behalf, to state that because I had been unwell he was the primary wage earner at the time, that we needed him with us, despite our problems (do we not all have our problems?!). He was escorted back to the Islands on September 6, 1998. I was now faced with a choice. Go to Tonga (a third world country-and certainly no democracy!) or divorce him, lose all the personal work we had accomplished, lose the father of my children, lose and important source of domestic support. I sold everything that I owned and the girls and I moved to Tonga in January 1999. We have just returned on June 22, 2000. I won't say that it was all horrible, and there were many great experiences, but it was overall the most traumatic experience in my life. I gambled and lost everything that I had worked for to try to keep my marriage together because it was and is the right thing to do. We returned because the educational system in that country is shameful, the national hospital is - I can't even come up with words to describe it - health care is non-existent and the royal family (yes, it is the only remaining feudal kingdom in the world) are crooks and thieves who take the utmost advantage of the institutionalized ignorance that they so actively promote in their country. I now sit here writing this on my mother's computer, as I have no place to live, no car, no money, Public assistance is stalling me (where else do you start from with zero?!). There are no words to describe my anger, my bitterness, my hurt. Today I read on one of the websites that because my husband was put out under "aggravated felony" he will probably not be able to re-enter until 2018, 20 years after his deportation. He can not live here and because of the health and education we cannot live there. I have learned that indeed there is such a thing as the grace of God only because we are living by it and the kindnesses of others at this very moment. I have no computer, no EMAIL (because after all, I have at this point nothing), but I beg at this point that my share of grace continues and there are interested and involved people out there who can keep me informed of any and all issues about the deportation of long time permanent residents. ABOVE ALL WE NEED A CLASS-ACTION CIVIL LAW SUIT AGAINST THE U.S. GOVERNMENT FOR CONSTITUTIONAL VIOLATIONS ON THE PART OF OURSELVES, OUR CHILDREN, AND THE IMMIGRANTS THAT HAVE BEEN WRONGED THROUGH THESE FASCIST LAWS. MY NAME AND C/O ADDRESS IS BELOW. PLEASE KEEP ME INFORMED!!!! MY HEART GOES OUT TO ALL OF YOU WHO ARE IN MY POSITION, COMMING OUT OF IT, OR ARE CONSIDERING LEAVING THIS COUNTRY. MY CONGRESSMAN DID NOT LISTEN, THE PAROLE SYSTEM DID NOT LISTEN, THE INS CERTAINLY DID NOT LISTEN. WE NEED TO MAKE AMERICA LISTEN, BEFORE THE SWASTIKA TAKES THE PLACE OF THE EAGLE AS OUR NATIONAL SYMBOL. I AM NOT AFRAID TO MAKE MYSELF KNOWN ON THE SIDE OF WHAT IS RIGHT. PLEASE WRITE ME.

LYNDA K. NGAUE
C/O 5404 NE 121st AVE.#85
Vancouver, Wa 98682

I am a US citizen married to a Mexican. He is in this country five years and was able to be here because he was granted political asylum by a US
Court. That was in May, 1997, but to date he still doesn't have his papers for permanent residency and there is no telling how much longer he'll have to wait. The lawyers initially said after he was granted asylum he could be on a "fast track" to full citizenship within five years, but at this rate it will be at least a decade before he is naturalized. The government is excruciatingly slow on these matters. All people who have the legal right to be in this country should have their cases expedited.

By the way, I would like to respond to the handful of people in this forum who are pleading for the release of relatives who were convicted of drug smuggling or other crimes. The US does not want them, period! Nor should law-abiding citizens be forced to have them around. I am sorry that your relatives are where they are, but troublemakers are neither wanted nor needed here. There are already far too many US citizens who are unproductive and waste far too much of the federal government's money just trying to keep them away from the rest of us. We have the right to demand they be safely locked away, and that alien criminals be deported. They have no legal right to endanger others' lives.

One person wrote, "If (my relative) had known how harsh the penalties were, he never would have done it." In other words, if the penalties were lighter, then it would have been okay for him to do it? Instead of spending time pleading to lighten the criminals' sentences, why not go and comfort your relatives' victims? They are the ones who deserve your pity, not your relative.

There is no question that the US needs immigration reform. There is a great need for hard-working, law-abiding people in this country and their presence should be welcomed and encouraged. As for the rest, we need stiffer laws and enforcement to make sure they leave, stay away, and never darken our borders again.

The Immigration and Naturalization Service pending review of his appeal to overturn a deportation ruling are detaining my brother. My brother is a Ghanaian citizen who came to this country when he was 17 years old. He is now 31 years old and has been married to an American citizen since 1994. He has lived in Montgomery County, Maryland for the past 14 years. He is very hardworking, owns a house, a car and pays taxes regularly. He has never had any trouble with the law. In essence my brother has been a model citizen except for the fact that he was never granted a Green Card (he had a Work Permit). His application for a Green Card was denied and was sent a deportation letter about a week ago. He was never given the opportunity to voluntarily depart the country. He put in a motion to appeal, went to the deportation office yesterday (with a copy of the motion) and was detained. The Detention and Deportation department of the INS told us that he would remain in custody till the Litigation department (which could take over 6 months) reviewed the motion. Since my brother is not a criminal and has led an exemplary life, we would like to petition the INS to allow him out on bound pending review of the motion. I'll therefore need advice on how to go about it and if there's anything you can do to help me. Thank you very much in advance for your support. Anyone person with advice can also contact me at elsabrobbey@aol.com

I am the spouse of deported immigrant . My husband was deported back to Mexico in May of 1999. He was originally convicted of delivery of controlled substance in 1993, he was sentenced to 10 years probation of which he only served 5, due to his exceptional behavior and steady employment. In 1996, he was picked up by U.S. Border Patrol after checking in with his probation officer, and was sent to an immigration camp in El Paso, Tx , where he spent two weeks, more time than he spent in jail (he spent only one night in the local jail). He was finally released on a $5000.00 bond and spent the next few months going back and forth to hearings. In February of 1997, my husband was ordered deported back to Mexico, but our lawyer filed an appeal, which was denied and we received notice of this denial in December 1998. We were devastated. We have three children and we concerned as to how they would take the news. When we told them, our daughter, who is the oldest, took the news very hard. She could not understand why the country of her birth, whom she loved, did not want her father to be with her. My son was only 6 at that time did not really understand but he cried knowing that things would not be the same. Our youngest child had just turned 3 and did not understand what was going on. We were living on the hope that the deportation letter would not arrive too soon, but it finally did the first week of May 1999.
My husband turned himself in to immigration authorities on May 10, 1999. He cannot return at anytime because of his drug conviction. My husband has been in Mexico for one year now. My children and I have moved from our home to a small town on the Texas/Mexico border in order to have somewhat of a normal marriage and family. I went from being the supplemental income of our marriage , to being the sole provider. My husband works in Mexico, but he barely earns enough to support himself. As a citizen of the United States, I feel betrayed by our lawmakers and feel that my husbands rights as a human being did not matter.
He was stereotyped as a aggrevated felon, without being given a second chance to prove that he has reformed. When this law was put into effect, it was to punish the person that comitted the crime, but what it has turned into is a punishment for the whole family.

I am an American Citizen, I am married to a Panamanian national and we have four children. I was enlisted in the US Air Force and stationed in Panama. Their I meet my wife fell in love and was married. My wife was convicted of a crime in the Panamanian court system (aiding in the soliciting of a controlled substance), on the word of an US informant. This informant never appeared in court and the case was extended over and over while awaiting his appearance. She entered the Carcel de Mujers in March of 1996, with the help of her family I was able to continue working, and provide for her and my children. In June of 1996, I received orders to change my duty station I left Panama with my four children one son (7 yrs) and three daughters (6,4 and 3 yrs old). I was not allowed to remain in Panama due to the military draw down of troops. My children have gone thru hell, having seen their mom handcuffed and taken to jail, having to visit their mother in prison, and then facing a sentence of solitude, having no mother available to help raise them. I had to seek an early discharge from the military due to financial hardship, I work as a Network Administrator, and the pay I received from the US Air Force was not sufficient to support my family in the states, and provide for my wife who was still incarcerated in the Panamanian women’s prison. I spoke with a lawyer and various embassy officials and was told that the charges against her would not affect her immigrating to the states. She was released in December of 1997 and I flew to Panama to help my wife get her papers together for her trip to America. We received word from the embassy that her visa application was denied due to the type of crime she was convicted of and the time spent in prison. We were crushed, and our dream of reuniting our family was smothered in bureaucracy. 2000 came and after writing countless letters and email there seems to be no relief in site. I left the military in July of 1999 and now work as and Information Systems Consultant, the provides a small measure of comfort, but having to maintain two households (one in US, one in Panama) is a constant strain financially. I should be saving to buy a house, or putting money away for my kids to go to college, instead I strive to ensure my wife has a place to live and decent medical care. (My insurance does not provide care in Panama). The effect on my children is devastating, the have periods of depression and struggle in school. They did not understand the why their mother is not with us, and as they grow older I explain to them why, and what can be done. My youngest daughter has not seen here mother for half of her life. Being a single parent puts a strain on me and some days I feel as though my head is going to explode. I save money to get airfare to take my kids to see their mother, but that goal is still far away. Stress is taking a toll on all of us. I am now looking for work in Central or South America, if the only way to reunite my family is to leave the US, then so be it. Having read the letters that proceed mine, I am sadden be the pain and suffering felt by many who have no voice in government. When I approached my congressman to see if he would sponsor a bill to allow my wife entry, I was told that he could not be seen as endorsing drug trafficking. He would not be endorsing drug trafficking, he would be endorsing family unity, something all of the folks in Washington talk about, but do so little. Someday my family will be reunited, lets pray that it is and occasion of happiness and joy.

Gregorio

My husband, A British Citizen was brought to the U.S. by a well known Silicon Valley Firm thirteen years ago to act as their Director of International Business Development/Marketing/Sales. July 1997, we married and left on an extended European Honeymoon. Upon on re-entry into the U.S. in September of 1997, my husband was detained by the INS due to IIRAIRA. His first court date was not until June of 1999. His final hearing will be August 11, 2000 and the outocme does not look promising according to our attorney Frank Sprouls of san Francisco. The good news is his record was expunged by a Municipal Court Judge truly understood our hardship. However, this may not be good enough for the INS Judge on 11 August. Hardship? Where do I begin? Firstly, the key phrase here is INTERNATIONAL......if you are under a deportation order, you can not perform your job as outlined. This was my husband's case. At first the company was understanding, but they soon had to offer him a separation package. This resulted in six months of unemployment and the search was not fruitful as his CV/resume clearly demonstrated his expertise was in the INTERNATIONAL marketing. He was forced to accept a position in which he performed 20 years ago. Quite a blow to one's self esteem. This severely impacted our finacial status as his earnings were lowered. This snow-balled and we were forced to leave our homw in Saratoga and obtain a modest apartment, which severely impacted his job performance as he is supposed to maintain a home office in the silicon valley for an east coast firm. To add insult to injury, our landlord has decided to ride the wave of real estate increased value. She gave us notice....rent will be $4,200 with an option to buy as a co-op/condo or move. Moving is a problem in June/July as families move during school vacation and housing is at a premium to begin with. We must move on 15 July and still have not found a place to live. My husband will definitely lose his job as he must maintain a regional office. One can not do this out of a hotel room. Besides, the firm agreed to the first move in January of 2000, but they will not absorb the expense of a second move on 15 July. They have invested a great deal in advertising, websites, business stationery, ISDN/DSL, phone, fax, radio modem lines, etc. The expense is astronomical. Medically, the stress of this LIMBO has taken the most severe and inhumane toll on my husband, myself and our families. My husband's family resides in England. His father became terminally ill and died and he was not allowed out of the U.S. to visit and/or attend the funeral. His 72-year old Mother was brutally assaulted in broad daylight as she strolled on the beach. He was not allowed to travel to her side. His only brother married in England, we did not attend the wedding. Leaving the U.S. would result in self-deportation,further jeopardizing my husband's career and our financial status. Then there is the other side of the coin. As an American Citizen who served her country honorably in the U.S. Military, I must now apply for my Immigration to England and leave my family. I am an only child with parents who are 74 and 70.
I could go on and on with the other hardships, but I believe the point has been made. I have written to the BBC and various U.S. Networks, radio and tv talk show hosts, magazines, newspapers, govt. officials, congressman, INS judges, anyone and everyone remotely involved. We are so distraught, depressed and hopeless. Many alternatives cross our minds. Hey...maybe we should build a raft and set sail in San Francisco Bay????Maybe the INS, Janet Reno and the media would cover that event? Or perhaps I can just hurl my U.S. passport at the INS....hey, what could they do...DEPORT ME TOO?

