We just passed the 9 month mark of our family being separated by inhumane immigration laws. What has happened up until now has at times made us feel hopeful, hopeless and in some instances made us want to just say f**k it.
We are still trying to bring my Gordo home but we are running out of time. His next immigration court is next week and I just want this to be all over. I want him to be home, I want our lives to be back to normal. The affects on Cairo have not diminished even though he is much more vocal and expresses his feelings more. He needs to be a regular 6 year old that has both his parents at his side. I just can't wait to see that day come, when I can tell my son that his daddy is finally coming home.
I've come to appreciate Jose so much more during this time. As I told him in one of my recent letters, it's not because he takes out the garbage or because he helps out around the house or rescues me from spiders. It's because he's my best friend. He's the one that makes me feel better when I'm down and helps me find a solution to any problem. He's the one I need now during this time, not only to comfort me but so that we can tackle this situation head on together.
Today the administration announced more immigration policy changes. Basically immigrants and their families can apply for waivers against the 3-20 year bars many are being faced with. It's a great start and I really hope this helps out a lot of people I know who are now living in exile because of these ridiculous bars. What bothers me is that there are so many who are basically ignored when it comes to policy change. So far none of the policy changes made would help my family and many other families who are facing PERMANENT bars from the country. Is it too hard to ask ICE and the federal government to at least respect state level laws when it comes to their definition of "conviction"? They have split up immigrants into good immigrants and bad immigrants. The problem with this is that their definition of "bad" immigrants aka those who have committed "crimes" is so broad that it is hurting people who are no threat to the community or this country.
None U.S. Citizens aka anyone with or without a valid VISA who have made poor choices in their past are now facing being barred from the country. I'm not talking about people who have committed murder or rape or any type of violent crime. I'm talking about people who might have driven a friend to buy a controlled substance or a person who accidentally walked out of a store without paying for one of their items. Or someone who just made a dumb mistake that landed him in state court. If they admit to their guilt they state normally gives them a slap on the wrist, but that slap on the wrist is enough for ICE to come looking for them, detain them, deport them and never let them back in the country even if they are married to a U.S. Citizen or have U.S. Citizen children. Is that really fair? Is it fair for a person who is married to a U.S. Citizen to be exiled from the country for a moment of poor judgement that was not violent or harmed anyone? Is it fair to destroy a family over something so minor? If the state can give that person a slap on the wrist why can't DHS? I'm not only talking about people who have entered the country un-inspected, I'm talking about people who have student VISAS, vistors VISAS, people who are lawful permanent Residents. Anyone who is not a U.S. Citizen can find themselves in this situation.
Again, don't get me wrong. I think these policy changes are good and hopefully will help a lot of people. It's just that there are a lot of people who are left out and no one is really fighting for them.
As an update on the law we, we is too many, Mr. Little B and his committee, are trying to change.. it was voted upon yesterday. I was invited to be present for the second presentation. I don't know the results of the vote yet but from the questions and comments I'm guessing they are supporting the change. At this point I believe they will asking the support of another group in the CBA, which I hope will also be in favor. Once this has happened they will be looking for a legislative sponsor and there will be full blown petition signing and call your reps type of thing going on. I'm really hoping this passes, so many people can be helped by this change in IL.
We are still trying to bring my Gordo home but we are running out of time. His next immigration court is next week and I just want this to be all over. I want him to be home, I want our lives to be back to normal. The affects on Cairo have not diminished even though he is much more vocal and expresses his feelings more. He needs to be a regular 6 year old that has both his parents at his side. I just can't wait to see that day come, when I can tell my son that his daddy is finally coming home.
I've come to appreciate Jose so much more during this time. As I told him in one of my recent letters, it's not because he takes out the garbage or because he helps out around the house or rescues me from spiders. It's because he's my best friend. He's the one that makes me feel better when I'm down and helps me find a solution to any problem. He's the one I need now during this time, not only to comfort me but so that we can tackle this situation head on together.
Today the administration announced more immigration policy changes. Basically immigrants and their families can apply for waivers against the 3-20 year bars many are being faced with. It's a great start and I really hope this helps out a lot of people I know who are now living in exile because of these ridiculous bars. What bothers me is that there are so many who are basically ignored when it comes to policy change. So far none of the policy changes made would help my family and many other families who are facing PERMANENT bars from the country. Is it too hard to ask ICE and the federal government to at least respect state level laws when it comes to their definition of "conviction"? They have split up immigrants into good immigrants and bad immigrants. The problem with this is that their definition of "bad" immigrants aka those who have committed "crimes" is so broad that it is hurting people who are no threat to the community or this country.
None U.S. Citizens aka anyone with or without a valid VISA who have made poor choices in their past are now facing being barred from the country. I'm not talking about people who have committed murder or rape or any type of violent crime. I'm talking about people who might have driven a friend to buy a controlled substance or a person who accidentally walked out of a store without paying for one of their items. Or someone who just made a dumb mistake that landed him in state court. If they admit to their guilt they state normally gives them a slap on the wrist, but that slap on the wrist is enough for ICE to come looking for them, detain them, deport them and never let them back in the country even if they are married to a U.S. Citizen or have U.S. Citizen children. Is that really fair? Is it fair for a person who is married to a U.S. Citizen to be exiled from the country for a moment of poor judgement that was not violent or harmed anyone? Is it fair to destroy a family over something so minor? If the state can give that person a slap on the wrist why can't DHS? I'm not only talking about people who have entered the country un-inspected, I'm talking about people who have student VISAS, vistors VISAS, people who are lawful permanent Residents. Anyone who is not a U.S. Citizen can find themselves in this situation.
Again, don't get me wrong. I think these policy changes are good and hopefully will help a lot of people. It's just that there are a lot of people who are left out and no one is really fighting for them.
As an update on the law we, we is too many, Mr. Little B and his committee, are trying to change.. it was voted upon yesterday. I was invited to be present for the second presentation. I don't know the results of the vote yet but from the questions and comments I'm guessing they are supporting the change. At this point I believe they will asking the support of another group in the CBA, which I hope will also be in favor. Once this has happened they will be looking for a legislative sponsor and there will be full blown petition signing and call your reps type of thing going on. I'm really hoping this passes, so many people can be helped by this change in IL.
