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.
Yep, Dr. Laura had a caller w/a similiar problem the other day. The mom goes with him - what do you expect? If she hadn't thought about it maybe it's a lesson learned.
Take responsibility!
Since he married your mom, isn't he now basically considered legal? They are your family and you love them and must support them in every way you can.
Sorry, I saw that and it didn't register. I can not tell you what changed other than over 3,000 deaths. What used to take 90 days is over 400 days now.
Man, this is bad. I can understand your situation.
Many illegals have good intentions, but what they do is still not right. If Rigo wants to do what's right, then he needs to do what's right.....all the way.
My suggestion would be to have Rigo apply for citizenship, legally, and for your mother to talk to someone in INS to see what could be done to speed up the process.
Good luck. And, good luck to your mother.........she's going to need it
"but I love how they have decided to fish for fish in barrels, and not those flowing over the border,"
Tax payer funded government agencies do what they are told to do especially when they have tight budgets. Of course they'll go after the fish in barrels first. You can't have it both ways. This is why policemen started arresting people in domestic abuse calls. We the tax payers complain to our officials about tax money waste yet there continues to be 911 calls or similiar wanting the authorities to nanny sit us at our whim then tell them to go away the minute they arrive on our doorsteps. Crazy crazy crazy.
Serious question, Did the INS contact the IRS and see red flags about current possible cocaine dealings since it's already in his past activity?
That's a little harsh considering this is bothering his conscience so much that he came to us for advice...show some compassion for the man, he is in a difficult situation. Calls to deport the FIL are justified, as are the comments that the FIL was irresponsible for doing cocaine, but calling someone names is not. Get a grip.
Yes they are. Just because we may know someone that willingly broke the law doesn't mean the law has somehow morphed into a feeling document.
However, I noticed the poster mentioned New Bern NC. As much as it pains me to say this, I would recommend contacting our representation in Washington, probably the worthless Elizabeth Dole. It can't hurt and her office may have some recommendations for the next step.
Awwww. Look who bought into the touchy-feely stuff.
You're mean :-)
Why have laws if we are trying to figure out ways around them? There are many many Rigos out there.
People have made bad choices (illegal entry (2x), drugs, child out of wedlock, etc.) that not only affect their lives, but the lives around them. Bad choices have consequences.
Yeah, and your mom could have picked a better man, preferably one that wasn't incarcerated....
It's all about the choices we make.
1. We export goods, not people. Unless Rigo is actually pasta, I think he was deported.
2. From the sounds of your post, they have been married what..3-4 months? Obviously, they knew this was coming and attempted a last ditch marriage to try and keep the EXportation from occurring. Maybe they did not tell you this for the sake of your feelings.
I'm sorry that you're in this position but if his congressional "representative" intervenes on his behalf, then other illegals will be doing this to save their lawbreaking hides. I'm an immigrant. I came here legally with my parents. We have all acheived the American dream and have not broken any laws.
Unfortunately Rigo has unduely complicated his reach for legalization with the drug and unlawful entry charges - both of which either will reward one with permanent denial of citizenship. He only strengthened the case for his deportation and permanent denial.
Rigo appears to have attempted to complicate his deportation orders with first, the birth of a child and secondly, the marriage to a US citizen - which just happens to be your mother. My regrets are that she became involved, and diminish accordingly, dependant upon how much aware she were of Rigo's situation.
Many felons attempt to play on the sentiments of the courts and juries, but to the extent Rigo has knowingly violated US law, deportation appears the only logical avenue remaining.
So you aren't saying they should stop fishing altogether, just fish somewhere else.
Sorry it happened to someone in your camp, but if you can't do the time, don't do the crime.
I'm referring to FIXING this problem that was allowed to go on so long that people's lives are now going to be yanked apart.
One final note FRiend, you've been here since 2000 and suggest we who don't agree not reply? You KNOW that ain't gonna happen. Not today...;-)
When you have to deal with reality, as George W. Bush and Vicente Fox are trying to do, it's not so simple."
If you choose to blur the black and white, why should you expect me to see grey?
I am too. There are instances that will be heartbreaking. And those that have made decisions, that they knew were wrong, now have another decision to make. To return to the country of origin with their loved one (after meeting that nation's laws for immigrating) or to say goodbye to them. All decisions have consequences.
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