Help for illegals - what about us?

[Nina]

Here's an interesting article that raises several questions for me.

1. How could the illegal immigrant parents have a successful business without social security numbers?

2. How will Cheryl Little, executive director of Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center go about getting driver licenses and work permits for undocumented minors?

3. Why is this story worthy of press coverage when our children are aging out every day and no one takes any notice?

4. How many E2 & L1 children achieve extaordinary academic success, but still have to leave their families at 21?


I have written to Julia Preston of the New York Times asking her to do a piece on the disgusting treatment of our children. I'm about to contact Cheryl Little to see if she can get work permits for my kids. Will keep you posted.

Here's the article;


Students’ Family Members Are Deported

By TERRY AGUAYO and JULIA PRESTON
Published: October 31, 2007
MIAMI, Oct. 30 — The parents and grandmother of two college students in Miami whose fight for legal immigration status came to symbolize the hopes of illegal immigrant students were deported to Colombia on Tuesday.

The parents, Julio César Gómez and his wife, Liliana, arrived at Miami International Airport in the morning and were placed by federal agents on a commercial flight to Bogotá. With them was Mr. Gómez’s mother, Carmen Elisa Perilla de Gómez, 84. They were deported after the family’s final appeal failed this month in a petition for political asylum first presented in 1992.

Mr. and Mrs. Gómez are the parents of Juan Sebastián Gómez, 18, and his brother Alejandro, 20, both born in Colombia, whose illegal status became publicly known when the family was first detained by immigration agents on July 25. Classmates of Juan at Miami Killian Senior High School, citing his exceptional academic performance, rallied the support of federal lawmakers, winning a temporary reprieve from deportation for the two young men.

The Gómez brothers became public faces for hundreds of thousands students nationwide who are illegal immigrants and could benefit if Congress adopted legislation to give them legal status. The most recent effort, a bill sponsored by Senator Richard J. Durbin, Democrat of Illinois, failed to pass a procedural test vote last week in the Senate.

The deportation of the Gómez parents and grandmother, the boys’ only immediate family in the United States, left it clear that the authorities would not extend any special protection to parents even if their children were to obtain legal status as students.

It left Juan and Alejandro with no means of economic support while they attend Miami Dade College, said Cheryl Little, the executive director of the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center, a legal group representing the brothers. Ms. Little said she was working to obtain driver’s licenses and work permits for the youths so they could find jobs to pay for their studies.

A statement by Immigration and Customs Enforcement said, “The family had full due process of law and exhausted all legal avenues of relief.” Family members “self-deported” after officials allowed them time to put their affairs in order, the statement said.

After coming to the United States as tourists in 1990, Mr. and Mrs. Gómez stayed beyond the terms of their visas, starting a successful catering business. Mr. Gómez sought asylum, saying he faced threats from leftist guerrillas in Colombia because of his participation in a labor union there.

According to court papers, a brother of Mr. Gómez was assassinated by guerrillas in 1987, and in recent years a niece and a nephew were murdered. On Oct. 19, the Board of Immigration Appeals declined to reopen the case.

Juan Gómez, who was 2 when his parents arrived in Florida, drew attention by earning a 3.96 high school grade point average and receiving the highest possible score on 11 Advanced Placement examinations.

Representative Lincoln Diaz-Balart, Republican of Florida, and Senator Christopher J. Dodd, Democrat of Connecticut and a presidential candidate, presented separate private bills on behalf of the brothers, which resulted in the suspension of their deportation until 2009.

At the airport on Tuesday, the brothers were silent and calm, and their father appeared resigned, while their mother wept as she said goodbye to her sons. Mrs. Perilla de Gómez, who came to the United States in 1991, arrived in a wheelchair.

“It makes me sad to see that this country separates families,” Mrs. Gómez said. “We’ve never been separated.”

Mr. Gómez defended the United States. “This is the best country in the world,” he said. “I will continue to say that.”

The Durbin bill that was defeated last week excluded illegal immigrant parents from any benefits under the measure, which would have given legal status to high school graduates who finished two years of college or military service. Opponents said it was an amnesty for immigrant lawbreakers that could draw millions of new immigrants to the United States.

