Image from the Loudoun Times Mirror.
Source: Loudoun Times-Mirror
TUESDAY, JUNE 10 2008
UPDATED TUESDAY, JUNE 10 2008Jose Andrade is a bashful 13-year-old living in Leesburg. He’s a graduate of Catoctin Elementary School, and in a few days, he will have completed seventh grade at J. Lupton Simpson Middle School.
His teachers describe him as a pleasure to have in class, a hard-working student with a positive attitude who takes pride in his work, although on occasion he can be a class clown.
His Boy Scout troop leader calls Jose the most dedicated 13-year-old Scout in the troop.
And when he grows up, he says he wants to be a policeman — mostly because of the cool uniform, but also to help protect people.
But it’s unlikely Jose will be able to realize his dreams.
A native of El Salvador, the teen has until July 16 to leave the country – alone and without his family.
The journey here
Born in Guatajigua, El Salvador, in 1994, the youngster experienced the fallout of the county’s brutal civil war, which had ended in 1992.
His mother, Mirna Andrade, left the country in 2000 to find work in the United States. Jobs were hard to come by in El Salvador, and providing for her family was difficult, she said.
“I was a single mother and it’s difficult to get ahead,” said Mirna, now 33. “I heard that there was work [here].”
Mirna received a visa, allowing her to work in the United States shortly after arriving.
Jose stayed in El Salvador with his mother’s sister’s family.
“I sent him money,” Mirna said, but it wasn’t getting to him.
“They only gave him a quarter. When a week passed, they told him they didn’t have [any] money. This he didn’t tell me.”
Mirna said her sister pulled Jose out of school and used him to run errands, like retrieving water.
“Two months passed that they didn’t send him to school,” she said.
During phone conversations with her, Jose would act timid, Mirna said. She felt something was wrong.
In 2005, 11-year-old Jose, followed his mother’s route to the United States.
She said her son’s education was a primary reason for bringing him here, adding it was important to her that she be with her son.
“I want [my children] to study,” said Mirna, who has two younger children who are U.S. citizens by birth.
“If God allows, [school will] help them realize a good career so that they know how to support themselves.”
The route, which wound from El Salvador to Guatemala, through Mexico and finally across the Rio Grande into Texas, is more than a month’s journey traveling by foot and car, Mirna said.
“We were hungry all the time, and tired,” Jose said.
The youngster traveled with two cousins.
Jose walked across the Rio Grande from Mexico into Texas at a shallow point on a hot day in September 2005. He was arrested by federal police awaiting new arrivals on the other side. One cousin did not make it across the border; the other was arrested with Jose and sent back to El Salvador.
“They took us someplace that looked like a jail,” he said.
He was held at a youth detention center in Harlingen, Texas, for nine days, until his mother came and got him.
“I was happy I wasn’t going to be in there anymore,” said Jose, who said he worried he would never see his mom again.
From that point on, the family has fought an uphill legal battle to keep Jose in the United States.
Tough choices
Torn between loosing her son and abandoning her two younger children, Mirna tears up when she talks about having no choice but to let Jose go back to El Salvador without her.
Looking back, she said she had always hoped, but never believed, that Jose would get to stay.
Once he was released into his mother’s custody in 2005, Jose’s case was moved to the Arlington immigration court, which tries cases for residents of Virginia and Washington, D.C.
Since then, the teen has had three hearings on his immigration status.
Seeing no alternative, Jose’s lawyer – L. Christina Carlier, a lawyer for Catholic Immigration Services based in Washington, D.C. — applied for voluntary removal of the teen at his final hearing in March. This allowed Jose and his family to have 120 days to prepare for his departure, and he would be able to come back to the United States for visits.
If he had tried to run or hide, Jose would have been put into another detention center and held until deported. He also would not be allowed to return to the United States for 10 years.
Although voluntary removal was granted, Mirna says it is unlikely Jose will get to visit because the trip is dangerous and expensive.
The 13-year-old cannot legally return to live in the United States until he turns 18 and can apply for a visa.
“I wanted to be with my mom.” Jose said. “I wanted to develop a career. It’s not good to have to leave when your mother is here.”