(Response July 31, 2000 To the lady who posted the letter on July 7, with a spouse of british citizenship, please leave an email address or phone number , I live in santa clara, and I would be glad to help. thanks. )

I am an American Citizen, but my parents are from Mexico. They came here to make a better living for their selves about 25 years ago. A few years ago my mother was charged with transporting two pounds of marijuana into the United States which was not true, she was charged with a crime she did not commit, but still has to pay the price for it. I feel as if I to committed a crime because I have lost my mother, she was deported back to Mexico. There isn't a day that goes by that I am not scared. I live a life with fear, fear because I worry that I will not see my mother again. My mother is being punish for something she did not do, but because of her race no one seems to care. No one cares that my sister and I have to live a life without the presents of our mother. It's hard not being able to see my mom or her spending time with our children. My mother has no family or means of support in Mexico and is unable to buy her medication for her high blood pressure. !
I do not understand how people can be so cold and touch their hearts. My mother has always been a hard working woman who only wanted to live a better life. This has caused my family a lot of pain and tears. No one who how it feels to have the most percious thing in life taken away from you. There is no words to explain the pain I feel inside. I have had to seek couseling for this as well as take medication for my depression. As an American I grow up believing that everyone was equal and had the same opportunities, but as I grow older I learned that it was true. I wish things could be different,maybe one day everyone will be treated fairly. Please contact me if you wish, I hope that there may be something you can help me with or I can help you with. Corina Minjarez c_minjarez@hotmail.com

To all concerned,

Let all unite now! I'm trying to organize an "e-mail Congress day" in which all persons affected by these stupid laws will send and email and or letter to Congress and the President asking for these laws to be changed. They cannot ignore thousands of letters coming in all at once. Hopefully they will pay attention. If anyone is interested please write me at:

orin_walters@hotmail.com

Together we can overcome!! Let's take action now!

Hi

My name is Karla and I just wanna tell all of you my storie and how this law has changed my life and it seems to me that is gonna be like this forever, because are been 4 year since this law was aproveed and nothing nobody have done nothing, everybody complain but still nothing, or there is some changes that I don´t know´please please I would like to hear, I gonna make my long storie a short storie, I have a beautifull babygril,10 months old, she is U.S Citizen, her dad is or was I don´t know how I should said a Legal resident for 10 years,When he was in high school He had a Problem he had a fight and he was put on probations,a that time he plead guilt, that was what the lawyer told so he wouldn´t go to do time in prison he never thougt that have done a thing like that would make him deportable " some day ", 15 months ago he had a accident and he didn´t have insurense at the time was his fault so. they took him to jail,and since then Everthing has been a Nightmere, because you know a inmigration official went to see him a told him under this law he would be deportable... for what he have done time ago.., I was in mexico, We had plans for a life toghedar but I´not Legal for staying in Mexico,I only have visa, all my pregnacy I was alone without his support, I´m a professional in my contry, and I work for a very important company in mexico,(I meet him when I went there for learn English) When I was off of work because my maternity I when to see him, and was when my baby was born..so I came back to my country to back to work,a month later when my baby was ready for her first check up I was trying to take her back and try to show her to his fahter that was in a jail,I was informed for one border agent that I couldn´t take the baby back to where she was born, because the hospital bill wasn´t totally paid yet( my mother in law is paying and she is legal resident) and I tried to explain the situation but they didn´t care, i explined that she needed her innmunize shot but they said that they don´t care, and came back util the bill be totally paid, They told me and a very humilliating way that was happening me because I did a porpuse let my baby born in the US because I didn´t have insurense in my country of course he was wrong I can prove that isn´t true I can have medical assistance because my work in my country, even if could be true her dad already paid his taxes por more the 10 year but they said that they don´t care, So far my husband don´t know his baby and my baby couldn´t have his medical check up, I was going to paid for that,but I don´t know very much about this law or the american laws, but why the children have to pay this stupid law, I wanna ask the american congress how they would feel if some law dont´t let them see his own childs because something that they did in the past, because no body here is perfect, because perfect only one is and all us Know who us:JESUS, and would like to ask them too if all the us citizen never ever fhigt when they were young, or if they never used drugs when they were young, if they never did mistakes when they were young... I´m not saying that is right but it happen just because they are human beans like everybody and only just for that can make mistakes, so please don´t try to blame for all what is happening in the US the inmigrant people I´m asking you if the history don´t show us anything or what, because what they are doing is exactly what Hitler did in the past, so please wake up!!, this is not right, no just because happen to me, today is this what is next... the gas´s cameras or what,also how come are they going to punish you twice and for something that you didn´t know was wrong at the point to take you out of the place where you have been lived the half or you life and where all you family are, how come are they gonna take you to you " homeland " where you don´t know anybody or a place where you don´t even speak the lenguaje anymore!!!, If you are doing something that could help me please let me know, I will aprecciete that, and I´m so glad that I found this page, but I think is time to stop complain and start to do something now, God bless all those people that are doing something if they are doing and I don´t know.
Thank you for this page...

To: All that are being affected by the new immigration law IIRAIRA, My name is Kathryn Gorman and my family and I are being deeply affected by this law. The only way that we can make changes to this law is for all of us affected by this Un-American law, to band together and express our disgust and opposition towards this New Immigration Law IIRAIRA of 1996. I am a representative of an organization named CIEJ. Citizens and Immigrants for Equal Justice. We are comprised of families and friends of victims of this law. Large numbers are powerful. We need to band together and become one voice. We must raise awareness of this injustice happening in this country. Many American people are unaware that this law even exists!! I know that you are probably ver angry about how this law has affected many families in this country, even your own. Take that anger and put all that energy to help fight against this law that is unjust and unconstitutional. We can make a difference if we unite and stand together. If you are being affected in any way by this law, come out of the wood work and please contact me at kathgorman1@aol.com.

Let's restore the freedom in this country.........together!!

With warmest regards,
Kathryn Gorman
CIEJ

My husband and I are very much in love. I honestly do not know what I would do without him. Unfortunately, my husband entered the United States in 1995 without a visa. I knew this when we got married in December of 1999 after a two-year courtship. I also was familiar with the 1996 change to immigration law requiring immigrants without a visa to leave the country for up to ten years before they can receive an immigrant visa. Not knowing what our future held, but having faith in God, our love, and in justice, we got married. Now, if my husband is forced to leave the U.S., I am forced to leave. I am forced to leave because I made a vow when I we were married. I am forced to leave because according to my religion, I will stay by my husband’s side, and I am forced to leave this country even though I am a law-abiding, US citizen. We are interested in hearing from anyone who is in a similar situation. Please email me at tmclaurin@hotmail.com

Thanks.

We have just recently found out from personal experience how devastating the IIRAIRA law is. Like most Americans we sit back and expect our elected officials to make laws that reflect our moral and honest opinions but with this one they have ruined the lives of some speecial people. Our daughter, Jane Elizabeth Frick met and fell in love with a young Mexican man, Jose Jesus Ayala Morales. Janie left her job of 16 years as an Interior Designer here in Chattanooga, TN. with the promise that it would be hers when she returned. Janie and Jesus married April 23,1999. When they began the legal process to come to the US they found that because he had claimed to be an American citizen when trying to come here that he can NEVER come here. All their dreams have been dashed...as well as ours. Please advise us on what we can do to help this terrible wrong. We have contacted our Senator and Congressmen.
Thank you,
Jerry and Sue Frick

The best way to tackle this problem is to call OR write to the congrssmen from your district to act on the following BILLS. If action is taken on those two the rest will be HISTORY
I have been living here for the past seventeen year, for a little mistake I made years ago I now live under siege of fear for the past five years and I spent a lot of of money on the minor case and it never ends. Nowadays I pray everyday like I never prayed before for the senseless law to be changed

Copy and paste the following BILLS and send it your US Representative to act on the issue before it is too late.

HR.1485 by FRANK, BARNEY (D-MA) -- Rights for Certain Long-Term Permanent Resident Aliens, Permission
A bill to permit certain long-term permanent resident aliens to seek cancellation of removal or waiver of inadmissibility under the Immigration and Nationality Act, and for other purposes.
Cosponsors: Currently 77

S.173 by MOYNIHAN (D-NY) -- Immigration and Nationality Act, Amendment
A bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to revise amendments made by the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Resposibility Act.

Thank you to the person who posted their story on April 23rd mentioning our organization CIEJ. I do want to clearify that we are Citizens & Immigrants for Equal Justice, a grassroots coalition of American/Legal resident families who are in deportation proceedings because of the 1996 acts, AEDPA, and IIRIRA. By standing together, we hope to make our voices heard, and save our families. Check out our website at www.ciej.org. for more information. I understand what everyone is going through. My husband, a legal permanent resident for 43 years won a 212(c)waiver hearing in 1993, only to have it taken away from us because it was still pending in appeal by the INS 3 years later when the Attorney General ruled that the AEDPA would be applied retroactively. We are still fighting our case, but no matter how much of a toll it takes upon us, financially, emotionally, and physically, we will not give up. This is our home. My husband paid for his mistake (and didn't hurt anyone when he made it), and has resumed a law-abiding life. He doesn't deserve to be deported, nor do I deserve to be betrayed by my government.

My brother-in-law got a residency interview in January of 1999 at the U.S. Consulate in Guatemala. At that time they saw that he had been deported from the U.S. for being an illegal and he had to seek a pardon from the U.S. He did. The pardon cost around $400.00. The Consulate kept putting him off on a decision about his elibigility. He is still waiting in Guatemala for his papers, a year and nearly six months after his initial interview. I have contacted our state representative, Heather Wilson, and her office has contacted the U.S. Consulate numerous times, but still no word. How hard is it for them to make a deciscion. I think that the whole process is backwards and needs to be redone. The amount of money that the family has spend trying to get this brother-in-law to the U.S. is now around $1,000.00. There has to be a better way. At the time of his interview, his brothers here in the U.S. had a job waiting for him. Needless to say, the job is no longer waiting since we have no idea if, or when he will be able to come here. This is so frustrating and has really made me bitter toward the U.S. government.

I have personally been affected by the 1996 immigration Law. I have been separated from my beloved husband for 12 months now due to this law. In fact, my husband has an appeal to reopen his case before the Board of Immigration Appeals which is still pending. However, today 5/31/2000, at approximately 4:30a.m., my husband called my for BFDF, New York where he is detained to tell me that he was afraid that by tonight or tomorrow, INS will be deporting him. I do not see how this can happen when he has a case pending before the courts. I am glad to know I am not alone in this tragedy. I need someone to talk to. Please someone talk to me. I am afraid, anger, tired, and I want something done about this. Change comes in numbers and I am ready and prepared to act. My family, just like other families, is torn apart due to this harse law.

Thank you to the person that posted the message on April 25, 2000, that mentions CIEJ. I would like to clairfy just one thing. We are Citizens & Immigrants for Equal Justice (CIEJ), not Committee for Justice Immigrants. We are a grassroots coalition of American/Legal resident families who have been put into deportation proceedings because of the 1996 Immigration laws. If you or your family or friends have found yourselves in the same situation or you're a concerned citizen who would like more information please don't hesitate to contact us. Our email address is CIEJTX@aol.com.
Thank you.

My best friend of 20 years fell in love with a wonderful guy while teaching an English class at our local church. He was in the US illegally and when they decided to get married he returned to Mexico so that they would have a chance to live in the US at some time in the future. She moved there also and they have been happily married for 2 years. During this time she cannot work or even communicate with most people where she lives because of the language barrier. They have been trying to get him a visa to come and live in the US. After almost 2 years of trying they have now been told that they will never be able to live in the US because of this law. The reason? He lied one time and said he was a US citizen when he tried to cross the border. We can put rapists, killers, etc.. on the street because our jails are overcrowded, we will let children starve to death in our own country, etc... But we won't let one of our own citizens bring her husband back to live in her country because he told a lie? Once? It makes you wonder what we stand for - life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness? I don't think so anymore. It seems to me that our decision-makers have lost their perspective and forgotten why this country was founded in the first place.

My name is Maria and I moved to the US from England nearly 25 years ago. I am legal resident alien with a greencard. The last time I returned from a short trip abroad I was apprehended at JFK and my passport and green-card were taken from me. I have an order-to-appear on the 22nd June. At that time I will probably (if I am to believe the attorneys from whom I have sought advice) be thrown into a detention-center and deported. All this because I had the mis-fortune of being arrested 18 years ago for possession of a tiny amount of cocaine and one qualude. I was given 18 months probation and 100 hours community service which I deligently completed. Adjudication of guilt was deferred. Apparently this means nothing and now I will be punished twice over. Since my probation (in Florida) I have since moved to New York where I have worked as a nanny to many famous and high-profile people, always paying my taxes and keeping out of trouble. Recently I decided to go back to University for a degree in Social Work. What does the INS expect to gain by disrupting peoples lives in this way?

The whole thing makes me so angry I would like to get involved in trying to make more people aware of what is going on. Even if it is too late to save myself perhaps my experience will help in getting the law changed.

