Why our immigration policy is broken

[resqgeek]

Marina Alvarez moved to the United States from El Salvador at age 16 to escape sexual abuse. Since then she's learned English, worked hard, payed her taxes, had two children and been an active participant in their education. Last spring, she was pulled over for a minor traffic infraction, and now she's facing deportation. Her only crime...not entering the country legally.

Ms. Alvarez's children, ages 8 and 11, were born here in the US, speak very little Spanish, and know no one in El Salvador. Their mother wants them to stay in the US, even if she can't.

This is what our current immigration policy has become. A woman who has successfully started a new life, who is contributing to our society, can't get a break because she's an illegal immigrant. Her family may well be torn apart. If ever an immigration case begged for amnesty, this is it.

Read more in Marc Fisher's column from today's Washington Post.

Comments

[cryingbaby.livejournal.com]

That is absolutely outrageous. I have a relatively lax attitude towards illegal immigrants. I really feel like if they are working, not committing crime, then they are better than some citizens. But I am not sure how one becomes a US citizen. If she was deported, could she apply for citizenship and come back to the country?

[wubbarub.livejournal.com]

I agree wtih cryingbaby that this is absolutely outrageous. Something needs to be done to allow working, tax-paying people in the U.S., not deport them. I hope the appeal goes through. There is pretty good evidence that she never received the notice of the second hearing. (The article states that the notice is in her court file marked "Returned: Undeliverable.") I'll be praying for her and her family.