For the time being, the teen lives in an apartment off Plaza Street with his mother and her fiance, and Jose’s two siblings — brother Hever Garcia, 5, and 1-month-old baby sister Yaritza.
Jose said it’s not fair he should have to leave. He doesn’t fully understand why he’s being asked to go; he said children should get to stay with their parents.
Could he have stayed?
U.S. immigration law prohibits children not born in the United States from living here unless their parents are U.S. citizens, said Immigration Attorney Christina Wilkes, who works for Ayuda.
Ayuda, which means “help” in Spanish, provides legal aid for immigrants seeking legal residence in the United States.
Wilkes said because Jose’s mother was not a citizen, he must return to El Salvador.
Mirna’s work permit, which is valid until 2009, allows her to stay here. Up until Yaritza’s birth, Mirna worked at the Panera Bread restaurant by Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets.
She has applied for a green card, which would allow her to be a permanent U.S. resident, using her brother who is a citizen as a reference.
It could be another 10 to 15 years before Mirna’s green card application is processed. She could have to wait an additional 10 years or more before she can become a citizen, Wilkes said.
“It’s very backlogged,” the attorney said of the immigration courts system. She said this could be the reason why it took the courts three years to deport Jose.
But even if Mirna had a green card and was on the road to citizenship, she would not be able to keep Jose here.
Before applying for voluntary removal, the family tried and failed to gain political asylum status for Jose.
“Over 88 percent of the children who are apprehended across the border come from El Salvador,” Wilkes said.
Many of them, she said, are fleeing violence, domestic abuse or gang recruitment — the results of a civil war that has left El Salvador’s economy, government and security in disarray.
Wilkes said these are reasons why parents who don’t want their children returned to El Salvador apply for political asylum.
At the end of the day, both lawyers said there is nothing else that can be done.
“We tried to do our best to keep the boy here,” said Carlier.
When Jose moves back to El Salvador, he will live with another of his mother’s sisters.
“He will be living with family, but it won’t be the same,” Mirna said. “You want your family to be together.”
Jose said: “It’s not good to be separated from your mom.
Struggling to fight off tears, Mirna said, “I want to have him with me. I will miss him a lot, badly.”
What would Greg L say when presented with this case? What does his Bible say?
What a heart wrenching story. He is one brave boy, to cross the Rio Grande.
The immigration debate reminds me of the starfish fable:
Once a man was walking along a beach. The sun was shining and it was a beautiful day. Off in the distance he could see a person going back and forth between the surf’s edge and and the beach. Back and forth this person went. As the man approached he could see that there were hundreds of starfish stranded on the sand as the result of the natural action of the tide.
The man was stuck by the the apparent futility of the task. There were far too many starfish. Many of them were sure to perish. As he approached the person continued the task of picking up starfish one by one and throwing them into the surf.
As he came up to the person he said, “You must be crazy. There are thousands of miles of beach covered with starfish. You can’t possibly make a difference.” The person looked at the man. He then stooped down and pick up one more starfish and threw it back into the ocean. He turned back to the man and said, “It sure made a difference to that one!”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wuSaNCIde4
Imagine if this were your child and you had to make such heart wrenching choices. What would you do ?
Something doesn’t sound right with this story. El Salvadorans are routinely granted TPS, so why isn’t this boy?
FYI: TPS was only made available to those that were here prior to the earthquake. From the story it seems like the mom who arrived in 2000 is probably under TPS.
I can’t imagine how this woman feels. I had a close friend who was visiting on a tourist visa, and we considered having her stay beyond the expiration date, but we figured she didn’t HAVE TO. Life as an illegal immigrant is rather unpleasant, and we’re able to support her back in Central America. She has a family that cares about her, and she needs to take care of her aging mother. She’s ok. That’s the closest I can come to trying to understand what this woman is going through.
If it were my son, and if there was no one down there to take care of her, then I don’t know what I would do.
I know some women who have children both here and in their countries. In every case there is someone back home who cares about the children.