I, U.S. Citizen, have no words that could possibly describe the fear I am feeling in my heart. On November 7, 1996, only a month and a week after the IIRAIRA law was passed, my brother was arressted and incarcerated for for trafficking and possession with intent to deliver of a non-narcotic substance (5-50g). He was sentenced to 3 years mandatory, 1 year TIS. He has completed his sentence on good time and was released on May 3, 2000 to INS officials. He is currently being detained for deportation. I am writing this to advise you that my brother may be deported to Colombia, S.A. He has been raised in the U.S.A. as of the age 6. His separation from this country and his family will cause hardship on us all. He and I had a very traditional sibling relationship. He was my mentor, my advisor, a great supporter and a much-needed protector. As we both grew, our relationship has grown stronger. My brother is a very responsible, honest and dedicated person. His educational records will show that he is very intelligent and strong-minded. His character is sensitive, yet sensible. He is a very reliable and trustworthy person. He is a person with a family who relies on him for support and family stability. He is an only son, an only brother, and an only uncle. He has a very special relationship with our mother. To separate them would be hardship on them both. My trust and my belief is so deep that my husband and I chose him to be our only daughter’s Godfather. Him and my daughter have also grown very close. Although he has spent most of her life in the correctional facility, my daughter has grown to love her uncle as a confidant. I see her receiving the same love and devotion from him as an equal of a parent. My daughter has grown very close to her uncle/godfather. She is now very understanding of why he is in a correctional facility, but has grown very confused and depressed at the news of his possible deportation. My daughter still holds memories of the time she and him spent together at age two. She kept a calendar in her room, counting down the days until May 3, 2000, when she thought she would see him again. Through mail, telephone and periodical visits, they have developed a relationship equal to that of a parent and child. My daughter has stated several times that she is relying on reliving their memories. Only at a tender age of six, my daughter is very hurt and angry with the laws of her country, which are threatening to separate her from her uncle. He has no family in the country of Colombia. His parents, siblings, niece, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends and companion are here in the United States. Sending him to a country, where he lacks of their education, at the age of 30 would be sentencing him to death. Colombia is a country that is full of violent drug wars, a corrupt government and dangerous guerilla warfare. My husband, my daughter and I visited this country in 1997. Our experience led us to a conclusion that we would never revisit that country again. The situations and status in Colombia have only grown worse since then. While on our two week vacation, as we were traveling to the Central Commercial City for a simple day of shopping, I was advised to remove my jewelry, including my wedding and engagement rings, because I would be robbed and if I refused, I would be killed for them. This is my confusion as to the absolute irony of this whole situation. This is my brother's first offence and it was a grand mistake that he, in his own words, has stated that he is fully regretful of. Of course, had he known the harsh consequences or the severity of the crime as he does now, I believe he would never have taken that path of destruction. I believe he is completely remorseful and regretful of what he did. I believe he is in a state of total rehabilitation. He has completed many programs and educational and spiritual courses while incarcerated to achieve this goal. To throw him away in a country where violence, drugs and destruction is thriving, and taking precedence, will not only be destroying the hard work he has produced for his own benefit in rehabilitating himself, but it would be destroying his life and the people who love him so much. My brother does not deserve a death sentence. He will die in that country alone. I have seen criminals in this country serve less time and easy punishment for murder, physical and sexual abuse. People serving only months for the murder of their own children. This is what you call fair? A judge sentences a criminal with his own judgement of the legnth of time for rehabilitation and correction. If my brother poses such a threat to our society, then why did that judge not sentence him a longer sentence? My brothers crime does not deserve a life sentence. He has done his time. It is time for him to be released to continue his education and life with his family!

hello, everyone I just want to say this law is a very destructive one, and it affects us all, in many different ways. This law affects my when I married my wife for about 2 yrs and we have a baby together but in this law that doesn't matter see, she's an illegal alien so that means under the law she has to leave for about 10 yrs before we can be together to be a family. She can't see her mother or father she can't work, So I pay all the bills provide for everything, which is hard we live alone, I only make 10$ an hr for the 3 of us, and what's evil is to INS that all doesn't matter she will still have to leave at the expense of my son's welfare, and interests, and there is no legal recourse just the consulate some thousands miles away in another country in the hopes he will give you mercy all he see's of your life is through a pile of papers and applications gee he will be real sympathetic, at best of what I've heard they are cruel. So you see, so many people are hurting from this law please do something about it before it happens to you or someone else. Thank you very much

I am the US Citizen wife of a foreigner who had been out of status for a period of a few years before we got married. We have been married since fall of 1999. We live in Southern California where it can take up to 36 months to adjust one's status to permanent resident (one of the slowest timelines in the country) and until then, my husband is unable to go home and visit his family since he is not eligible for advanced parole. If he were to leave the US before his AOS is complete, he would be abandoning his application for adjustment of status and be subject to a ten year ban from coming back into the United States, even though we are legally and legitimately married and I am a US citizen who has lived her entire life in this country. In the early spring of 2000, my husband's father passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. He desperately wanted to return to his home country to be with his mother as he is an only child and wanted to attend his father's funeral. We contacted the INS, the White House, our Congressman, and every government office we thought might be able to help my husband get around the ban and be able to return home just to be there for the funeral and to help his mother who was all alone and to still be able to return to the US and resume his life here. After being given the "run around" by various government agencies, it became clear that there was no way for my husband to leave the United States without being subject to the ten year ban. We decided that he would stay behind and I instead went to help his family. I have never heard of anything so cruel as to keep an only child away from the funeral of one of his parents. There is no room for compassion in this law. If someone is going to have to wait 3 years for permanent residencey (not citizenship!) because the government is slow, they should at least be allowed to travel home for a funeral without having to suffer such consequences. I am truely embarrased that our government would create such a cruel and heartless law that does not take any special circumstances into consideration.

Did anyone catch Dateline NBC yesterday(Sunday, May 7, 2000).You can read the story at: http://www.msnbc.com/news/399454.asp Sentenced to five years: http://www.msnbc.com/news/404019.asp#BODY This is the story of an Army Colonel's wife, both were stationed at the U.S. Embassy in Colombia. The wife, Laurie Hiett, a known cocaine-user was OK'd to accompany her husband on his mission as the Head of the U.S. Troops battling drug smuggling between Colombia & the U.S. She used the U.S. mail at the embassy to smuggle $700,000 worth of cocaine to New York and was eventually caught. Colonel Heitt claimed he didn't know what was going on but enjoyed spending the money. Laurie Heitt received five years her husband is yet to be sentenced. I mention this story only to point out the fact that there's a lot of people involved in drug smuggling to the U.S. and it's not all immigrants. U.S. citizens in high positions are involved in this but these two just happened to get caught. A lot of immigrants are facing deportation for simply possessing drugs. A lot have drug problems like Laurie Hiett did. But rather than getting them help, they want to separate them from families that can be supportive of their treatment.

My husband has been a legal permanent resident since 1977. I am a U.S. citizen and we've been married since 1985 and have three children. He's not perfect and made some mistakes in the past. One was a conviction in 1989 for possession of marijuana (the state added "with intention to distribute") but the marijuana was his own personal usage. However they decided to drop other charges if he pleaded guilty to the "intent" charge and he received 6 mos. suspended for probation. He also got into two fights. The INS now calls these aggravated felonies. Keep in mind, he has never done jail time for any of these charges. Yet, he is locked up as what they call an "INS DETAINEE" and he is being held in a federal prison with rapists, murders, etc.

I ask that you pray for me and my family and I pray that God will keep me strong through all of this.

I am so happy that I found this site. I am an american who fell in love with and married a mexican citzen we have a baby and are trying to make a good life here.The only thing he ever did wrong was to go looking for a better life for himself and his family in Mexico. He entered without inspection and When I tryed to file to get his papers I was told that we would have to go live in Mexico for at least one year and just hope to be granted a waiver of the 10 year ban. Even then I was told the only way that would happen was in cases of extreme need( Financial and family unity are not considered extreme need). I pray every day that the law makers see the error of 96. I dont want my family to be broke up. Every time I hear that someone that we know is being deported, or every time I see an INS van I feel sick. When my husband is later getting home from work I almost start panicing because I dont want him to be deported. It really lifts my spirts to read the other stories of people who are going through my same struggle together I know we can make a difference and FIX96. Thanks

To whom this may concern, I am currently 27 years old and residing in Seattle Washington. I came to the United State when I were just 3yrs old with my grandfather and uncles. Throughout my childhood life it wasn't easy, being "asian" in America without both parents also without a good roll modle to look up to. Sometim I feel that I am a tragety of the Vietnam War. Through out my High School years I have been invole in crimes and has been convict of a felony "know known as INS as Aggravate felon" and can be deport back to Vietnam. A country which that I don't have any knowledge of and only horror movie image about VietCon tourchering american soldier. I feel that it's extremely unfair for the government to make to the law which that allow the INS to deport imagrant like myself to a land which that HATE America so much.

what has gone wrong? why is this country treating immagrants like a "aliens" from a hostile UFO movies! Does anyone who pass this law ever think that.... There great ancestor where an immagrants too?????

I am an American Citizen and have two Natural Born American son. Their bioligical father was deported. I was left alone to struggle and try to succeed in life. My husband never committed a crime. He just recieved a call from his brother asking him for a favor. And for that favor he was deported for being in the wrong place and the wrong time. Yes the 1996 Reform Immigration Act is harsh! When my husband was deported, I was left all alone to struggle! Alone when Hurricane Andrew hit with my sons. My husband was suppose to be around for one of his sons operation that he needed and his father was suppose to be there for his son blood tranfusion. His father was the only one in the family who's blood type matched for his son. Immigration remark was "I do not care"! Not even this was taken into consideration. I went through Hurrican Andrew and the following day my son was rushed to the emergency room phasing surgery or he would of died on me. My husband deported, then Hurricane Andrew and then I almost lost my son! All alone! To top it of the operation was performed under emergency back up generators. What elese can I say! Immigration policy discriminates and if someone starts a class action please notify me so I can join. Till this day my family still suffers, cries especially my sons! You see for the last eight years Christmas and their birthdays has been spent with out their dad and there is not one year that passes where these two inportant days come and my sons cry. And they say this only happens in Cuba! But the bottom line is it is happening in the United States! Not to may people know about this law until it happens to them! We need to inform the public and start writing letters by thousands to congress! I have not lost my hope yet! But I have changed my mine on the freedom of this Country! If we all ignore it and think it will never happen to you---your wrong! Do not wait to become a victim and lets jion together and stand up for your rights!

It is discusting to know that even thou we pay taxes in this Country that Congress and President Clinton can pass a harsh, discriminated law as they did. Also, How is it that a "Communist Man" from Cuba have more rights then tax payers, American Cititzen, American Children and Permanent Residents that contribute to our Country. That man is "Juan Miguel Gonzalez"! Just look at where he is staying and he is not even from this Country! What is going on in America? My suggestion is that we all start writing letters! Not just a couple, thousands! Society is not inform clearly on this issue, not until it happens to one of their friends or a family member. This is the election year and we must use this time to get our point across. We need to start writing to Congressmen & Congresswomen that represents our areas. Fix 96! Also those that were deported under that law should be allow to return to their families here in the United States regardless of what they say. No hearing regardless! Just let them back in! The damages have been done and most of them are still paying for one mistake twice! The damages have been done not only to them, also to their American children and American Spouses as well as Legal Permanent Residents! If Congress will not change this law that is against our Constitution. Why not advertise and start a class action law suit among all of the families that have been torn apart! After all this has created permanent damages to many of us especially our childrens, whom have had to be separated from their father or mother during Xmas and their special day their "Birthdays"

I would like to tell of how the "IIRAIRA LAW SIGNED IN 1996" has had an impact on my families life. This is a horrific, evil, law that is decimating American families. It is an anti-immigrant-biased law destroying everyones lives. It is a law without Mercy and thus inhumane.

This law should only apply to repeated offenders but not to rehabilitated people whom as young teenagers committed on grave mistake in their lives. We must forgive and recognize their accomplishments and not the crime that was caused years ago.

I and my family have been in the United States of America for about 12 years. We came here Legally through a visitors visa but over stayed. My father was more Legal then us because he was involved in the SAW program but was the few who were unsuccesful getting legal.

This is the start of no more rights for any of us. We all pay taxes and are part of this Country. I am an American Citizen and do agree with enforcing strong laws as long as they are not unconstitutional. I have read articles on how Immigration enacts a new law. They say that one way is with the "Constitution"! I do not think that the "Constitution" was even considered.New laws are ok with one exception----They should not in anyway be made retroactive at all. No one can change their past. This law is terrible. This law is harsh in everyway and was intended to be hatred, unjustifiable and discriminating Immigrates in all ethnic background. It has created a big impact on many people including myself and both of my natural born American sons. It just tore us a part, when they deported their father back to the Dominican Republic. These changes made in the immigration laws in 1996 meant that my husband who had committed a crime years ago-----by being in the wrong place and the wrong time----a crime that was not considered deportable at that time---and served his debt to society, was about to be punished again (double jeopardy) against our "Constitution". No one can change the past and no one should ever have to pay twice for any reason unless you are a danger to society. Congress destroyed my family and separated my sons who are American from their father! But they reunited "Juan Miguel Gonzalez" a communist member said by him on national television with his son Elian. I am happy they are together, but what about the children of American and the American Spouces that Congress did not consider in the best interest of our American Families? Where did our rights go? We deserve the same right that was provided to "Juan Miguel Gonzalez" because we are from this Country----The United States and have more rights then a communist member. I want my husband be allowed to re-enter the United States and be reunited with me and his biological sons, that is what is in the best interest of my sons and the American Children. Remeber Janet Reno said repeatly "We are wroking in the best interest of the boy Elian" So now why don't Congress and Janet Reno including our President Clinton work in the best interest of our American Children? Bring back all the Father's and Mother's that were deported because of this law that they applied retroactive and give us back our families.