Terry Aguayo reported from Miami and Julie Preston from New York.

[jay]

This sounds like a post from another forum when we had a heated debate regarding this........ Illegals V's Legals
jayne

[Sharon]

This makes me mad, especially as we jump through hoops and they improbably did not register the business or pay any taxes, unlike us. there has got to be some sort of solution to the illegal immigrant problem and sort us lot out at the same time if only we knew how to

[chris]

Sahron,
You may very well find that they did run an above board business and did pay taxes. That has been said many times for the other illegals. I remember one woman in LA who was proud of the fect that she ran 3 successful businesses and paid taxes, yet was illegal. It say more about the dysfunctional federal govt where depts do not speak to one another and this is how these anomalies thrive.
Only today I was reading an online article about how states are tightening up on illegals and making it more difficult for them to function. Unfortunately, as we know to our cost in FL, the legals get caught up in it and are persecuted as a result (FL driving licences is one example).
I too would be very interested in how Ms Little will succeed in getting work permits and licences for them. Perhaps she can then share this knowledge so that the kids of E and L visas who are legal but not allowed to work can benefit.

[Nina]

I too would be very interested in how Ms Little will succeed in getting work permits and licences for them. Perhaps she can then share this knowledge so that the kids of E and L visas who are legal but not allowed to work can benefit.[/QUOTE]

Exactly my point, Chris. I have written to Ms. Little. Anyone want to place bets on her not replying?

Nina

[DEE F]

{quote}Juan Gómez, who was 2 when his parents arrived in Florida, drew attention by earning a 3.96 high school grade point average and receiving the highest possible score on 11 Advanced Placement examinations.{unquote}


Take a look at that paragraph,this child was 2 years old when he came here,it wasnt his fault,just like all the countless other kids who have been brought here through no fault of heir own,both legal and illegal!!!!!!!!!!!!It is not their fault,and to hear so many of us keep saying they should be sent back ,good riddance etc etc,in my mind makes us no better,it is not the kids at fault,surely as Chris says the govt should be held responsible for allowing it to happen in the first place,I personally feel heartily sorry for these kids and others like em,I think it is disgusting that they have been deported,and also amazing after America has spent thousands of dollars educating them over the years!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Dee xx

[Nina]

That is absolutely the point, Dee. The difference is that the illegals have a lot of very influential people bending over backwards to help them and we do not. Of course, this situation is a tragedy, no family should have to be broken up when solutions can be found. All the children who were brought here and have stayed in school and inside the law should be allowed to stay and follow their dreams. We have to find a way to stop all these young lives from being ruined.

Nina.

[britcan]

welcome to America!!!

[Susie]

That is absolutely the point, Dee. The difference is that the illegals have a lot of very influential people bending over backwards to help them and we do not. Of course, this situation is a tragedy, no family should have to be broken up when solutions can be found. All the children who were brought here and have stayed in school and inside the law should be allowed to stay and follow their dreams. We have to find a way to stop all these young lives from being ruined.

Nina.

Yes your right,

I am working on Durbin's office to try and encourage his office to amend the Dream act so it is not seen as an amnesty and include E 2 children

The illegal children have no choice where they are brought to live and Like the E 2 children should have a pathway to a green card. The illegal parents should not be allowed to get a green card through their children or amnesty.

The parents should be allowed to stay in teh US untill their children are 21years old. The parents should be made to return to their home country and then their children could then petition for them to return to the USA, at least that way is fair, making them wait in line like legal immigrants have to.

The children should also sign affidavids of support of their parents so when they return to the USA, the parents can not sponge of medicaid or at tax payers expense.

This is just imho, trying to find a resolution to the Dream act, as it is going nowhere at the moment.

[Nina]

Susie,

If only Dick Durbin and his cronies would realize they'd have a much better chance of getting the DREAM Act through the Senate if they would include children who are here legally. DUH!

They could claim all the accolades for bringing about sweeping immigration reform that would help to keep the brightest and the best of the immigrant children here, so the future of the U.S. economy can be viewed with new confidence.

Keep plugging away - eventually they will see that what we propose makes perfect sense.

Nina.