This is a heartwrenching story. This child was abandoned once by his mother and will obviously be abandoned by her once again. As parents we have to make decisions about our children. I could not imagine leaving my children behind to get ahead. It’s immoral. That said, if it were my decision, I’d let the child stay here with his selfish mother.
TPS (Temporary Protected Status) is only good for those individuals from El Salvador who came here during the civil war which ended in 1992 and during the earthquake of 2001. Unfortunately, this child does not fit into either of those time frames to qualify for TPS.
This story makes me sick. My heart goes out to this child. Where is the compassion in this country? What will happen to him in El Salvador? Nothing is really better there today.
Lucky Duck is right El Salvadorians are no longer granted TPS. Wasn’t it kind of the US to allow El Savadorians into the this country during the civil war, a civil war that the US funded? The country is no better off and now we are turning our backs on them. This is just sickening.
Crime does not pay, despite McCain, Bush, Kennedy’s best efforts.
El Salvador IS better off and there’s no reason for our elitists to let so many of them in to take over lower-class communities. If our politicians want to let them in they should let them live in THEIR mansions and in THEIR gated communities. Instead they turn them loose on DC residents and let me tell you there is real tension and real issues to do with that phenomenon.
Dignidad,
I think many of us simply lack the personal experience to be able to say what we would do in dire circumstances. It is real easy to apply middle class values to how we would or would not behave in other people’s circumstances.
I am not quite ready to throw the mother under a bus. If I lived in squalor with starving children, I might very well do things I cannot imagine doing just to improve things for them. I hope neither your or I are ever in the position to know what we would really do if confronted with a similar situation and our children were in danger.
Rick,
I find It interesting how you are talking around this case.
All it takes is a majority vote on part of the BOCS in Leesburg to make him Denizen of the Commonwealth, it would buy time untill the case can be tossed through the courts to see whether we should strike the 400+ year old provision or embrace it.
It just takes one councilperson with courage to be the first in modern times to act…
Yep another “sad” story but the bottom line is HIS MOTHER put HIM in this situation.
and Moon-howler for your information, I would NEVER EVER leave my child in another Country without me.
You call it sad and I call it selfish…..
Rick,
I am not condoning illegal immigration but Have you been in El Salvador? Do you follow the news? Are you in touch with people living there? I have lived there and I get to meet people who go there often (Not the people bringing trinkets to sell here). Recently I talked with one of the members of the Salvadoran Cabinet and she told me that the government cannot even grant their safety. Imagine what common people suffer traveling in public transportation everyday. A lot of Americans who where there during the war said to me that they felt more secure then because during those times they knew which places were safe or not. A college professor who is a friend of mine was robbed recently while having dinner at one of the most expensive restaurants.
You see people in your neighborhood and you don’t know what they went through.
Just cause,
have you been in that situation before? Would you rather die together than living your child alone with you mother or his/her mother? Would you be willing to see your child dead without trying anything?
The only real problem or issue I see with the system is letting his mom in when she came here illegally. She should be deported ASAP.
Rick,
Where does it say in the story that she came here illegally? It says she got a visa.
TH- Yep I have been in a situation where I lost everything and had nothing, But I hung on to my most precious valuable and that was my child. I did what I had to do to survive but I didn’t break the law nor did I abandone my child so dont feed me this BS that this young man was gonna die, starve to death blah blah had she not abandoned him..
So basically your saying that she took the “chance” that he still MIGHT be alive once she got here and got established AND that he didnt EAT till she got some money together to send back home..hmmm (most jobs hold back atleast 2 weeks before you get your first paycheck) so another words your NOW telling me SHE gambled with HIS life?? HELL NO I would NEVER abandone my CHILD nor would I GAMBLE with their life..even the freakin ANIMALS take care of their young!!!!!!
TH… I got to add that just because the media prints a story doesnt mean its true..its called propaganda…and any right minded individual can “spin” a life altering situation to appear more tragic than it really is…Come on, Use common sense here……
To all the bleeding hearts: Here is yet another sad story that I read on Craigs list:
*******************************************************************************************************
Reply to: [email protected]
Date: 2008-06-11, 10:29AM EDT
I am facing eviction this week and need $3k to save the place where my son & I rest our heads. Any amount that you can spare will be greatly appreciated. My son and I were abused therefore we need to keep our place in order to be away from further danger & harm. We do not have anywhere else to go nor anyone locally to ask for help. God bless your heart, and actions!
