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.
I believe in the laws, but also want to know if he has any legal chance at all. I'm also POed that the INS won't fix the situation with illegals in the first place, but like I said weird situation.
I agree.
I know, but I'm someone who keeps hoping the borders are closed yet see these small arrest happening and nothing down there. Fine they are working, but not enough. A personal situation amplifies it.
"Women are strange creatures"
Only strange women are creatures who are attracted, co-dependant to strange male creatures who in turn get off beating their female partners. The rest of us sane women don't even give wife beaters the time of day let alone a dinner date.
Now might be the time for your mother to decide if he is worth leaving the country for. They might be able to live quite well in another country (Honduras, Canada, or somewhere else) until he is able to legally immigrate back into the U.S.
Sounds like our Supreme Court.
Thanks. Your response is very much the sum of my thoughts on it. It sad for my mother, but he did it, not us. This morning I was very much frustrated and vented. Thanks.
Good for you sane women.
I think that some very good advice has been offered.
1. Your mother needs to end this relationship now.
or
2. She goes with him to Honduras.
Weaselling any other option is going over to the other side. It ain't right.
Not sure on that count, but you are probably right. His arrest was over 20 years ago, and I'm not sure if it was a felony. That's just my ignorance of the situations. To be honest my mom called begging me to help, and no matter what I feel about the situation, or my mom's issues (there are many) I will try to help. I already told her that A) I don't agree or believe that illegal aliens should stay in the country, but I like Rigo and will try to help and B) She wasn't thinking right to marry him, even if she has known him for years and was in love. I am upset over the situation, but understand also that I am upset for reasons pertaining to a child to a parent. Nothing more, even when I like Rigo. Also, he is not a felon, nor have a police record beside his one incident when he was young. His record is very clean, and was acknowledged as such by the judge. Also he was not operating an under the table business, he had a license. Explain that one if you will, I can't.
"He did what many fathers would do in that situation, though he would even say he should have been more responsible."
Therein hangs the tale. Life can be tough, and people make mistakes which they later regret.
Personally, I think not marrying his girlfriend, with which he had an actual human child, was also a big mistake. I only hope that he has ended this spiral of questionable behavior, and marrying your mother isn't just one more bump in his road, for your sake, and hers.
All I can say to you is that by following your heart, and keeping your eyes open, you will find what you can indeed do about the situation, and as things develop, what you should and perhaps should not do regarding it, your mom, and him. When one looks at the individual, personal situations of many immigrants, legal and illegal, and for that matter, the lives of people all over the world, it is hard to not feel very sorry for them. Many have horrible situations and conditions. Many are also lazy, corrupt, cowardly, or just plain wrong. Heroism is the only way, and dignity is heaoism's handmaiden.
Soldier on.
I'd like to add one more thing:
pray for your mother that it works out for her well being.
The INS claims it will focus on criminals, alien smugglers, fraudulent document sellers, and employers who hire illegal aliens. But the smuggled aliens, the aliens who benefit from the fraud, and the illegal alien workers will suffer no consequences because of their own illegal actions. http://commdocs.house.gov/committees/judiciary/hju63127.000/hju63127_0f.htm
http://expatforums.com/t26206.html
http://www.sudhirlaw.com/ImmUSA.htm
Voluntary departure is always better than a deportation order, since deportation can cause several problems for a person who hopes to return to the US in the future. For example, a person who is ordered deported ordinarily can't return to the US for 10 years without getting special BCIS permission. A person who leaves voluntarily can return at any time that s/he gets a legal visa to return from a US consulate.
Perhaps your mom can move to his location for the time frame he must remain out of the country. They could both return in the future, is my read on it. Perhaps seek the advice of an attorney on immigration matters.
F_T_D
There must be more to this story. If he is married to a US citizen, he should be able to stay. Is there some other infraction preventing him claiming this status?
I don't know jack about immigration law, but suggest that your mother contact one pronto. It's a real specialty, and nobody but someone with that specialty can really help.
Seems like Catholic Charities might be a good place to start, they help immigrants.
Anti-immigration is a real popular thing right now, but thank goodness most of our own ancestors just showed up and nobody challenged them back in the old days, the country was glad to have them. I have a soft spot in my heart for anyone who wants the American dream.
I believe bayourod's for open borders and letting in all illegal aliens, ask him.
Why? I am not for open borders. Read my post again, and stop being ignorant.
This isn't about individuals and personalities. Many of us may know someone who is here illegally and we truly like them as people. This is about a principle....acknowledging and upholding the laws which are meant to protect our sovereignty and order.
I also have had such a problem in my life. My brother married a girl who he brought here legally from Mexico. She went through all the proper channels and has been waiting to bring her mom here for a visit....legally. In the meantime, she has several brothers and sisters who came to the US illegally over the years (before my brother met her). One of those sisters has a young teenaged son who she brought here illegally as an infant. A couple months ago this young boy developed a brain bleed and was put in the hospital. There is no insurance so it is being paid for by all of us. I care very much for this child and do not want to see him die because he can't get medical care, but on the other hand I think it is very wrong for illegals to come here and reap the rewards of our society without contributing their fair share. Here again....if we look at it on the basis of individuals, we are often conflicted because there are many individuals who are here illegally who we find likeable. But when we evaluate the principles involved, it's another story.
I think about this child and realize that had this happened to him in Mexico he may well not have survived. Because it happened here, regardless of his illegal status, he got top notch care and is on the mend. Realistically, however, there is no way we can afford, as a society, to take on the care of all the deserving individuals in the world. Truthfully, had he appeared in the hospital and been packed up and sent back to Mexico, I would have felt terrible! Realistically, however, he is only one of many who are draining our resources illegally! Americans are a generous society who have compassion and try to have a certain degree of understanding....that often puts us at odds with our desire to enforce our laws. I became attached to this young child over the years and do not want to see him hurt, but the proper way to have addressed this would be for them to have returned to Mexico and applied for legal entry just like my sister-in-law did. I understand their desire to get ahead and live the American dream, but the truth is that they are not playing by the rules. They work, but many pay no taxes and have no insurance. The drain on our society is evident and it is something I resent. I understand your pain and conflict, but being an illegal in this country is not acceptable. President Bush might have a good point when he says we need to make legal entry easier. But we have to stand up and defend our American standards and heritage. Otherwise we create our own jeopardy.
Do the right thing.
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