If you are reading this then you have a powerful tool to fight these wrongs. Use the internet to contact your congressman and senators. Write the President and urge him to address the need to correct the mess he helped create. But please, please, do something! become involved! take action today!

To Whom this may concern, My father "Charles T. Thoennes came to America from Cuba with his mother when he was 5 years old. His mother died and he was in put into a Catholic foster home in Chicago, than he was taken into the Thoennes family in Chicago area where he lived till he was old enough to go into the US Army. He was in the US Army for 4 years and held a High Level security Clearance and he took part in the atomic test over in the Pacific Islands and Arizon sites. When he servered his time in the Army he got out and joined the work force for over 50+ years, he has a Social Security card, he has voted. My father just recently turned 65 and when he went to collect his Socail Security benefits he was refuse because he could not provide citizenship papers such as a birth certificate. We have talk to our Representative "Barbara Boxer, Woolse, and Fienstein" but then were none responsive. I find this unacceptable because he has served his country in time of war and he has been outstanding member of society. We are not sure what we will do next, this is why I am expressing myself in this email...

hi, my name is maribel sanchez, i am currently a sophomore at the university of texas at san antonio. i am pursuing a career in biology, pre-med. of course, i never would have thought i would come to this point in my life. you see, my mother ran away to give bith to me because my mother's parents disapproved of her because she was unmarried. so by working through as a cleaning lady at motel 6 and even as a carpenter, my mother was able to substain herself and i was eventually born on oct. 29, 1979. my dad who is from mexico, was informed of my birth and saw me on and off. it wasn't until i was 7 years old that my parents officially reunited and got married. so here i am never knowing how it felt to have a father, i had a real hard time accepting him, but eventually i did and it was great. life was hard. both my parents don't have an educational degree so they worked full time jobs that paid minimum wage. as much as they worked, it was bearaly sufficient. life grew worse. my grandmother died and my mom developed diabetes, and my dad turned to alcohol. it was down the hill from there. i remember waking up in the middle of the night in my bugs bunny pajamas, having to pickup my father from jail because he was caught with d.w.i again. here i was an 8 year old girl standing in sandals and rugged old pajamas staring at my parents who were fighting. every night it was one thing or another. i eventually reached high school and learned about my potential. i loved to study and participated in extracurricular activites. i had a goal and pursued it to the fullest and eventually i became the valedictorian of my school. my mom was so proud of me. then it happened. i went to my father and told him, "i was the valedictorian of my class", he was in awe. throughout my life he never really had a real clue about my life friends, school, thoughts. from that day on he stopped drinking. just like that! i can't tell you how healthy my family is now. my mom and dad seem like they have fallen in love all over again. me and my dad talk. did you hear that talk! he takes me fishing, he takes my mom out to eat. he cares about my education! I FEEL LOVED! of course, this joy will soon come to an end. due to the new illegal immigration and immigrant responsibility act he will soon get deported for his dwi offenses. you can't even imagine how my heart is sunken. i just feel that he had learned his mistakes and he has served his time already. i mean isn't this what are country is trying to enforce, do the crime, pay the time. are we not trying to obliviate crime, through counseling and other factors. I ASSURE YOU THERE ARE GREATER OFFENSENS THAN MY DAD'S THAT HAVE NOT BEEN SOLVED. a majority of them who are AMERICAN CITIZENS. does the constitution not protect my dad. we are talking about people not citizens that the constitution enforces. this law will cause pyscholigical effects on my family, and i'm sure to the many other familes out there. please don't deprive them of this. they are humans not strangers.

Mr lamar smith the author of the draconian law said that the problems of the 1996 law are by the hundreds and not thousands (i.e people with petty offenses being deported), I think the situation is otherwise send an email to the president and vice president telling them to work on passing the Family reunification act here is the email add: http://www.whitehouse.gov/WH/Mail/html/Mail_President.html

I am a lawyer and a concerned family memeber unfortunately, I am involved in a situation where a loved one has been wrongly accused of a crime, wrongly convicted because of juror laziness and incredible prosecutorial misconduct. My loved one is currently incarcerated and was only incarcerated because he refused to admit to a crime he did not commit. Unfortunately we are living a dateline/ story for thepast 4 years. With this conviction, he faces deportation and has already been served with a notice to appear. our family has been in this country since early 1979 and of course there is not criminal record. we have dedicated our lives to helping people and now find ourselvesin a situation that is devastating. I wish to be more involved and wish to assist in any way I can to help change these laws. I have been able, through my contacts, to speak with several congressman and can have them assist us and work with us. Please contact me a a rdave@lawyer.com. I wish to be involved.

The only hope to solve the IIRAIRA is through changing the laws. There are 2 bills in congress, so if you are a US citizen, call and write your representative ( congressman anad senator) to sponsor one of the two following bills.HR 1485 : The family reunification bill, written by Mass FRANK BARNEY. HR 3272 : written by New York rep. BOB FILNER. There is also a lady that is working constantly to change the law. She has been travelling to Washington Dc , see congress, looking for support from anybody that she can get help from, all on her own. She has created a group, CIEJ,( a committee for justice for immigrants.) Her name is Laurie Kozuba and her email address is ciejtx@aol.com If you can donate anything, please do so, she has never asked for anything , but I know she is trying tirelessly to help all people with the present retroactive deportation problems. Another organization is trying very hard to help immigrants too. They can be found at www.immigrationforum.org Again, they are trying their best, if all of us give them even $10.00 , they will have more funds, to hire people that will lobby for the immigrants. You can also fax a letter to support Barney's bill HR 1485, to the Judiciary committee in Congress, they are the people that deal with immigration changes in the law. Their fax number is 202-225-7682 ( in Washington dc.) We need to keep the pressure onto Congress, as this is not a priority for them. Barely anyone in congress realizes the horror of this 1996 law. They just signed the law and let INS take care of the deportations.

Hello:
I have been a witness to a terrible crime on human rights this morning. A little boy's family home in Miami was violated on their religious sacred week. There was no warning. INS officials, that acted like soldiers came in with masks and automatic weapons. This child was well and healing from losing his mother to a shipwreck in shark infested waters and was again traumatized, but now while he was in his home.

The child was horrified at the site of armed men. They grabbed him and sprayed many civilians with tear gas and pepper spray. One man was hit with a can of some gas and suffered a huge rash all over his body. This would have not happened if more people would care that this child was in an healthy environment, but too many wanted him with his "dad." Not enough seemed to understand that his dad might have been forced himself. But, what matters is that Elian wanted and, if now not pressured, wants to be in America. If sent back to Cuba, he will be submitted to shock treatments to forget his memory of the US. This is not a cultural difference this is a matter of human rights. This child was sacrificed and no one knows what he's going through at this time. His Miami-branched family member flew to D.C., but were denied to see if the child was harmed.For five months now, America has been divided by the Elian Gonzalez Case. I believe it to be the fault of the media, because their opinion and screened material was at most times different and indifferent to what average people like myself see and know. The case here is that Elian Gonzalez has the right that all refuges should have: the right to ask for asylum. He is here, not in Cuba. The law said nothing about his age being unfit for him to ask for asylum, it can just be interpreted that way. But, if it would have, it would be wrong. Cuba is governed by an oppressive regime. The UN has reported for the umpteenth time that Cuba has violated human rights and it does so horribly. The USA GOV links go in detail about how locals are in danger of going to jail just for talking to reporters and tourists. But, communism in Cuba is to wide a matter to go into detail here so I invite everyone to visit my site at www.miamibulletin.com/truth/ so you can read what I have to say, some links on what witnesses and what US investigation says. I believe we should all sign a petition to have Janet Reno, Doris Meissner and Bill Clinton impeached for violating human rights in the eyes of our nation and the world. I believe they should be investigated for being UN-AMERICAN. This is the saddest day that our nation has endured from our own civil servants. I believe that they should be asked for their resignation and also be charged with criminal charges and infant abuse. Our President has smirked his way into telling us that violence is acceptable in the case of parental rights and that parental rights go above human rights. This is disturbing. If there isn't a law that would protect us from these sadists, there should be. I know that if we accept communism/oppression in the world today, our children will accept it as their government tomorrow.

My wife is an illegal immigrant, our 3 children are citizens, as am i . When we first tried to apply for a change of status, we coould not afford the filling fee, and penalties becuase i was a student.Upon graduation from school, i found that all the laws had changed and was told my wife would have to leave the country in order to get her papers legal, what hurt me was when we were told that she would have to waite 10 yrs before she could come back! I alomost died of shock, my wife was raised here and someone tells her that she must leave this country she knows as home, this would totally disrupt our kids lives, we were told that the kids could stay here with me while she was gone, or that they could go live with her in a foreiegn country. Is this country come to splitting up families? I did not serve my country in the Gulf War, to come "home" to see my family ruined by some people who have no common sense! How can any good come from sending my childrens mother away or making them miss thier father due to some idiotic law that denies people what this country was founded on ? This law violates all i hold dear to life.... freedom, I can say without hesitation that this law is absurd ! It does not account for the people who have been here most of their lives, or for the people who are trying to make life better, I honestly do not know what to do or where to turn for help in my own personal case, if anyone could give me advise or steer me in the way of help i would most certainly appriciate it. I have tried to get help from my congressman but that was like getting help from a wall !!!!

I am an American citizen married to an illegal immigrant. I have researched these horrid laws and read some of these unbelievable stories. We need to stand up and be heard. Restoration of 245(i) in immigration law is the key to our happiness. Let's not let the government take away our right to love whom ever our hearts desire. Their new laws give no room for appeals and punish everyone who comes into question, despite who it affects in the process. I can't believe our own gov. passed these laws! I was ignorant to these laws, only until after I got married. I still wouldn't change a thing. With elections this year, everyone this affects needs to make a verbal push for h.r.1841, the bill brought forth to Congress that would fully restore Section 245(i) and save countless families from the cruelty of INS. Contact all members in Senate and in the House via E-mail and express your approval of h.r.1841 and Section 245(i) Restoration. Call your Representative in the House, please do all you can. Every voice counts.

I like many of you writing in this fourm am an U.S. citizen by birth, and an greatly effected by this unfair and unjust law. I have met and fallen in love with a beautiful young lady from Mexico. She first came to this country about 10 years ago when she was only 14. She came to escape a forced marriage and an abusive husband. At the time she was pregnant with her first child. Her daughter was born in this country and by law is a U.S. citizen She later had another child who is also a U.S. citizen. I had the chance to meet her when she needed the police and I was the officer that responded to her call. At the time I was seperated from my wife and going through a nasty divorce. I began dating her and fell in love. After everything was settled in my life I asked her to marry me. It was only then that she had the courage to tell me that she was here illegally. After much discussion, she returned to her home in Mexico, leaving her two U.S. citizen children in my care, and I filed the fiancee petition with INS. It was aproved in only two weeks and that's where the nightmare began. The petition was sent to the American Consulate in Cuidad Juarez, Mexico. Following the instructions provided by INS, I attempted to contact the consulate about the petition I kept getting the official run around from its not here to no one who could speak English enough to understand my questions, to that office is closed now call later.

To everyone else, good luck, may may the lord watch out for us and provide us that one ray of hope that we all need

His illegal journey to El Norte: Alejandro lopez is a 27 year old native of Mexico, he has entered the United States illegally by crossing the Rio Grande with several of his amigos. Alejandro said his journey was not an easy one and is one he will always remember. He recalls being deported 6 times and one of his amigos drowned in the process of crossing the river. The fear and fustration you feel is indescribable. Alejandro did not come to America looking for handouts. He has a job and is a very self-sufficient person like many other illegals and U.S. citizens. He strongly disagrees with the following statements being made: Illegal immigrants are taking jobs from U.S. citizens. We are working the jobs that U.S. citizens refuse to work. I work 10 to 12 hours every day for $8.50 per hour, sometimes in 100 degree weather. For the average American that's not enough money for their labor, but to me it is a blessing. With the money I make I can send money home to my mother who is 54 years old and unable to work. She needs medical care, which I try to pay for. I also pay for youngest my sister's education. Illegals immigrants are not paying their share in taxes? I am paying into the system. Taxes are being withheld from each of my paychecks such as medicaid tax, social security tax, federal and state taxes. And I am not eligible for any of these benefits because of my illegal status. Where do my tax dollars go along with millions of other illegal immigrants' tax dollars? Who is really losing out?