******************************************************************************************************** Now calling all do gooders: What are you going todo to resolve this awful sad situation? Will you email them and offer a monetary donation?? After all this story is in print so it MUST be true…
What??? You not going to do anything??? Ohhhhhhhhh because this family resides on THIS SIDE OF THE BORDER, they DONT deserve your pity or your sympathy..
hmmmm Now who’s being racist….
Just cause,
Did you get food stamps? Unemployment checks? Nothing? just hard work! You don’t get any of that in El Salvador. Is this a fake story? I don’t know. I have worked for the World bank in El Salvador and I have seen many of these stories with my own eyes so please don’t bring your own spin here.
Nope..I had a job and made to much money ( according to our Government) even though I was making about $8.50 an hour, so any and all assistance was denied..and we ALL know we cant possibly survive on that in this COUNTRY..BUT with my child in tow, I made sacrafices and I managed to pull myself up and now I live quite comfortably..Yep we had to sleep in a tent for awhile, but we still had each other, Yep our food was limited but we still ate together everynight..so you see, this WOMAN and HER SON was obviously NOT STARVING since they made it that far already…She sacraficed her child so she could earn a fast buck. Honestly I dont think I could leave my child in another Country, starving and near death ( as you call it) come here to the states and then sit down to a steak dinner…and EAT IT… wondering IF my child will be alive tomorrow..
TH, 13. June 2008, 9:58
so please don’t bring your own spin here.
*****************************************************
My own Spin??? LMAO..who died and left you moderator? If you cant handle others opinions and dont want to debate issues, then maybe you need to close your browser and open a book…
“Indefendsible! Outrage!” – have often noticed that BVBL and this blog often use
the same words in dueling postings from either side of the immigration issue.
He has a gang-banger killer or whore house story and you counter with
heart wrenching postings of decent, hard working people people run to ground by
a deeply flawed and often illogical system. This could go on forever,
but I am not sure what good it does except to allow individuals to vent
to others who mostly already agree with the way they think. At some point,
it would be nice to read the outline of a rational unslanted position paper
on what could and should be done to move this towards a better resolution.
OK Look, Here is my story and maybe you can have some “bearings” as to where I am coming from and why I have the opinion that I do:
I am a single Mom who was born to an alcoholic Mother and a drug infested Father. I had “may many Uncles” coming in and out of my life. I never had a real Bedroom cause I never knew where I was going to lay my head at night. Then I became an adult and married a man who was abusive..So…with my child in hand and no work experience, I fled. I stayed with relatives here and there ( all who demanded that I pay rent, babysit their kids for free, Clean their house and do their laundry) till I could save some money for my own place, I worked at the local gas station mind you so my income was bleak.. I finally had managed to save $800.00 and got my own place. It was a prominently diverse community mainly of ****** and ********…Being that I was the only single WHITE female in this area, I was treated with disrespect and was made to feel that I “owed” them something, mostly by the males..I did however manange to meet and trust a wonderful elder lady who happened to be of ****** descent. She took sympathy upon my situation and offered to baby-sit my daughter for a reduced rate so that I could take some night classes in order to better myself.. So I took her up on her generous offer BUT my gut told me different but I didn’t listen. 6 months later my daughter came to me ( she was sooo depressed and so withdrawn that I was attending night school..or so I thougt) and had shared with me that she was being sexually molested by the elders Son. After the shock and disbelief warn off I was ready to fight and kill..but I had to think of her..I called the Police and filed a rape report, meantime I took my daughter to the Doctors the next day for a complete physical and to my horror, She was pregnant! Not knowing what to do but knowing the alternative, I got on the phone to try and locate a Doctor who could perform a late term pregnancy. I luckily found one but his office was located in the WORST part of D.C..But I had todo what I had todo. No way could I afford another mouth to feed let alone a bastard child who was conceived out of rape. We managed to make this unbelievable journey BUT was nearly robbed of my last $600.00. Lucky for us a do gooder happened to hear me scream and ran to our defense causing my attacker to jump and runaway…We made it to the appt and I had to pay the $600.00 for the procedure..but because of all my pent up anger and fearful of what I might do to my daughters predator, I managed to escape the neighborhood with only our cloths, some necessities and my Tent.. We lived in this tent for 8 months and lived off the fish I had caught out of the local pond till I could find a better job and get us OUT of this situation.