[Susie]

Susie,

If only Dick Durbin and his cronies would realize they'd have a much better chance of getting the DREAM Act through the Senate if they would include children who are here legally. DUH!

They could claim all the accolades for bringing about sweeping immigration reform that would help to keep the brightest and the best of the immigrant children here, so the future of the U.S. economy can be viewed with new confidence.

Keep plugging away - eventually they will see that what we propose makes perfect sense.

Nina.

Your so right,

I am now bl--dy mad, cos I have left two messages and they have not botherred to return my call, so here goes call number 3 !! lets see what happens

[Susie]

please all feel free to bombard him with calls




http://durbin.senate.gov/contact.cfm

[kirtida8]

Have done. Will await a response, although it does say he will only reply to Illinois residents!

[Sharon]

Susie,

If only Dick Durbin and his cronies would realize they'd have a much better chance of getting the DREAM Act through the Senate if they would include children who are here legally. DUH!

They could claim all the accolades for bringing about sweeping immigration reform that would help to keep the brightest and the best of the immigrant children here, so the future of the U.S. economy can be viewed with new confidence.

Keep plugging away - eventually they will see that what we propose makes perfect sense.

Nina.


Yes agree very good idea and keep plugging away. Bit by bit the words and messages will get out just look at how many illegals have crawled out of the woodwork

[Susie]

Susie,

If only Dick Durbin and his cronies would realize they'd have a much better chance of getting the DREAM Act through the Senate if they would include children who are here legally. DUH!

They could claim all the accolades for bringing about sweeping immigration reform that would help to keep the brightest and the best of the immigrant children here, so the future of the U.S. economy can be viewed with new confidence.

Keep plugging away - eventually they will see that what we propose makes perfect sense.

Nina.

I have left a third message and still waiting a reply, I will not give up and will follow up next week and continue to do so until they do return my call.

The Dream act is seen as an amnesty, and must not be seen as such to get support.

I do believe the illegal children should be able to obtain a green card, however they should NOT be allowed to sponsor their parents for a green card unless (once the children are 21 years old) their parents go back to their home country, and apply and wait in line like the rest of us. The parents should also pay a fine and back taxes before being allowed to apply for green card.

The Dream act should have provision to protect legal children aging out, no matter what visa they entered the us on, imho

[Nina]

Here is my letter;

Hello Julia,

I read with interest your article re; the Gomez brothers and the plight
of their family. I was curious as to how the illegal immigrant parents had managed to set up a successful business without social security numbers, and how Cheryl Little of the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center would go about getting driver liceses for undocumented minors. I also wondered if you would be interested in doing a piece on those of us who come here legally,
invest our money, employ U.S. citizens and still have no path to permanent residence? We live on a rollercoaster of uncertainty in case renewal of our visas is denied and we stand to lose everything. My daughters had no choice in the decision to come here, just like the children of illegal immigrants, but they must return to our home country when they turn twenty one, with their college education unfinished and their dreams of a future in America shattered. To say nothing of the trauma of being forcibly seperated from their family, friends and home. Congresswoman Heather Wilson recognized the
desperate plight of E2 investors and introduced her bill H.R.2310, to address the issues, in May of this year. Sadly, the bill has received only a tiny fraction of the publicity given to the DREAM Act and currently languishes at sub-committee level for lack of sponsors. America needs entrepreneurs but, until E2 investors are welcomed and given the recognition they deserve for the contribution they make, they will start to take their families, and their money, to countries which appreciate them. Are you willing to help us raise
awareness of our situation and the bill that could help us to realize our dreams and those of our children? I hope the answer is yes.

Thank you

And here is the reply;

Thank you for your interesting note. To reply to your two
questions, as I wrote in my article, Juan and Alex Gomez have
temporary legal status to remain in the United States through a
private bill that was introduced on their behalf in the Senate, by
Christopher Dodd of Connecticut. The practical result of that bill,
and another one introduced for them in the House by Rep. Lincoln Diaz
Balart of Florida, is that the boys' deportation is stayed until
2009. They are entitled to work and obtain driver's licenses while
they remain here.
I am very sorry to hear about your troubles with the E-2
visa. This is a new and distressing problem to add to the seemingly
endless list of travails that immigrants faced in the United States
immigration system. How old are your daughters now?
I would write about this situation if Heather Wilson's bill
comes up for consideration. What is its status at this point?
Thanks and best,
Julia Preston

Amd my response;

Dear Julia,

I'd like to sincerely thank you for replying - most of my emails to journalist, congresspeople etc. elicit no response whatsoever.