My husband entered the U.S. without inspection 7 years ago, but we met & married this last summer within 6 weeks’ time. He is the love of my life and I know God made us one for another. I sought the advice of my father about immigration paperwork, because he works in a Law Enforcement Training Center. He put me in touch with an INS investigator in the city where we live. This man met with us and gave me a bunch of forms. I filed all the forms and evidence painstakingly having no idea we were applying for a benefit we could have no hopes of receiving. We applied for Adjustment of Status here in the States, which apparently "sunset" on Jan. 14, 1998. I did learn this about 2 months before our interview was scheduled, but what could I do? Two weeks before the interview, I panicked when I heard he could be arrested on site and sought a lawyer. We feared the worst and upon our AOS interview,
knew they could possibly deport him. Thanks to everyone who prayed and the overwhelming mercy of God, he not only did NOT get arrested, he did not get put in deportation proceedings either. He has NEVER had any encounters with the law or the INS, and maybe they decided to focus on the "bad guys." The adjudicating officer gave us the I-130 (visa) approval on the spot, and put the approval in an envelope for the National Visa Center right there. He also gave us a copy of the approval letter. But, he told him he cannot work any more (we had applied for and received an EAD with the I-485 AOS), and to high tail it down to Juarez to pick up his visa at the Consulate. But the sick thing is, the second my husband steps outside the US border, he becomes subject to the 10-year-ban imposed in for those who have been in the US without legal status for an aggregate period of greater than one year. So of course, the approval is no good. But yet, we have to play this charade and get together a police certificate (proving no criminal record) from his hometown in Mexico, a military letter of liberty (which of course he doesn't have because he has been here since 18) and a new passport. Then we have to go the the interview in Ciudad Juarez just to be told he is ineligible. Only then can we file for a waiver of "extreme and unusual hardship to his US Citizen spouse". Apparently those waivers are taking 8-10 months just to get a "yes" or "no" answer on. And since they have already established that there is nothing extreme or unusually hard about 10 years of separation from the other half of your soul, your life, your spouse, or even US born children,what have we?My husband is such a good worker, his boss told him he was worth the investment and he had a job when he came home. my husband actually teared up a little. It was very touching. The side note is, our house is a benefit of his job. If he can't come home soon - like end of summer at the latest- I will have to move. I am working to support both of us here. The money is dwindling down to nothing already and he has only been gone a few weeks. I had to put a lien on our other car to pay for his ticket and give him money to take. Now I have to pay the lien also. My heart is in Mexico City. I am here. As my husband says, "Why? WHY?" And I never have an answer and I don't even try anymore. We cry on the phone and he desperately wants to come back here. I have anxiety attacks and live in a state of the oddest sense of loss. The Lord gave me someone who loved me, just as I am, finally after years of waiting. My husband is the most precious man- through all the language barriers, the cultural differences, and normal marriage adjustments, we have such a profound love.
Because he was born on the other side of the line in the dirt and never asked for anything- no handouts- we suffer. And I know many suffer more than us. The only things we have against us are the EWI (entry without inspection) and possible work history (before our marriage). I'm NOT saying what he did is OK. Believe me, we have gone round, and round, and round about that one. I know why he came, and in his place, I probably would have too. I also know why it’s wrong.
But I don't think we should have to pay with 10 years of our lives - and I truly believe in my case- my whole life. My education, everything I have built here and pulled myself up from my bootstraps will be trashed and useless. We are only 25 years old- what about the babies we so desperately want? I have an education and a good job. We would never be on welfare or take anything from anyone. But I would rather scratch my dinner from the dirt with the man I love. Except I don't even have the choice to become poor! Get this: my education loans. If I leave, I will have to default. (Pesos will never pay what I owe!) That is now considered a FELONY offense. And they cannot be included in a bankruptcy if they are federal monies. I had finally gotten out of debt- years of working 90 hour weeks since I graduated- to what? Pick between my husband and becoming a felon? What kind of a choice is that? I also have some serious medical conditions. We feel countryless- betrayed by both. And wouldn't you know, my degree was in Political Science! I love my husband with all that is in me and I would rather die than be separated from him if they ban him. There's so many complications. Where will I live? How will we make it? How can I live and walk and breathe and work normally to support us when I feel like I am going to die without him? I know many, many others have suffered untold times more than this. As my mom pointed out, many women's husbands have gone to war over the years. And as my sister says, at least he's not been diagnosed with cancer. But there's something about this that is just DIFFERENT. We're not fighting a war and he's not ill. I can understand those things, though I doubt they'd hurt less. This is senseless and without reason. Please, please tell me how I can help. And I would like to help others. If anyone has any similar experiences and would like to share or can help with any insight- please write me at: balvarez@nwrain.com

    Dear Friend,
       My name is jennifer ventura I'm in united states navy my husband came to this country when he was 17 years old, undocumented but his countries government won't help people like him becase he was poor and could not finish school on account of his parents had 14 kids so he was forced to quit school and get a job to help feed his family, we have been together almost four years now we will have our 2nd wedding annaversary the 17 april 2000 and our appointment with immigration is also this month the 26th, in cuidad juarez mexico, and due to the new harsh laws they will make him stay in mexico and we also have filled a hardship waiver and we also have a 3 month old little baby girl. but most likely they will say no to that to, my lawyer said that they could tell us it will take 8 months to get the waiver approved or longer if they even accept it and i was to call my congressman to see if he could help to get things expedited but i all ready asked them and they said that they won't help me. I cry every day and i don't know what i'm going to do if he's not allowed to stay i don't know who will take care care of my baby either because being in the navy i'm going back to a ship in june i guess I'll probably lose her too. My husband and i are very much in love and we have a special relationship that most married peopple don't have. This is totally unfair and inhumane, I have so very badly stressed over this whole deal it's affecting my health and the rest of my family. Why won't anybody help? all i want is my family, to live a normanl life like anyother. Well i better get back to work thanks for setting up this web site, if you would wish to respond back to me, I hope you will my email is venturajennifer@hotmail.com. Thank you concerned friend.
                              Sincerely,
                             Jennifer Ventura

I am a Legal Permanent Alien that is very concerned about the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996.
I was arrested and convicted for credit card theft in 1994 for goods of one thousand dollars. I served fifteen days in Jail and three years probation. While on probation I complete my BA in Computer Information Systems and I am a success full engineer. I have also since married and American and I have a six-month-old son. This law was applied to my case retroactively. I find this unfair and inhuman. I am currently undergoing depuration hears. The INS wishes to send me back to Somalia, my country of birth. I have no memory of Somalia because I have been in the United States since I was five years old. If they are successful in their case, I will not be sent to Somalia because the United States does not have a depuration agreement with that country. Instead I will find myself in jail for an undetermined time. I will lose my job home and cost tax payers thousands of dollars. For years I have been a productive member of society following my conviction. All I ask is
for an opportunity to live my life in peace. Please contact your Lawmaker and make a differance of humanity.

I've been in this country leagly since I was 3 or had been until iiraira, now I'm 47. I have been married for 20 years to an American born wife and have to boys 12 and 16 both born here in Fresno CA., both are in excelerated programs in there schools, I can't express how proud I am of both of them. 11 years ago I plea bargined to a what is now concidered an agavated felony and an fighting deportation. I had beem hearing that law makers like Smith and Lee were working to fix the the law so that it would not apply to cases prior to the law. But so far I haven't seen any thing to show that its going to happen any time soon, and I have just about run out of time, I am the primary bread winner for my family and always have been, I,m not sure how they will be able to get alone with me. I have never asked the govt. for a dime to raise or support my family, but I'm deported they will then become wards of the state, and lose our home for sure since I have been fortunate enough to have worked our way to a lower middle class standard of living. So much for family values and caring about the children.My family all Americans will be the true victums of this ruthles law, since I am in good health, have a modest education, and have a trade skill, I beleave I will be able to work my way back up to a middle class equivilant. In Mexico as I have here, I will never be able to replace family. I can't begin to tell you how this has efected my wife, she has been a complete "mess", We havn't told our children yet hopping for a miricle.

Thank You for a chance to tell our plight.

Juventino Hernandez & Family

From what I am reading on the Internet, looks like the FIX 96 campaign has taken a backburner, this is an election yr and we should do something to get the harsh consequences of IIRIRA in front of the media (CNN and other talk shows), any suggestions are welcome. Stories from this website should be sent to the media.

I as an illegal immigrant has been living in this country for the past seven years. I have made several attempts to legalize my status but due to the 1996 laws it's impossible. I have been married to an American citizen for one and a half years we"ve been together for almost 4 years. We have a baby together and this makes it very hard to leave the country for such a long time. We recently went to a lawyer to see if my status could be changed and were told that the new laws made it even more difficult for illegal immigrants.I was so disappointed because I cannot work without a social security number or even go to school. Even though my husband supports me it's pretty frustrating not being able to be productive. My husband doesn't want me returning home before I met him I was planning on returning to my country. He convinced me to stay assuring me everything would be ok but as it turns out matters only got worse.It is not that easy now I have a newborn, it would !
break my heart to leave/be deported and leave my child and husband behind. It is a situation now where one just watches and waits and hope and pray that these laws change.If you have any information about any changes please I'd appreciate some feedback. Thanks for your time.

My son is a 19 years old boy that has been living in this counry since he was 5 years old. We both entered this country iligally and got our green cards though a Law that is called Suspension of Deportation. This is based on time and good moral character. I took us 8 years to become legal residents. So he became legal resident at the age of 13. To get his citizenship we had to wait 5 more years. However, my son committed a stupid crime of shoplifting at the age of l7, just before he was 18 and almost 5 years after he received his green card. At the moment of that mistake, he had to wait almost 8 months to apply for his citizenship. The 8 months passed and he applied. But, as young and living in a country where young people become some how irresponsible, he went to college and there he learned all the "good things" students know. At his age he think he knows everything, and made the mistake of smoke you know what. he was counght ane sent to jail. He stay there for three hours. but according to the new law, he wont be able to became a citizen after 5 years more have passed. However, immigration officials at the moment of the interview have the whole power to grant or deny the citizenship, though based in the law. But, according to the Law, he is deportable for this mistakes that even those who make the law have also made. I, as a mother, I'm going crazy. My son is a good boy. good student and son. I wish that those who are affected and non affected by these Law of Hatred, do something to change these law. I know that law are neccesary to keep balance and order. But, some times, power is abused and laws are only for the weak. Let's do something.

I am an American Citizen by birth. My husband is a citizen of Somalia, but has been in the United States for over twenty years. He is 26 years old and is a very knowledgeable engineer. We have a wonderful 6-month-old son who adores his father. We are very excited about our future. However, there is a problem. Six years ago my husband stole a credit card. He was young and stupid. He got caught and served five years of probation. After this incident occurred he made major life changes. He graduated from college, got a good job, and has had no further problems with the law. Three months after we married, the INS arrested him. We were able to get him out on bond. Currently, we are fighting this in appeals court.

This is a sad situation for anyone to be in. If my husband is sent back to Somalia he may be killed. I've always believed that the United States is a great country. Sometimes laws are not always fair. But they can be changed. This law must change!!! Is there anyone out there interested in protesting or doing something to pressure lawmakers. I know many of you have sent letters to representatives. I don't think they are listening. The mass media must cover this issue. It would embarrass them if the public knew what was going on. I have seen brief stories on CNN. Nightline devoted a whole hour to this. But we need more!!! Americans should be scared. This type of thing could happen to them too. The fact that any law could be made retroactive is shameful. Furthermore, my heart goes out to the immigrants being detained in prison right now. How can this happen? How can we allow this to happen?

My stepson also has been detained because of this draconian law that the President and Congress passed in 1996. I went to a lawyer and was told there was nothing I could do. Seems the rights of due process,and the fifth ammendent are only for those lucky enough to be born on U.S. soil. What has happened to my son and thousands of hard working TAX paying residents of this country is a moral outrage! I support Bob Filner in his effort to change these UNJUST and ILLEGAL laws. I had as many people from my work E-Mail Mr. Filner about my son's problem. The power of the internet can be an advantage to us. Take a few minuets from your day and E-Mail your representatives and let them know your views. Mandatory Detention can not continue to destroy the lives of people. The real crime is being commited by a government whose very foundation is based on justice and freedom. DEMAND THAT ALL PEOPLE BE TREATED EQUAL.

We adopted a boy from Mexico, not knowing that we should do this before age fifteen. Now he is 25. We have tried everything possible to get his citizenship. This is heart breaking for my husband and I. He is in every way our son. He came here and worked to send money back to Mexico at age 15. Does anyone know of any options that we might have? We are desperate. We adopted him at age 23. He has been with us since he was 16 years old. We own a ranch, which he will inherit. I can't believe that the laws are this way and would deport him and tear our family apart.