TH you’re right. I read the story quickly and the phrase “followed his mother’s route” fooled me.
On the seperate issue of whether it is right for our politicians to let so many El Salvadorans in, many of whom congregate in DC, I feel strongly (as do many DC residents) that it’s not.
Now…Have any sympathy for me?? Think my story is sad and yet tragic???? I hope so..but..Sorry to say I had to make a point and that is JUST CAUSE someone tells you a story or JUST CAUSE its printed by the media DOESNT MAKE IT TRUE…
My story above is totaly fictional and never happened, but you either:
A. ARE outraged this could happen in this country and now all you want todo is give me a hug
B. Took it for the BS it is worth cause you chalked it up to what it is and thats PROPAGANDA made to seem like heaven was HELL by the way I spun the story…
Just Cause, the primary difference is that you story as you say was BS, it is a piece of fiction with no verifiablity. It also struck me as over the top, having lived in many diverse neighborhoods myself, I can tell you that it can be tough being the only this or that, but a person’s attitude and disposition go much futher than their skin color in daily life in diverse situations. I also have family members who in real life have endured abuse, drugs, abandonment. We have to keep the issue in context. In the US, thsoe situtaions may be all too common, but we have much higher expectations as a society, a tremendous safety net through social services and our legal system. In El Salvador, the story above is the rule, not the exception and there are no safety nets. Period.
Rick – your’s by far is the much bigger load of crap.
“On the seperate issue of whether it is right for our politicians to let so many El Salvadorans in, many of whom congregate in DC, I feel strongly (as do many DC residents) that it’s not.”
Well buddy – perhaps it’s because we are AMERICANS and that is what this nation is all about. Did you ever hear that line, “give me your tired, your hungry, etc”
During and after that war the US was part of a a global community that included Spain, Australia, and Canada, that agreed how many asylees each nation would accept. I am so proud to say that given our connections with the war and our tradition as a nation of immigrants we accepted a great many. As you point out they largely settled in DC which explains why, all these years later, the metropolitan area has a higher number of Salvadoreans than Mexicans, unlike most US states. Tension, perhaps, but that is the tension that has made this country what it is. It is no different that the tension that was felt when Irish, Italian, and German communities sprang up with often violent, fatal consequences. And the rhetoric then is is sadly no different than yours right now.
El Guapo, The TPS status for El Salvador was extended and I thought it was still in place. I have to do some research on this.
The issue about Mothers leaving their children is one that I have struggled with in my own family. I have been less than sympathetic at times, but I always hold my tounge because i did not grow up in El Salvador. Unlike my husband I did not abandon my home and flee, walking mile after mile with 5 siblings and my mother who had just given birth, to live in squalor in San Salvador, losing family members without a trace. My mother, though fantastic, did not have to endure the things that his did in order to keep the family together. And now, when she has acheived some measure of success, she fears for her life because what she has is at threat every day gang members who woudl jsut as soon slit her throat for the $5 dollars in her pocket. God help you if you are on teh verge of middle class in El Salvador because the police sure won’t.
And on to his Mother, one thing that may be misunderstood that has helped me grapple with this (because in my mind I say I would never leave my kids behind either), families are defined a little more differently in Latin American culture. The extended family has much greater importance there than here, where there is so much emphasis on “independence” and the nuclear family. An aunt, uncle, grandmother, and grandfother are often like extra parents, so strong is their involvement in the child’s life, more so when extended family share the same roof or live close by. I think this woman was betrayed by her sister, someone she trusted, which makes the situation all the more tragic.
Poor Richard is right, “At some point,
it would be nice to read the outline of a rational unslanted position paper
on what could and should be done to move this towards a better resolution.” And if you look for them they are out their. National Immigration Forum is one source, so is MPI.