My daughters are aged 18 and 14, so you can imagine how much pressure we are under to get the E2 rules reformed in the near future. I Know many families whose children have already 'aged out' and the distress this causes is indescribable. Many families who could have had a happy and productive life in America simply give up and go home rather that be separated.

Heather Wilson's bill is at sub-committee level and will remain there until awareness of this situation is raised and congressmen/women come forward to co-sponsor it. Obviously, this won't happen if they don't know about it, so round and round we go, trying and failing to get someone in a position of authority to hear our voice.

We need to get this information out there so the American people can bring pressure to bear on their representatives. Each and every person I have told about this situation is appalled - they assume that, because we have a business and employ citizens, that we must be on green cards. They are speechless when they discover that people who contribute to the community are treated like illegal immigrants, while the children of actual illegal immigrants are being offered a path to citizenship!! We played by the rules and are paying a terrible price. Please don't wait to help us, we need to get this important issue out there now.

thank you,

[kirtida8]

Well done Nina. A brilliant initial letter and even better response to her response. Lets hope that she does take up the baton and gets Heather's bill out from the sub-committee stage. At least then we will have some hope of getting changes made of any kind. :clap:

[DEE F]

That is a good letter and responce Nina,however have you tried sending the same to the Britsh MP,s,remember here we cant vote,and I honestly believe we are fighting a losing battle with Americans,but the Tories and Labour want our votes,of which we are entitled to give,also remember it was Tony Blair who got the EAD for us,its got to be worth a shot.

Dee xx

[britcan]

here here...

[Nina]

I'll give it a go, Dee, but I'm not convinced that British MP's generally would be prepared to try to change American laws. After all, they have enough problems of their own and it's always dodgy telling people what to do in their own country. Having said that, I'm not one to leave any stone unturned, so I'll see if I can get any response.

Nina.

[DEE F]

Good for you,I will write as well.

Dee x

[SimonSays]

Just a quick comment, slightly o/t.

I have noticed that some US-based Brits lucky enough to have a green card completely slam anyone asking questions about illegal overstays, work etc, calling them fraudsters. But the fact is that illegally overstaying their visa waiver is often the only realistic opportunity many Brits, Irish etc have of realising their dream of living in the states for a year or more. If only there was some kind of visa that allowed people to save up enough money to stay for a year or more without working.

For many, an overstay is literally the chance of a lifetime. When they finally leave, they won't be allowed back.

[anniefromessex]

Nina, well done you!!! I know its a long hard road but with people like you fighting the cause then perhaps everybody might stand a chance in the future. I feel like Dee in respect of kids not having a say in the matter of where they go and really feel for the kids of illegals especially when they excel at school but I really cannot understand Americas stance on legals (of whatever nationality) who invest in their country, pay taxes etc etc - the mind boggles. Carry on the good work Nina, good luck!!

Love Anniexxx

[Susie]

Just a quick comment, slightly o/t.

I have noticed that some US-based Brits lucky enough to have a green card completely slam anyone asking questions about illegal overstays, work etc, calling them fraudsters. But the fact is that illegally overstaying their visa waiver is often the only realistic opportunity many Brits, Irish etc have of realising their dream of living in the states for a year or more. If only there was some kind of visa that allowed people to save up enough money to stay for a year or more without working.

For many, an overstay is literally the chance of a lifetime. When they finally leave, they won't be allowed back.

Maybe so, but the law is the law and I feel that it is a privilege to live and work in another country and not a right.