IM WRITING IN BEHALF OF MY SON FERNANDO RIVADENEYRA, AUR DRAMA STARTED IN OCT 1996,WENT MY SON REVOKE HIS PEOVETION. MY SON IS CURRENTLY FACING DEPORTATION TO A COUTRY THAT HE DONT EVEN KNOW OR HAVE ANY BODY OR FAMILY,HE DONT SPEAK ANY SPANISH AND DONT HAVE ANY IDEA OF LIMA PERU,WHAT INS IS DOING TO ALL THIS GOOD PEOPLE IS CRUEL AND UNJUSTICE.I FEEL SO SAD FOR EVERYONE THAT IS GOING TROUGH THE HARSH LAW OF 1996. THIS LAW VIOLATE FUNDAMENTAL PRICIPLES OF LAW, JUSTICE AND FAIRNESS,THEYRE DENY PEOPLE THEIR DAY IN COURT BECAUSE IMMIGRANTS ARE DEPORTED WITH NOT APPEALS, AND COURT CAN NOT REVIEWS INS DECISITION. THE LAW DENY A PEOPLE A SECOND CHANCE BY DEPORTING THEM FOR A MINOR OFFENSES FOR WHICH THEY HAVE ALREADY PAID. THE LAW CHANGE THE RULES MID GAME BY BEING RETROACTIVE.AS A RESULTS OFFENSES THAT WERENT GROUMDS FOR DEPORTATION NOW ARE . THE LAW TEAR FAMILIES APART, MANY GOOD PEOPLE HAVE BEING DEPORTED , HAVE BEEN IN THE USA SINCE THEYRE WERE SMALL CHILDRENS MANY HAV!
E MERRED AMERICAN CITIZENS AND THEYRE CHILDRENS ARE AMERICANS. FINILLY THE LAW HIT THE WRONG TARGETS. THEYRE WERE MEANT TO TARGET CRIMINALS AND TERRORIST, BUT LAW ABIDING WORKERS AND TO MANY INTELIGENT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DEPORTED . TO FINISH MY LETTER I WILL TELL YOU ABOUT MY SON. WE CAME TO USA FROM PERU IN 1976, I WAS A SIGLE WOMAN WITH THREE CHILDRENS, ID MERRY MY HUSBAND IN PERU, HE IS A USA CITIZEN, WE MEED IN PERU WENT HE WAS WORKING FOR AN OIL COMPANY IN MY HOME TOWN, NOW WE ALL LEAVE IN TEXAS IN A NICE HOME, AND WE ALL ARE USA CITIZENS, MY SON IN 1988 COMITED A FELONY THAT WAS NOT AGRAVATED,AND FOR THIS REASON HE WILL BE DEPORTED.RIGHT NOW WE HAVE HIS CASE IN A FEDERAL COURT HEAVES CORPUS APPEAL. MY QUESTION IS? THE COUNTRY OF PERU HAVE ASYLUM POLITIC,DO YOU THING THAT MY SON WILL BE ALLOW FOR THIS? PLEASE HELME. MY SON GRADUATE WITH HONOR AND HAVE TWO YEARS OF COLLEGE EDUCATION, IT WAS A MISTAKE WHAT HAPPEN ELEVEN YEARS AGO . WE ALL ARE WITH HIM AND WE ALL ERE SUPPOTING THE CHANGE OF THIS EVIL LAW! PLEASE YOU CAN WRITME TO MY E MAIL. atoler@tgn.net THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH AND GOD BLESS YOU ALL. ANITA TOLER HOUSTON TX.

I WENT TO LIVE IN USA WHEN I WAS 16 Y\O,WITH NO FAMILY,NO FRIENDS.I WAS HOMELESS. ONE TIME I HAD TO SLEEP IN A CAR IT WAS SNOWING AND COLD AND I WAS AFRAID THAT INMIGRATION COULD FIND ME,BUT ALWAYS TRYING TO WORK ALLWAYS THINKING ABOUT THE AMERICAN DREAM,CLEANINIG OR DOING AS MUCH AS I COULD.I WAS AND ILLEGAL ALIEN AND I HAD TO DEAL WITH WITH PEOPLE THAT HIRE ME BUT KNOWING MY SITUATION THEY ABUSED AND TKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SITUATION .THANK GOD I FOUND A GOOD JOB, I WENT TO HIGH SCHOOL,LEARNED SOME ENGLISH, I DID NOT GRADUATE,BUT I WANTED TO GO TO THE UNIVERSITY AND TOOK MY GED TEST I PASS,UNFORTUNATELY I WAS AND ILLEGAL ALIEN AND THEY TOLD ME I COULD NOT GO. THINGS WERE TOUGH,I WAS WORKING TWO JOBS, ALWAYS AFRAID OF INMIGRATION HAVING NIGHTMARES DAY BY DAY THAT THEY COULD ARRESTME.ALWAYS HOPING THAT MAY BE INMIGRATION WILL HELP WITH A NEW AMNESTY OR MAY BE THE TIME WILL BE ON MY SIDE,ALLWAYS BEEN TREATED LIKE GARBAGE WITH NO RIGHTS,OR IGNORANT OF THE LAW ALLWAYS AFRAID TO ASK. SEVEN YEARS PASS BY I LEARNED MORE, BECAME THE MANAGER OF A FEW PLACES I HELP A COMPANY TO GO BACK IN BUSINESS,BUT THERE WAS AGAIN INS WITH NEW LAWS,I HAD TO QUIT MY JOB. THEN SOME BODY TOLD ME ABOUT GETTING A PUERTO RICAN BIRTH CERTIFICATE,THAT COULD HELP ME FIND A GOOD JOB WITHOUT BEEN AFRAID OF INS AND TO GET A PASSPORT TO GO BACK AND VISIT MY FAMILY,AND I DID I PAY A LOT OF MONEY TO MAKE THE WORST MISTAKE.I WAS WORKING AND ONE DAY I RECIVED A CALL FROM MY COUNTRY MEXICO, LETING ME KNOW THAT MY MOM WAS VERY ILL, AND SHE WAS ASKING FOR ME.ALL THIS YEARS I WAITED BECUOSE I WAS AFRAID TO LOOSE WHAT I ALL READY BUILT HERE, AND TO COME BACK AND TRY TO CROSS THE BORDER,I WAS DESPERATE AND THE PERSON THAT SOLDME THE CERTIFICATE TOLD ME TO GET A PASSPORT,THE WORST THING THAT CUOULD HAPPEN IS THAT IF THEY REJECT YOUR APLICATION,AND THEY AREN'T GOING TO SEND YOU THE PASSPORT, I BELIVED EVERYTHIG. THE TIME PASS AND MY MOM GOT RECOVERED FROM HER ILLNESS,AND I FORGET ABOUT THE PASSPORT. I HAD A FRIEND, WE BECAME BOYFRIENDS AND GOT MARRIED, HE WAS A PERMANET RESIDET WAITING TO BECOME A US CITIZEN AND HE FILED FOR THE I-30 FORM,AND WE WERE HAPPY,UNTIL THEY ARRESTME,FOR FALSE STATEMENT FOR A PASSPORT,I DID NOT KNOW THAT I COMITED A REALLY BAD CRIME AND I PAY FORIT, I SPENT THE WORST SIX MONTHS OF MY LIFE IN COUNTY JAIL AND INS JAIL,AND MY WORST NIGHT MARE CAME TRUE, I HAD TO DEAL WITH INS.
I WAS HUMILATED ABUSED AFRAID OF THE INMATES.MY HUSBAND PAY FOR ATORNEYS BUT AT THE END THE NEW INMIGRATION LAW OF 1996 WHICH SAY,THERE IS NO WAIVER TO ANY BODY WHO REPRESENT HER OR HIM SELF AS A US CITIZEN, MY ATORNEY TOLDME THERE IS THREE OF THE WORST CRIMES FOR INS,ONE IS VIOLENT CRIMES,DRUGS AND REPRESENT YOUR SELF AS A US CITIZEN. I WAS DEPORTED AND I NEVER GOING TO BE ALOWED IN THE US AGAIN. I WAS ABLE TO DEPART VOLUNTARLY,AND I DID A WAS POSTED A BOND OF $500dls WHICH INS DONT WANT TO REFUND,MAKING EXCUSES NOW THAT IM HERE IN MEXICO.THANK GOD I EXPLAIN TO MY EMPLOYEE MY SITUATION AND IN GRATITUD FOR HELP HIM TO SUCCED WITH HIS COMPANY,HE SEND ME TO TIJUANA AS A CEO OF HIS NEW COMPANY IN TIJUANA I'M GOING TO SCHOOL TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BUSINESS,AND THANKS TO THIS I CAN SEE MY HUSBUND MORE OFTEN IS SAD AND VERY DIFICULT BUT WE ARE GOING TO BE TOGHETHER SOME DAY.GOD KNOWS I'M NOT A BAD PERSON, I DID LIE AND MAKE A MISTAKE,AND I'M NOT SAYING WHAT I DID WAS RIGHT,BUT I'M HUMAN
PLEASE HELP TO CHANGE THIS LAWS THAT AFECT EVERY BODY, WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES AND DESERVE A SECOND CHANCE.

I am an ESL teacher in a high school in Houston. I have an idea that if we could offer amnesty or a visa or something to our undocumented students when they graduate from high school, that would be an incentive for them to stay in school. We loose so many of our Hispanic students between freshman and senior year - it's heartbreaking. I had a 13 year old come to me yesterday, with tears in his eyes, saying he wanted papers and would I help him. I am compelled to help. I am going to write every organization I can find to try to find a solution. The fact is if a student has completed high school they have proven many things. First, they have to ahve learned English. Second, they have to have passed all their subjects and TAAS (Texas mandated exam - in English). They also have proven they are educable and hard working. Please send me any resources or ideas you may have on where I can begin this long journey to find some solution for this, and other students.

Thank you merbar_2000@yahoo.com

Yesterday, February 29, 2000, My brother was denied any form of relief from removal proceedings from the INS. He has been in this country since he was a small. He is a resident alien but also has a record from ten years ago. Since then he had gotten married and now has a three year old son and lived a normal life in New Jersey. In the end of January of this year he went on vacation with his family to the Philippines and upon his return home to the US, he was detained in the port of entry in Newark NJ by the INS because of the IIRAIRA reform which he was not aware of at the time. He has since been incarcerated in the worst county facility in New Jersey and he is amongst the general population of the correctional facility. We are planning to appeal his case, we also discovered on the same day that he was also denied parole, in other words the INS will not allow him to go home to await his appeal. His wife is an Italian-American United States Citizen and his son is also a United States Citizen. This amendment to this law that was passed in '96 has devastated my family. My brother has been stripped of his rights. Is this America?? Does anyone at INS have a clue as to what the statue of liberty stands for?? If anyone has any advice that they can give to help us or suggest an angle or new strategy or aware of any counsel that would benefit this case, please advise. Thank-you. Kathryn Gorman kathgorman1@aol.com

the new law has also given the ins officers unprecendeted power to make bad judgements and poor decisions, to the detriment of their image, and they seemingly are not fair when they deal with those who are not in a financial position to hire attorneys.

Hello Everyone,
My uncle came to America from Romania. He entered illegaly through Canada because there was no other way for him to get in. He is in his mid-twenties, and almost all of his family, except for his older brother, is here in America. Romania is a communist country and becasue of that, it is very hard to liver there. I have visited a few times myself and the conditions there are bad. A regular income for a family of 6-7 children is about 30-35 dollars a month. My uncle came here because
1. He was oppresed by the communism
2. He wanted a better life
3. It is very hard to survive there
and a lot of other reasons.
Mu uncle was caught a couple months ago while he was coming from southern california with another uncle of mine. He has gone to court a couple of times, but this thursday (3-2-00) he was ordered to go to court and they will decided now whether he is to be sent back to Romania. What are the chances that he will not be sent? Can anyone help.
Thank you in advance.
P.s. He also left because of the problems in Kosovo because Romania is very close to the conflict there.

I was the one that wrote about mu uncle from Romania. I forgot to include my address, so here it is. Angelbaby2121@Hotmail.com if anyone can help, please, please write to me.
Thanks you so much.

hello my name is niina,im a 21 yr. old american citizen.i have been married to my husband,a pakistani man,for almost 2 years now.he was deported and told to be out of the country by feb.17 2000.he left like he was instructed,and ever since it has been very very hard on me and my daughter.united states is trying to lower the amount of people on welfare but for taking my husband away from me they are about to put two more people on it.it makes me sick how they treat people!i am a u.s. citizen and tax payer(so i guess i pay their bills)my husband has owned over 3 businesses in the u.s.a. which also payed taxes,and employed other u.s. citizens,he never once commited a crime,and unlike most of the men in america my husband took awsome care of our daughter and all the ins can do is make another case of a child not being able to have her father around.now he atleast gets a chance to reenter and be with me but what about all these other people suffering,my heart goes out to them and i wanna do whatever i can to help.

I am looking for my humanly right to be with my husband. The U.S says he can't come here. Canada "now" says I can't go ther, even though I was just there four months ago. He has done his time for his crime, then he was deported. He wavied his rights to fght deportation because he had just done three years and he was ready for his freedom. He didn't want to have to sit and wait for who knows how long and still be deported. He deeply regrets waiving his rights now. He is forty-two years old. His family moved here (U.S), from Canada when he was three years old. They still reside here. Along with myself (his wife), a twenty-one year old daughter, a 19 year-old son, from a previous marriage, and our thirteen-year old daughter and twelve-year old son. He was released from prison in October of 97, (for drug charges), deported to his "birthplace" only, not his "home", not knowing a single soul. He didn't even get his gate money because he was pulled from prison and taken to INS. So he entered Canada, penniless, homeless, and all alone to fan for himself. The two federal agents who met him at the airport, each gave him $2.00 and wished him luck. He ended up coming back to the U.S.(home) to be with his family, only to get caught for being here, and did eight more months in prison for parole violation and was deported once again in July of 99. I myself have two misdemeanor drug charges. I was allowed to enter Canada in September of 99, for a visit. Then the 10th of February 2000, my son and I drove 720 miles one way to see my husband, only to be denied (inadmissable) because of my misdemeanors. Yet I was allowed through only four months ago. I was also told not to try and come through for three years.
As of now my husband is working full time, is doing great for himself, yet we can't get together from either side of the border. Where do we go from here? Maybe you can refer me to someone who can direct us in the right direction to fight for our family reunification.