In the meantime it doesn’t hurt to get the inside scoop, particularly when so many peopel have no real, intimate contact with the subjects of this ferocious debate.
BTW, I don’t spell check, sorry.
I read a lot of stories in the WAPO and I see a trend in how they deal with immigrants stories. I don’t think it is propaganda but they have subjective point of view when dealing with illegal aliens. Here we are talking about a kid that you want to put in the propaganda category. It is OK with me if that is the way you see human life. I have seen a lot of “propaganda” dying on the streets (DC and El Salvador). It happens! Not to you and that is great. The fact that you didn’t do it doesn’t make you a better mother/father though.People deal with life and death choices differently.
Don’t feel bad because someone reacts negatively to to your fables or opinions. I didn’t call you names or said that I own “THIS” place.
Valley Girl, this is also supposed to be a nation of laws, not a fiefdom where our ruling class can choose tom ignore them to lower wages and increase profit.
I want to accept immigrants but in a CONTROLLED, LAWFUL manner.
And tell me this. In your world – does the sitaution ever change in El Salvador? Does it ever get better there? If escape is so easy and the US so welcoming as you would like, how do things ever get better for those who don’t border-jump? Do you think it really builds a better world when people abandon their own countries to crooks, drug warlords, etc.?
Valley Girl- Actually..I took snip-its from multiple and I mean MULTIPLE “sad” stories as told by the illegal immigrants and ran them together to make my fictional story..So I’m glad we agree that stories Such as these are..well..Infact..OVER THE TOP.
TH- Rather you like the term propaganda or not, it is in fact reality, Unless you can provide actual factual proof that the story mentioned above (about this boy) HAS NOT been altered in anyway , rather by the editor or the Mother, than to me it is in fact PROPAGANDA and I see human life experiences through the eyes of facts my dear, not what I READ or HEAR SAY, and I am a better Mom because abadoning my Children would NEVER be an option for me..
I must point out, YOU made the statement: ” Do Not bring your SPIN HERE, so you were in fact the first to react negtively to my belief and opinions..I was simply giving you a dose of your own medicine…
Just Cause,
Denial is a strong coping mechanism that we all are revert to when we are confronted by uncomfortable situations. You can make up silly stories to exonerate this real life situation, that is not unique at all, but that is your choice to negate the pain that this mother and child are experiencing. If that makes it easier for you to justify your position, so be it.
Valley Girl, 13. June 2008, 11:46
Thank for sharing this information, I think it is helpful in gaining insight into choices that people must make in order to survive. I have said this before, many times, “there but for the grace of G-d go I”.
“Once he was released into his mother’s custody in 2005, Jose’s case was moved to the Arlington immigration court, which tries cases for residents of Virginia and Washington, D.C.”
USCIS
Temporary Protected Status – EL SALVADOR
TPS Extension Re-Registration Deadline: 10/22/07
EAD Automatic Extension Effective Until: 03/09/08
TPS Expiration Date: 03/09/09
I still say something more is going on here than what is stated in this story.
Rick, I’m pretty sure we live in the same world. If I read your previous comment correctly you were in fact referring to legal immigration, ie. the resettlement of Salvadorians during and after the civil war. That was controlled and lawful, though apparently unpleasant for some DC residents.
The problems that led to where we are now have to do with laws that were not enforced combined with a mixed message. On the one hand it is widely known it is illegal to cross the border, on the other hand we know that you will be sure to get a job and an enormous jump in your standard of living if you do. Who provides the jobs? Not just greedy corporate America and big business, but a HUGE segment of the American population, across the board. And in the end who are the beneficiaries? We all are. We are all consumers. To say that that is a mixed message is an understatement. Officially we don’t want you but unofficially we sure as hell do.
This is a nation of laws but both our lawmakers and our law enforcers have failed us, so its high time for a reevaluation. How awesome is it that our laws are not written and stone, but rather fluid and capable of changing as our society evolves. Its not by accident.