I am a Brit who has a green card, but can assure you this was not got buy luck at all in fact it was bl--dy hard work and took a total of 8 years to achieve

Many years ago my husband and I sought advise as to the best way to impermanently live and work in the USA. We choose to delay our move until we could qualify for a green card. This meant setting up a UK company, running for 5 years, making a profit and employing 6 staff

I do feel sorry for people who come to the US as legals, employ so called visa specialists/attorneys but though bad advise find themselves to have become illegal, but anyone those who choose's to break the law just because it does not suit them is not on in my book

[byjove]

I think the gov. needs to look holisticly at any given situation. What did these people bring to the area, who did they employ, what do they own? etc.

[Sharon]

Here is my letter;

Hello Julia,

I read with interest your article re; the Gomez brothers and the plight
of their family. I was curious as to how the illegal immigrant parents had managed to set up a successful business without social security numbers, and how Cheryl Little of the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center would go about getting driver liceses for undocumented minors. I also wondered if you would be interested in doing a piece on those of us who come here legally,
invest our money, employ U.S. citizens and still have no path to permanent residence? We live on a rollercoaster of uncertainty in case renewal of our visas is denied and we stand to lose everything. My daughters had no choice in the decision to come here, just like the children of illegal immigrants, but they must return to our home country when they turn twenty one, with their college education unfinished and their dreams of a future in America shattered. To say nothing of the trauma of being forcibly seperated from their family, friends and home. Congresswoman Heather Wilson recognized the
desperate plight of E2 investors and introduced her bill H.R.2310, to address the issues, in May of this year. Sadly, the bill has received only a tiny fraction of the publicity given to the DREAM Act and currently languishes at sub-committee level for lack of sponsors. America needs entrepreneurs but, until E2 investors are welcomed and given the recognition they deserve for the contribution they make, they will start to take their families, and their money, to countries which appreciate them. Are you willing to help us raise
awareness of our situation and the bill that could help us to realize our dreams and those of our children? I hope the answer is yes.

Thank you

And here is the reply;

Thank you for your interesting note. To reply to your two
questions, as I wrote in my article, Juan and Alex Gomez have
temporary legal status to remain in the United States through a
private bill that was introduced on their behalf in the Senate, by
Christopher Dodd of Connecticut. The practical result of that bill,
and another one introduced for them in the House by Rep. Lincoln Diaz
Balart of Florida, is that the boys' deportation is stayed until
2009. They are entitled to work and obtain driver's licenses while
they remain here.
I am very sorry to hear about your troubles with the E-2
visa. This is a new and distressing problem to add to the seemingly
endless list of travails that immigrants faced in the United States
immigration system. How old are your daughters now?
I would write about this situation if Heather Wilson's bill
comes up for consideration. What is its status at this point?
Thanks and best,
Julia Preston

Amd my response;

Dear Julia,

I'd like to sincerely thank you for replying - most of my emails to journalist, congresspeople etc. elicit no response whatsoever.

My daughters are aged 18 and 14, so you can imagine how much pressure we are under to get the E2 rules reformed in the near future. I Know many families whose children have already 'aged out' and the distress this causes is indescribable. Many families who could have had a happy and productive life in America simply give up and go home rather that be separated.

Heather Wilson's bill is at sub-committee level and will remain there until awareness of this situation is raised and congressmen/women come forward to co-sponsor it. Obviously, this won't happen if they don't know about it, so round and round we go, trying and failing to get someone in a position of authority to hear our voice.

We need to get this information out there so the American people can bring pressure to bear on their representatives. Each and every person I have told about this situation is appalled - they assume that, because we have a business and employ citizens, that we must be on green cards. They are speechless when they discover that people who contribute to the community are treated like illegal immigrants, while the children of actual illegal immigrants are being offered a path to citizenship!! We played by the rules and are paying a terrible price. Please don't wait to help us, we need to get this important issue out there now.

thank you,

Well done Nina, thank you for your efforts :)

[grumps]

is there some way that we could produce a letter on the internet explaining our problem, then send it to all our american friends ask them to send it to there friends and give them an e-mail address to forward it on to the right person.
i agree the american people i speak to can not belive that we have problems staying here, in fact they get very upset about it. and if we could make it easy for them just to forward it to the right people they might start listening to there voters. as this is the year for votes

[kirtida8]

Hi Grumps, I have used Munish's draft legislation letter with good results so far. Give it a try.

http://www.expatsvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?t=2465