On Jan. 30th, my husband, 3 yr. old son and I were returning from a short trip to the Phillipines (my husband's homeland). He was detained at the airport, told that because of a 1991 conviction, he could not go home and would face deportation. In 1991, my husband was going through a rough time with his parent's divorce...this was before we met. He began having a casula relationship with a minor (he was 21 and she was 15). When the girl's mother found out, she charged my husband with sexual assault. In the end, he was convicted of criminal sexual contact and was sentenced to out-patient counselling and probation...NO JAIL TIME. Since that time, he has been an honorable and upstanding citizen, paid his taxes, gas been gainfully employed and most importantly, has been the best father to our son. My husband came to the US when he was 9 yrs. old. He played football and baseball in high school like any American kid. How can the INS fathom tearing a family apart? And because he was picked up at the entry point, he is subject to mandatory detention? I just don't get it....not only our emotional turmoil, but now we are faced with defaulting on our mortgage, which will leave my son and myself where? I agree that there are some people that are TRUE threats to society, but why can't INS use their authority to use discretion in certain cases? People who are truly criminals will continue to commit crimes, but people like my husband who made a mistake years ago and has never done anything else but what is good and honest, are NOT CRIMINALS.

If anyone can help overturn this law, please do.....we are desperate.

My name is Judy Perez, my father has been incarcerated by INS since January 21, 2000. He is facing deportation for mistakes he made 21 years ago. I do not understand how people can be so inhumane and tear families apart without blinking an eye. How can this be happening in America? This country critizes other countries about the way they treat people and yet they are doing the same if not worse. My father has been in this country since 1968. He is now 61 years old and suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure. Currently he is being detained in Gadsden, Alabama, the third jail he has been to since his apprehension by INS officials in January. They have treated him worse than a terrorist. How can this be? We have all types of criminals walking the streets everyday. The criminal have more rights than the people being held by INS. My dad is suffering a great deal, not to mention my mother. I see her pain everyday. I hear the pain in my father's voice when he calls. Where is the logic in this law? What right do they have to make people pay for mistakes they've already paid for? Where is democracy? Congress and Bill Clinton need to know that they have, by approving this law, devasted the lives of the individuals they have taken as well as the lives of their families. They must change this law. It doesn't make sense to tear people apart for errors they committed in the past and for which they have paid for. Any information or assistance you can offer to help me free my father would be greatly appreciated. Right now, all we want is for my dad to be home until he has his hearing and his situation is resolved. INS does not care about this, but my family and I will not give up.

Hi I am an Permanent Resident Alien and have lived in the U.S. for the past 19yrs. I am currently 21. I submitted my petition for naturalization in 1999 and went for my interview in Jan/2000. I passed the english and history portion, and when asked about prior arrests I stated that I had been arrested for petty theft shoplifting in 1995 when I was 17yrs. old. Because of this arrest, I was denied my naturalization and the Chief Adjudications Officer is reviewing my case to see if it is a deportable offense. I am really scared because I have never lived in Mexico since I came over here 19yrs ago. I am 21, a college graduate, pursuing my Master's degree in Int'l Relations at Minnesota State University. I am in the process of starting a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping the Hispanic community of Mankato, MN. I have been law-abiding and it is crazy that this one act that I commited when I was 17 might take away all that I have accomplished. I shoplifted 2 jeans, a shirt and a belt (total $102.00). I didn't spend any time in jail, paid a $300 fine and that was it. Now five years later it could be the deciding factor whether I can pursue my dreams of working with the State Dept. as a Foreign Service Officer, which is what I have always dreamed of, or be deported. It is just sad that this country will be deporting someone who loves America and the democratic values for which it stands. Not only that, but I know that I would be able to contribute so much to this country.

Please don't deport me...

My name is Ellen I am a U.S. citizen age 25. After reading some of these horror stories I hope that perhaps some one could help give me some adivse. Back in the fall of 99' I met a man from morocco and have now fallin in love with him. We want to get married. I never dreamed in all my life that getting married would be so much trouble! His visa has been exspired for 90 days and he enter the U.S. with a crewman visa. It has been suggested that he go back to morocco and I file for a fiance' visa. The problem is I do not meet the income requirements. We are afraid that if he goes back he will not be able to get back into the U.S. Even if we marry we still have to meet the income requirements. So what do we do? I have read and heard the stories about couples being seperated for years. So if anyone has any advise or suggestion please help!

To Everybody Who Might Come Across This Letter:
I just stumbled across this website while I was taking it easy in my office today
and am very saddened by what I have read.
As a foreigner/ethnic minority myself, I feel very strongly about the cruelty, discrimination,
and racism that immigrants experience in this country.
I believe that what breeds these negative attitudes in this country is ignorance. Intolerance is an offshoot of
this ailment. For example, I look back in amazement
at my American high school education. In English class, all we ever read were books by white
Western Europeans and Americans, most of them male, and most of them written ages ago. I think
that the treatment of immigrants, who have much less power than the natives here
would be so much more improved if not only the INS officials but the whole
country were aware of the difficulty of immigrant experiences and of
ethnic minorities, especially about people whose economic and social status
make them more vulnerable.
Are there organized efforts to bring the reality of this diverse American
experience into the larger consciousness of Americans?
I would really like to see a powerful movement to this end. It is my
prayer, and I think it would really change this country.
-Eri

My boyfriend, Alain, left the U.S. around this time last year. The waiting around for the INS to come for him was killing him inside. Alain is now 26, and lived in the U.S. since he was eleven. When he was a senior in (1993) high school he got into some trouble with the law, he went to court, and did his time. Years later after taking courses abroad Alain returns home to the U.S. to be taken and questioned by the INS. We had no idea of this law ... i mean how can you make a law retroactive. We do not try U.S. citizens for the same crime twice, but because Alain and others like him are not citizens they can be charged for the same crime twice. i have written my state representative and the response i get is they are working on abill, or janet reno is working on some bill, but how come we never hear about this bill ... or how it's coming along. this law has changed my lifelong plans, to marry the one i love, to live here in the U.S together. not only has it hurt me and my family, but it's torn his parents apart. Alain is now living in a country he hasn't lived in since the age of eleven. he built a life here in the states and it's only fair that the retoactivity of the 96 law be abolished, so that ALian, and others like him, can come home.

I am a native-born US citizen (actually a WASP) who is engaged to a very nice women from a Central American nation. I am currently going through the long, painful, process of obtaining a financee visa. While my story certainly doesn't have the tragic proportions of many of the stories here (I expect a happy ending), I have been deeply shocked an disturbed by how little respect my government has for my civil rights and the rights of my future wife. It is offensive that I must fill out mounds of papers, deal with an inaccessible and insensitive bureauacracy, and be kept waiting for unreasonable lengths of time because the US Congress and Executive Branch combined have so effectively emasculated the INS' service functions that routine bureaucratic procedures drag on for months. We are both well-educated, financially solvent professionals who in no way can be considered suspicious or a threat to the security or cultural stability of this great nation. My fiancee will become a productive member of society the minute she sets foot on US soil. Of course we understand that certain checks must be made to prevent illegal immigration, marriage fraud, and mail-order bride abuse, but do these checks really require upto six months of waiting? Is it unreasonable to expect the INS to provide enough qualified people to answer our questions over the telephone? My experiences can only lead me to the conclusion that IIRAIRA is a threat to the fundamental rights of every American. Who we marry, when we marry, where we marry should be our decision. The US government has elevated itself to the arrogant position of deciding whether a US citizen can or can't marry a foreign national, and worst of all, it takes a completely unreasonable amount of time to make the decision. I have come to the conclusion that the function of the INS is "to prevent legal immigration". This bill has made victims of people who want to work within the system while having a dubious effect on illegal immigration. Indeed, it probably encourages a lot of people to break the law who might otherwise work within the system.

I've entered and been living legally in the U.S. for a little over 8 yrs now. As a citizen of a (middle Eastern) country that I have never lived in (I was born and raised to immigrants to a country other than the U.S.), this new law makes me a "deportable Alien" now - as I was told by an immigration officer during the denial of my citizenship application.

In 1995, I had a misdemeanor 2 nd degree arrest ("open carrying weapon" = my husband's registered gun was accidentily in the car). It feels to me that as long as I'm deportable, I'm inelligable for citizenship, and vice versa.

There must be a way to "rehabilate" or proof that one is not inelligable or deserving of deportation only. Samstag@aol.com

My wife was brought to this country from Mexico when she was a young girl, she went to school here and then her parents divorced. She went back to Mexico until she was 18, it was then that i met her. We have been together now for 10 yrs, we have 3 children, but when it was time to file to get her papers, i was a full time student( and a disabled veteran)we simply could not afford the INS fees to process the paperwork.I went through the DAV and they in turn put me in touch with Congreessman Martin Frost's office, his office helped me get the original filing fee waived, we were told it could take 6 months to a year before we would hear from INS. We waited and when we hadn't heard anything we called INS, i was told they they didn't have anything on my wife, so we went back to MrFrosts office and tried again, we were told the same thing, so we waited , this is when the new law took effect in 96. I had no idea about the change in law now we have been told that if she tries to get her papers, she would have to leave this country for up to 10 yrs. We have three children, how can it benefit any family member if they send her back to Mexico? I would have to quite my job to take care of my kids (10,4,1 1/2) or they would have to go with her, they are US citizens and be away from me. To me this is unacceptable !! If anyone can offer me some help i would deeply appriciate any advice given !!!!
I was told that INS doesn't process files unless all money is included, i do not know if this is true but why else would they not have a record?? If any one has any info i would gladly correspond, my case is a bit more involved but this is it in a nutshell, please contact me if you have any advice. Thank You cklove77@hotmail.com

My son was adopted from Brazil when he was 8. When he was a month from becoming 18 a filed fro hime to become a citizen this included $80.00 fee.About three months after we filed he was told now taht he is 18 he must fiel a different form. He got in trouble for selling drigs and never filed. He was to be deported i talked to the Brazial Embassadores office and they are not allowing him travel papers. Now the real problem is he can spend years in jail. The government has funds for everything I can't afford a good attorney so he will sit. Any help would be appreicated.

My husband, Huber A. Gil was deported in June of 1999 for an infraction that happened in 1992. My life has been a living hell ever since May 21,1999 when Immigration took my husband and detained him for deportation. I would never have thought something like this could happen in America. My husband and I love each other very much and we both feel like we are dying without each other. This law is so unjust and is only destroying lifes and families,there is no justice in it. The sad thing is that Immigration is using this law to deport human beings that are coming to them trying to do the right thing. Most of the human beings ( not file #'s, as my husband has been referred as, so many times)have made mistakes and turned their lifes around and become productive parts of society. Immigration is not doing the leg work tp get the real criminals , they are getting the individuals that are coming to them to do the right thing. I will be graduating in may with a BA in Education and my prayer is that my husband will be there to see me graduate. The sad thing is we were planning to start a family after I graduated and this is now on hold. Under all the stress I still managed to make the President's list last semester with a 4.0. This is also become a physical, mental and financial strain.Our lifes have been put on hold ,but are passing us by at the same time. We are missing out on some much that we should be sharing together. Our 3rd year Anniversary was October 26 and we spent it alone without each other, not by choice ,but because of the american Government and this uncostitutional law. I have so much to tell about what has happened to me and my husband since May 21,1999 it is just to much to write, but I want our story told. The american people need to be made aware and they should be very scared of this law. Ilove my husband and nothing can keep us from loving each other. We may not be together, but we are always in each others hearts. I will never stop fighting for my husbands return or to get this unjust law changed. Me,My family and our friends stand behind my husband and support him 100% and if you could meet him you would understand why.

Sincerely,
Lisa C. Gil

To everyone affected,

I know all to well the harsh effect of the immigration laws enacted in 1996. I stand to lose my family, friends, and identity. I urge everyone that reads this letter to direct their efforts toward congress. We can change the laws if we work together. Just read some of the stories here, most people affected don't have a clue as to what is going on. Become informed, research the laws, and follow the bills in congress. Most importantly, take action and voice your opinion. Already the tide is turning, we can not afford to let up our efforts now! Stop sulking in self-pity, denial, or what ever it is that is stopping you from making a difference! Keep God in your hearts and be persistent. A very special thank you to all those men and women fighting this attrocity at the front lines. They are not just fighting for mine and your family, but for truth and justice. Thank you to Micasa Su Casa for giving us a forum from which we can fight these wrongs. To the AILA, ACLU, CIEJ, and to the Immigration Forum for fighting for our cause. And to all the others whom I didn't mention I'm sorry, and God Bless you.
TAKE ACTION NOW! FIX 96!

