Posted on 08/28/2006 8:42:27 AM PDT by LNewman
Mercedalia Diaz was tired of being an illegal immigrant, living in fear of arrest and separation from her young son. So she filed an application to work legally in the United States — in effect, turning herself in.
After a permit was denied, Diaz landed here, in U.S. Immigration Court in Los Angeles, nervously fielding questions from a federal judge: If you don't get permanent residency, would you agree to leave the U.S. voluntarily? Do you promise not to return without a visa? What would you do with your son?
...
Then Diaz told her story to Judge Bruce J. Einhorn, beginning with her decision, 15 years ago, to illegally cross the border into the United States with her brother because her parents couldn't afford to send them to school.
Fidgeting with her hands, Diaz responded in Spanish, through an interpreter.
...
In that narrow opening, Diaz and others place their hopes. To win legal residency, Diaz has to prove to Einhorn that she has lived here at least 10 years, that she has "good moral character" and that her deportation would cause her son "exceptional and extremely unusual" hardship.
She told the judge that she had never committed a serious crime and had worked steadily — earning about $20,000 a year as a house and office cleaner. She recently bought a house in Santa Ana, and every month sends about $200 home to her parents in Mexico, she said. But Diaz hadn't brought proof that she was a homeowner or taxpayer.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
So she's 29, been her 15 years, never learned English, and supposedly bought a home in Orange County (Santa Ana's median home prices run in the $300,000 range) earning $20,000 a year while sending $200 a month to Mexico, and raising a fatherless child.
Oh, and BTW, "Court Rulings Are Life-Altering for Immigrants Illegals."
(No more Olmert! No more Kadima! No more Oslo! )
"Fidgeting with her hands, Diaz responded in Spanish, through an interpreter."
First problem right there.
15 years and didn't bother learning english.
earning about $20,000 a year .... But Diaz hadn't brought proof that she was a .... taxpayer....
"My son was born here"
hmm. wonder who paid for that ?
Brother, how about a Barf warning for us innocents.
I'm waiting for the sob stories of all the people that are out of work (health care professionals) because illegals forced their hospitals to close.
Waiting...waiting...waiting...
Of course these illegals aren't being coached... I note with wry humor her choice of words, "...never commited a serious crime"; presumably, this is aside from her naughty violation of our immigration laws -- a jail crime in Mexico!
Been here 15 years, never learned English. Not good.
Just damn...
Think it's fair to say the same entity paying for the interpreter.
I'll bet you I have learned more Spanish in the last 15 years than the typical illegal has learned English. Will also bet you that there are tens of thousands of people just like me.
-"15 years ago, to illegally cross the border into the United States with her brother because her parents couldn't afford to send them to school...Diaz responded in Spanish, through an interpreter."-
What a pile of poo. Sooooo concerned with an education, SUCH a heartwarming tale. 15 years and still can't speak English!! Unfreakin'believable!
Why didn't you tag this thing with a "Barf Alert"? I just ate....
-"15 years ago, to illegally cross the border into the United States with her brother because her parents couldn't afford to send them to school...Diaz responded in Spanish, through an interpreter."-
Well it doesn't appear as if she EVER attended school here or she would KNOW English!
What fools the media are. And, I am sick to death of all these sob stories. They are all so transparent to me. If she is working she is probably doing so with a stolen SS#. Her kid (a citizen) is probably getting all kinds of social benefits. Where is that side to the story? Oh yeah, that wouldn't further their agenda.
Pardon me while I go clean up.
ping
Oh, I doubt that's true. I'm sure she got all the way through High School, with all her classes taught in Spanish. Gotta be "compassionate" don-cha-know...
Here's one. The area's real estate is considered so over heated that it's difficult for teachers, firemen, and nurses to afford housing. But beebop here supposedly invested in real estate.
I know this is impossible to hope for, but I'd love to see the judge say to her: "OK, come back in 6 months, and we'll go through this hearing again without an interpreter. Show me you've learned enough English to talk with me, and I'll consider letting you stay!"
[cue to Jiminy Cricket: "When You Wish Upon A Star"...]
What? 15 years and she still needs an interpreter?
Geeez!!
Hey! Judge! What part of illegally crossed the border into the United States don't you understand?
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