Posted on 07/21/2005 5:29:09 AM PDT by sonsofliberty2000
Today I am writing from a sorta weird position. I am truly in a paradox, and need help and advice.
I am writing about Rigo Garcia, my step-father now, but before a friend. He was introduced to me by my mother, and most times when this happens I end up either really not liking the person, or trying to ignore them due to a wanting to not like them. Neither occured with Rigo.
Here comes the issue: Rigo was here illegally in the US. He was arrested several months back for being an illegal, and while in prison my mom and him married (they did really love each other, and please discard the marrying for a green card thing, that is a movie cliche for the most part). His history as well as I can place it is this: He came in the early 1980's legally from Honduras with his parents and brother (maybe a sister, but I'm lacking a little info). He met a girl, they had a dauhter, and then he made a huge mistake by getting arrested with cocaine. They exported him. He decided that his daughter was worth the risk, and regretted his decision to do drugs andcame back. He settled down, worked many jobs, paid child support and started his own business. When I met him in New Bern, NC, a place many of you will recognize as my last port of call, he was working his own business as well as a full-time job. He had a house, and many nice things. The American Dream as some might call it. This all came crashing around him. I decided at the time to not write of these things, deciding the court would work it out. According to my mom the judge even told Rigo that he was an example of what an immigrant can come and do in America, especially those coming from an impoverished country such as Honduras.
So now my quandry: I am a staunch supporter of closing our borders. All know this from my previous writings and from personal knowledge. At the same time I feel they have bungled this. The judge was going to release him, but the INS instead of stopping the thousands a day in the border states have decided to export him anyways. I will not saywhether I feel my mother was stupid for her marrying him, nor will I judge Rigo. He did what many fathers would do in that situation, though he would even say he should have been more responsible. The current situation is this: the judge was expected to release him this week, but INS came and took him away. No one, including the lawyer as far as my mom knows, knows where they took him. I'm glad the INS has started to do their job, but I love how they have decided to fish for fish in barrels, and not those flowing over the border, where a simple net would catch them. My question is this: What can be done to help this man, if anything? Also, will you help me to help him? I do not see a quandry here, I see an agency trying to make it look like they are cracking down hard on illegals, but instead chasing those who made no waves, or attempt to hide.
However unfortunate, some want reality revised to favor them. The law is clear. There are illegal aliens. There are two choices - to make the illegal alien legal by deportation or by legislation. If by legislation, then what good is established law?
As for myself - I adhere to the law, not break it in hopes the law will be revised in my favor. I expect no less than that of those who visit. I'm sorry, having had dealt with immigration legally and with satisfactory experiences - no sympathy exists here for those who ignore our immigration code by stealing their way here. None at all.
I usually agree with you, but not on this one. Start deporting'em as fast as possible. Maybe we WON'T be able to actually deport them all, but actively working the deportation process will send a signal to those comtemplating illegal entry that the barriers are now up, and it's no longer "business as usual" on the illegal entry front.
ANY other solution involving "amnesty" of any sort simply tells those contemplating entry to "come on down" and if you succeed in entering illegally, then there won't be any real consequences for your action.
Look I offered a solution to the poster that was concerned about this in the first place. Write to either of our NC Senators. They're as lame on immigration as the President is, one of them may be offer to some help in this instance.
Difficult situation. I'm praying that your family and your mother pull through. It is very unfortunate that his past has turned into a roadblock. I understand that every immigrant (legal or illegal) are real individual souls who come here because America offers so much (and their former countries usually offer so little). Unfortunately, if we let everyone in that wanted to, it would be like the vandals in Rome. All would be lost.
But by all means, pursue every legal means to resolve the situation.
Gum
It's a free for all now.
There will be reform but it is impossible to roll back the clock of the wink and nod of last decades.
He needs an immigration lawyer, pure and simple.
While I understand your emotional investment is making this difficult, remember he has broken the law- more than once, and as such is suffering the consequences. He stole his place in American society, just as surely as if he'd stolen his neighbor's car or TV. Just because he did well for himself does not change the fact that he committed a crime. If I steal money and then use it to help someone, does that me any less guilty of theft? Don't let yourself get into that leftist relative morality.
I disagree. As long as folks like you keep saying "its impossible", NOTHING AT ALL will be done that stands even a remote chance in hell of working.
We should be working the deportation process as if it WERE possible. Nothing else will provide any deterrent effect at all. All "amnesty" does is pour more gasoline on the fire.
"If he is married to your mom, isn't he regarded as a legal resident?"
No. Even married to a US citizen, an alien still has to apply for a carta verde.
I dont know what the hell a woman is thinking about when she goes to a prison to marry a prisoner. Here we have a guy with a previous family, who entered America twice illegally once after being arrested for cocaine. I dont believe the US law will allow him to return legally after being convicted of Cocaine possession, If your mother truly loves this guy you had better plan on visiting her in Honduras. Advice: Have your mother get a divorce and try to find an American boyfriend with no felony convictions.
Bingo! Excellent post.
"(legal or illegal) are real individual souls who come here because America offers so much (and their former countries usually offer so little)."
And yet hard working middle class American tax payers are held in gross contempt BECAUSE foreign tyrants, dictators HAVE AND DO TO THIS DAY OFFER THEIR OWN CITIZENS SO LITTLE and the people tolerate it while their leaders greedly keep the billions in financial aid for themselves, their terrorist cells, family, friends, military entourage. Marie Antoinettes spirit lives on in infamy. Absolutely amazing isn't it.
" Have your mother get a divorce and try to find an American boyfriend with no felony convictions. "
My guess, the mother is desperately lonely with co-dependancy probs. My prediction, she'll eventually wind up in some shelter for battered women.
I meet plenty of illegals in the course of my work, and they are hard working, good people for the most part.
But they are lawbreakers. Sorry.
I meant to say detained. My bad.
Actually I just wanted advice, not potshots. I'm not exactly a newbie here. Many will vouch for my sincerity.
No, I meant to say detained. Obviously the INS had to get a judge's stamp to deal with it. Personally I don't even understand that to be honest.
Honestly you are sorta correct. I can't stand for my mom because the woman never makes any sense to me. Some people cannot be helped. Rigo though is also a friend however, and I only seek advice.
Women are strange creatures. Every once in a while you read about one who wants to marry some convicted serial killer ,there have been instances of women who have traveled miles to meet some pervert who wants to beat them or even kill them. Some women seem to thrive on mothering people who others wouldnt get within a mile of. Others are beaten almost daily and keep going back to the abusive boyfriend or husband. Some American women see dark skinned males such as Arabs as romantic, until their kids are taken back to Arab lands never to be seen again. Once a woman has her sights set for someone there is no logic to what they determine to do.
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