We are a family of 4 , 3 of us are US citizen and my wife is from Venezuela . We have 2 kids one 9 years old and one 5 years old . We were married 6 years ago . When this "GREAT INVENTION" of the Immigration Law procedures were more easy to follow in order to have the pertinent documents done . As today 29 jan. 2000 my wife is under deportation procedure in the next 20 days . Because our layer failed to place her documents in the proper office at the proper time . We have a son ( Andres 9 years old ) that is a patient of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)that needs his treatment and medication that is going to suffer all this if he has to leave to Venezuela with his mother and sister . We were married in Puerto Rico where we have our home and a very stable family relationship but the INS insist in deporting my wife even having our son condition indicated as an extreme hardship by health proffesional fron the government and the private sector .
As you can see we need all the help we can get on this one . You can agree with me that Venezuela in not the proper place to establish the residence of my family . First his condition in not known in this country and the madication needed is not available . His Constitutional Rights are being violated by the INS when they are forcing my wife to leave Puerto Rico . There are no word that can describe how I feel deep inside . Any advice can be sent to hiramkaliman@yahoo.com
HELP ME ...our lawyer fail..and he does not want to accept his reponsability ..I feel lost and stranded in the desert of a tangle burocracy that has no way out .
It is unfair to deal with immigrants this way ...HELP

Dear members,
I write to you because my life is about to change, not only because of the new law enacted in 1996, but also because of the means by which it is used to cover up racist practices throughout the country. My brother was accused of a crime two years ago. He was appointed a public defender, who had cheated him, lied to him, used his naive, innocent adolescent soul to purposefully kick him out of the United States. He is innocent, but plead guilty to second-degree sexual assault by advice of his attorney. He did not know anything about the new law, nor was the possibility of deportation explained to him. He was given nine months in jail, but was released after one month. INS picked him up, and he is now being held nine hundred miles away from his family in Oakdale, Louisiana pending deportation hearings. He has not yet given legal representation because his family cannot afford legal services from that distance. We cannot even visit him. All we ask for is a chance to get into the court room again and have a trial for his case. Due to this law, he was be sent back to Jamaica when all of his family is here. I do not know what we can do now. I plea for your support to help him.

Gervan Williams
Poughkeepsie, NY

my husband has been locked up since feb 2nd,1999 due to the immigration act of 1996.he traveled out of country with a valid passport and alien card, on his way back the ins officer told him that he was not suppose to be out of country because of offense of 1994 which does not have a jail term or jail suspension. he was placed on a two years probation. he left the country for 10days. when he appeared ar hearing on 2/2/99 he was placed in removal status by the ins judge.myself and 4children are US citizens . i have seriuos health problem which need an immediate attention, i could not go for the therapy because i will be home for at least 6months but the is no financial help from anyone including morgage any many other expenses.my husband filed a habeas corpus in nov,1999 and it's still pending. he previously applied for citizenship twice and he was denied due to the same reason. bia denied him as well.it very frastrating after spending over $10,000.00 to the attorney.

My local school district - Woodridge Illinois-- has looked up each student's birth certificate, and has identified all immigrants. They have sent a letter to all immigrant parents stating:

     1) the school district does not have your child's visa
     2) if you don't have a visa- contact INS
     3) Otherwise, bring in your visa immediately
     4) if you fail to provide a visa, you child will not be allowed to enroll for the 2000-20001 school year.

    Can they do that? They are singling out immigrants for threats with exclusion from education based on the child's race/color/national origin, while they are not making the same threats to children who happended to be born in the states. A couple of examples show how ludicrous the district's policy is. First, imagine that a child was born in Mexico, or England, and came here at age 8, and his parents became citizens so that he also became a citizen-- that child must produce a visa or be expelled. Consider a second example. Imagine that a child was born in the U.S., the parents moved to England or Mexico, and the child became a naturalized citizen there. If that child comes back to the U.S. on a tourist visa, or other any other visa, that child can enroll in school and is not asked to prove visa status.      What is the differece in the two examples? The only difference is where the child was born. Is this not National origin discrimination?    Can anyone offer help in getting my school district to see the discrimination they are committing. If you have help, or advise, please e-mail me at dmanjarres@rosenschan.com Thank you.

many people from certain parts of africa are more affected more than other ethnic groups. myself and five american children have been suffering since feb,1999, when husband had locked up by the INS for something that happened in 1994. he was never sent to jail nor jail suspension he was placed on 2yrs probation that he completed without any violation. I believe people from certain parts of africa are been disciminated against. when will americans forgive other people.especially people that are surrounded by many american citizens.it a same that president clinton could signed a bill that is affecting many american born children by foreign parents.no one is a saint the country preached humanity but they are not practising it.it is time to forgive all these people that are locked up and let them be with their families. someone like me is severely suffering from this bill. what messages is this country sending to the affected american children?.please change this law,!
many good citizens are affected.

On September 18, 1999 I was called to appear as a witness on behalf of a Nicaruguan national incarcerated at the Mira Loma detention facility in Lancaster California. I was shocked and ashamed to find that indigent aliens facing persecution, torture and execution if returned to Nicaragua are routinely denied the effective assistance of counsel in INS removal proceedings. As I sat in the back of the courtroom I saw indigent aliens forced to act as their own attorney. It was pathetic and repugnant to watch highly trained professional government lawyers engage in "legal combat" with desperate indigent aliens with limited English skills in a clearly lopsided adversarial administrative hearing. The INA mandates a "full and fair procedural hearing" for aliens in Witholding of Removal hearings. I do not understand how an indigent alien can be afforded procedural due process without the assistance of a qualified lawyer. I have been in contact with the indigent Nicaraguan alien for several months and he is now in the process of preparing a Board of Immigration appeal by himself without any legal assistance.

I AM AN AMERICAN CITIZEN MARRIED TO A MEXICAN. HE WAS CAUGHT IN 1990 without ANY PAPERS AND WAS ORDERED TO GO TO COURT IN ATLANTA. HE DID NOT GO TO COURT AND THE JUDGE ORDERED HIM DEPORTED. HE HAS LIVED AND WORKED IN THE SAME TOWN FOR THE PAST NINE YEARS.WE WERE MARRIED IN 1996. WE WENT TO IMMIGRATION AND FILED ALL THE PAPERS AND PAYED ALL THE FEES AND FINES THAT WE WERE SUPPOSED TO. WHEN WE WENT FOR OUR INTERVIEW IN JANUARY OF 1999 WE WERE TOLD THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE WHAT THEY WERE GOING TO DO ABOUT THE PREVIOUS ORDER OF DEPORTATION. WE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE NATIONAL VISA CENTER SAYING THAT HE WAS APPROVED FOR A VISA IN APRIL. IN SEPT. WE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM INS SAYING THAT HE WAS DENIED RESIDENCY BECAUSE HE WAS ORDERED DEPORTED. WE ALSO RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE VISA CENTER ASKING WHERE WE WANTED TO GO AND GET HIS VISA. WE WENT TO THE IMMIGRATION OFFICE IN CHARLOTTE NORTH CAROLINA TO SEE WHAT TO DO ABOUT HIS WORK PERMIT THAT WAS ABOUT TO EXPIRE AND THEY ARRESTED HIM AND DEPORTED HIM TO MEXICO.HE HAS BEEN GONE FOR THREEE MONTHS AND I NEED TO KNOW WHAT I CAN DO. I HAVE HIRED A LAWYER AND I NEED FOR THINGS TO MOVE MORE QUICKLY THAN THEY ARE. PLEASE TELL ME WHAT I CAN DO ABOUT MY CREDITORS BECAUSE WE HAVE A MORTGAGE AND CREDIT CARDS AND I HAVE CHILDREN. I AM INTERESTED IN DOING WHATEVER I CAN TO HAVE THIS UNFAIR LAW CHANGED.

I just recently married the father of my child, who is from Honduras. Before I met my husband I was completely unaware and consequently unaffected by immigration laws. Now this issue has consumed a great deal of my time and energy. My husband and I are in the process of trying to secure legal immigrant status for him and we have just come upon one brick wall after another. I have no idea where to go from hear and I wish there was sincer and affordable help for our cause.

I am writing on behalf of my brother Nelson Pires, who is currently facing deportation. My brother was taken into custody by a community sweep that was adminstrated by the Boston Police and INS back in January, 1999. I contacted the INS immediately after the arrest to find out why Nelson was being detained. I knew that my brother had not committed any crime. No logical explanation could be given for his arrest and detention. Of course, the Boston Police and the INS would discover they had no new charges to press against Nelson, however, under the INS Reform Act of 1996, Nelson could be charged with and be deported based on prior cases, even if they had been dismissed at the local courts. Much to my surprise, my brother is being held for deportation under these circumstances.

It sounded ludicrous to me that the INS could do such a thing, but it happens to hundreds of people everyday. Nelson has been held at the Hillsborough County Jail in New Hampshire since the day of his arrest in January, 1999. The facility is located at 445 Willow Street, Manchester, NH 03013. Lack of cooperation at the local courts and at the INS has made it impossible for me to help my brother. These matters combined with the fact that I do not speak English very well and have no knowledge of the legal system has left me hopeless.

If there is anything that this organization can do to help me in this matter, I would truly appreciate. I am determined to see the current immigration law changed.

It pains me greatly to see the great injusice of this law which to me is mindless as it is cruel.This law to begin with was both irresponsibly drafted without a thought to the familes that would be greatly wounded,broken, and shaken by these 1996 immigration laws.I honestly do not know how these individuals who passed these laws can go to sleep at night no doubt the same way they drafted these laws with there eyes closed.The families of these detained immigrants are left with scraps and crumbs to pick up the peices of there lives after the American INS system gets done with these detainees.I do hold Clinton and congress responsible for using Anti-immigrant sentiment and rhetoric as a way to use the immigrant populas as a scapegoat as the means for the 1996 welfare reform.If you look hard enough you do start to see the Government agenda in the way they viciously and aggressively go to the extreme to get there immigrant.Clinton and Congress gave power to the INS to do just about anything you can think of to find an immigrant deportable,they can and do upgrade civil counts that have already been paid for according to the American way.None of that counts for anything anymore were an alien is concerned whether legal or ilegal an Attorney cannot defened his client screaming "Double Jepordy" even though honestly what it is.They stick these poor immigrants in mandatory detention.They are shuffled around day to day to local county and city Jails,and prison facilities,where they are forced to co-mingle with Americas most hardened crimminals.They are subjected to unspeakable cruelties there are no partisians the same inhumane ghastly treatment for all INS detainees.There is alot of needless suffering going on with this very bias and Dinoursour age mentality of a law.Tihs law is a evil mockery of our American constitution.Evil because it diminishes our own American principles when we stomp on someone elses in alienable rights technicaly because they are not American Citizens on paper.Whatever Happened to every man was endowed equally by our creator?(Inalieinable rights )we don't stop being human because we were not all were born in the same countries.There has been too much hurt and devestion brought about from these evil 1996 immigration laws America is a country that shout "Family Unity "and is deep groos negligence of ripping Families apart.The INS is way over crowded they are up to there eye balls with immigrants and you already Know American Jails are over crowded now what that means early release for Ameriacas hardened crimminals because the INS wants to get there immigrant man anyway they can and stupidiously keep All the wrong people locked up !!!!ENOUGH IS ENOUGH it's time for change.My name is Diana I am the Administrative Director of Illinois for the group CIEJ(Citizens and immigrants for equal Justice)#1-630-942-0956 fax1-630-942-0956 E-mail CIEJ@YAHOOIL.COM

Dear Friend,
I am writing because this law has effected my life. I am an american citzen married to a illeagal alien , and because he enter the U.S. ILLEGAL HE IS NOT ALLOWED to recieve a greencard. we hired a lawyer to help him to apply for legal papers ,so that he can live and work in the U.S. because of the 1996 bill ,he was approve by the INS based on being married to a u.s. citizen, but he was not egible for adjustment of status. this kind of law really upsets me,because we
call this country land of the free and freedom of rights. if that is true than were is my rights. my husband and i have a three year old daughter together,what about her rights. if her father cannot get his paper,then one day he may be deported if caught here illegal. how will i be able to support our daughter.i love my husband very much and i dont think that this is fair.

sincerely,
linda

On Tuesday, December 28, 1999, I was waiting for my fiance to return home from his recent visit to Mexico. He had gone to celebrate Christmas with his family because he hadn't been able to do this in 20 years. This is the first year, since he's been in the United States, that he had one full weekend off for the holidays. He is a very hard-working person, who wakes up every morning at 5:00 a.m. to get to work so he could provide for his family. I waited, and waited for him to get home. The time kept passing by. Finally I received a phone call from him telling me that he had been arrested and was going to jail. I then asked him why. He said it is because of my past DWI's. We have been together for almost 5 years and during that time, he has been so responsible, that he won't even drink at home anymore. I then left to Del Rio, TX to pick up his truck, from there I immediately went to San Antonio to try to contact a lawyer, or to see what I could do so that we could spend the New Year together, well, to my surprise, I found out that there was not much I could do until the judge decided to have a hearing. As of right now, I'm still trying to find a way to get him out. I feel this is so injustice. We were supposed to get married soon. I am a teacher for the state of Texas. It is sad to have to think that my future is on hold right now because of this law. It's sad to think that everything I have worked for may be lost because of this law. I just wish there was some form of justice in this case. What happened to Equality? I just pray to God that everything will be ok, and that we will be able to remain here in the United States to live a happy, peaceful life,like it should be.

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...Honest Voices Speak Out About the IIRAIRA Law:

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