As for what is best for El Salvador, well I’ve thought a lot about that. I think that the exposure to US Democracy and is a great help; it raises native born Salvadorians expectations for their own nation, including police protection. I also think that programs that can funnel remissions into local community development programs and entrepreneurial efforts, particularly for women would be a great help. I think that aid tied to progress, carefully monitored would help. I am also keeping a close eye on elections in the hopes that the FMLN does not win the presidency. Of course improvements to the education system are key, but it requires resources. I think foreign owned corporations need to commit to investing more resources into El Salvador, in terms of infrastructure.
But things are improving. It is one of the most prosperous nations in El Salvador and has a relatively fantastic road system. One thing to keep an eye on are climate changes, water shortages, and natural disasters.
Anon- if I am not mistaken, you are referring to a reregistartion deadline. That means an extension for those who already have TPS.
Above I meant to say “most prosperous nation in C.A.”. My bad.
Anon 100 – those dates you listed are for RE-registration for TPS. There was no registration permitted for TPS during the years when this kid was coming to the US, so he didn’t qualify for TPS and can’t re-register for something he was not a part of in the first place.
It is true that those Salvadorans here in the US must re-register every so often to maintain this TPS status or they lose it and become illegal aliens.
Folks, the issue here is not whether this story is sad–all you have to do is walk around the city of Manassas and talk to the immigrants who live there to hear a sad story. The issue here is justice. What kind of a country are we that we allow a mother a visa, but not her son? She did EVERYTHING that the “Help Save” folks say she should. And her big crime was wanting to live with her son when the U.S. system is too short sighted to acknowledge that parents want to be with their children while they’re still children.
When I read the anti-immigrant comments above, I am further convinced that the “Help Save” movements ARE about racism and not about immigration. And for the record Rick et al–I do pity you. I can’t imagine how unhappy you must be to harbor the resentment you express here. My hope is that some day you and your fellows will be able to let this go, and you can go on to live a happy, fulfilled lives.
Great commentary Sara, thank you.
Elena- Coping mechanism?? painful situation?? Uncomfortable??
Not at all…I take it for what its worth and thats nothing but a “story” or “news Article” to me. I can spot the obvious BS in this story right off the bat and I am quite shocked that someone as intelligent as yourself hasn’t even noticed or even questioned it.
You have been “duped”..and are you the type a person that cries at commercials?? I bet you are and there is nothing wrong with that but I refuse to be taken advantage of BUT you on the other hand might want to be careful, your a prime target for cons and scams.
Come on people..Would you REALLY call a newspaper and gain ALL this attention to yourself and tell openly and publicly that you “had” to chose your 2 other children (who WILL reside in this great land of ours) over your illegal Son and then admit that you are sending him back to the depths of hell ( according to her) ALONE!!!!!!
Like someone said earlier, Thats the difference between our Cultures..
AND OUR CULTURE would JUMP INTO survival mode and would find some underground net work to hide my son till the matter can be resolved…or go back with him….
i’m not shedding any tears here, if he’s a foreign citizen then he should be returned. His family has every option to return with him. that’s the choice they make. it’s not as if his family is forced to remain here without him, it’s their choice. everyone has choices to make, and unfortuneatly this young man has to learn early that he is responsible for the choices he makes. everyone needs to stop looking at all the ancilliary drama around this case and get to the root and the facts. once you do that it’s not so heartbreaking.
Desperate people do desperate things!!
Just Cause, your story is not unlike my own except I never forgot what it was like and I did not nor do I think everyone can make it as I have and apparently as you have. Yes, I worked hard, never got public assistance and raised my children. I got a very good job with a substantial salary. I was truly blessed. I still until today feel very blessed that I was able to be in the right place at the right time. I got boots with boot straps. Some people did not get boot straps with their boots. Have a little heart.
Just cause, I smell the fact that someone with an agenda is trying to sell a “story”. That doesn’t make it a fake situation. I think it is a good attitude to have your mind ready to spot these agendas and don’t believe everything you read.
You don’t have to offer any medicine to prove your point but I can see how your perspective is tainted by “OUR CULTURE”.
Marie,
In “OUR CULTURE” we don’t have a heart, just laws! (sarcastic comment…)