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

The following stories and comments are posted from those that were sent to us by way of our Town meeting at the Townhall on this site. If, after listening to these voices, you yourself wish to tell us about how the new immigration law has affected, or perhaps will affect, your life, then join us over at the Townhall to tell us your own story...

Click here to view ARCHIVES ONE, stories posted  from the beginning of our site until June, 1997

Click here to view ARCHIVES TWO, stories posted between June, 1997 and November 1998

Click here to view ARCHIVES THREE, stories posted between December 1998 and April, 1999

Click here to view ARCHIVES FOUR, stories posted between May 1999 and December 1999

February 14, 2001

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

February 5, 2001

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"

February 1, 2001

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

January 31, 2001

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.

January 29, 2000

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.

January 29, 2001

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.          

January 19, 2001

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?

January 18, 2001

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.

January 9, 2001

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.

January 7, 2001

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

January 6, 2001

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

January 5, 2001

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

January 3, 2001

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)    

January 2, 2001

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

December 16, 2000

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

December 11, 2000

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.

December 6, 2000

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

December 1, 2000

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.

November 25, 2000

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.

November 23, 2000

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.

November 22, 2000

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

November 21, 2000

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.

November 20, 2000

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.

November 13, 2000

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

November 13, 2000

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.

November 12, 2000

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?

November 10, 2000

      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.

November 9, 2000

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!

November 7, 2000

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.      

October 29, 2000

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.

October 26, 2000

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...

October 23, 2000

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

October 23, 2000

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

October 17, 2000

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!

October 17, 2000

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.

October 15, 2000

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.

Ocotober 11, 2000

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  !!

October 5, 2000

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

October 5, 2000

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

October 1, 2000

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

September 27, 2000

   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

September 23, 2000

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.

September 20, 2000

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     

September 18, 2000

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.

September 17, 2000

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

September 12, 2000

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.

September 12, 2000

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

September 1, 2000

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

August 21, 2000

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. 

Received August 14, 2000

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

Received August 8, 2000

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!!

Received July 31, 2000

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.

Received July 31, 2000

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

Received July 27, 2000

After living in the U:S for over 40 years , I have been educated and raised a family. I had the misfortune of r