I thought George Bush was against illegal immigration ~ especially because it breaks the simple rule of law ~ along with every local law, ordinance, code, or policy painstakingly enacted to maintain peace in small towns and cities. From the looks of the illegal Mexicans I've seen, do I think they CARE about elementary ways Americans live? Are they concerned about securing hunting/fishing licenses or "no trespassing" signs? LOL Not on your life.
And let us not forget that most landlord/tenant-related issues FORBID ~ for the protection and safety of others and with regard for the care and welfare of children ~ SIX or EIGHT or TEN people living in a one or two bedroom apartment.
Golden Rules for Undocumented Immigrants in U.S.
San Francisco, CA – In these times of uncertainty and high alert following the September 11 attacks and the war against terrorism, it’s important that undocumented immigrants avoid high-risk situations. Following are ten basic and fundamental steps suggested by the Mexican Consulate for all those who find themselves in this situation.
1.- As soon as you arrive in a city in the United States, you should contact your nearest Consulate. The Consulate has people designated specifically for the protection and defense of the human and labor rights of its foreign nationals. There are ten Consulate offices available for Mexicans in California: Calexico, San Diego, Los Angeles, Oxnard, Fresno, Santa Ana, San Bernardino, San Jose, Sacramento and San Francisco.
2.- If you have neither family nor friends, read the newspapers, listen to Spanish-language radio and watch televised news. You will generally find important information on housing, local issues and interesting news. Churches are good places to seek advice and aid even if you are not devout.
3.- When talking with the police, immigration officials or any type of legal authority, “it’s a thousand times better to be undocumented than to have false documents.” Stiff jail sentences exist for those found carrying false documents, while an undocumented person is simply deported from United States territory.
4.- Remember you are better off following the strict letter of the law in this country. Always use your seatbelt, never drink alcoholic beverages while driving, follow the speed limit and always obey traffic signals. If you are detained by the police for violating minor laws, the risks you take are high and could have serious repercussions on your life.
5.- Be discreet and take precautions. Be a discreet and friendly neighbor. Don’t litter and don’t make a horrible mess of your hallway or yard since this can anger your neighbors. Never abandon your shopping cart. Show that you are a careful, respectable person.
6.- If you are living with family, it’s important to never leave children under the age of 12 alone at home or in a car. It is against the law. Do not hit or abuse your spouse nor children. Child abuse carries serious penalties in this country; you can be deported whether you are undocumented or a legal resident.
7.- An undocumented person who marries a citizen or legal resident can then obtain legal residency. It’s important for the legal partner to apply for the Fiancé Visa with the Immigration Naturalization Service (INS). The undocumented person MUST leave the United States and then return with said visa in order to marry. Do not attempt simultaneous marriages; you could be arrested and sentenced to jail.
8.- The undocumented person can take advantage of their stay in the United States to study, be it English or a profession. If you have already finished high school or vocational/technical school, it’s in your best interest to investigate the requirements to pursue a career here on a student visa. The most economic schools are the Community College or Technical Institutes. Once you’ve gotten your acceptance letter from a school, you must travel to your country to obtain a student visa. Remember that your passport must be expedited in YOUR country of origin.
Bear in mind that due to Gov. Gray Davis’ recent decision, undocumented youth who have finished high school in California can be admitted to state universities and colleges paying resident tuition.
9.- The undocumented person who has pursued professional studies or has a history as a small business owner has the opportunity to pursue diverse types of visas. The student visa can include your whole family with a dependents visa. For this, you must demonstrate economic solvency to the educational institution that issues your acceptance letter and immigrant forms that will be presented at your consulate in the United States.
There are many different types of visas and opportunities. Engineers holding degrees of any type can try for an H-IB visa, and in certain situations there are opportunities for teachers (www.vifprogram.org), doctors and nurses holding degrees (knowledge of the English language being priority).
In the case of laborers with no school certificates, but who know a profession well, it may be more convenient to locate the Commission of Certification and Competency in Labor from your country of origin to obtain a work certificate. If you are Mexican, you need to contact this commission, known as CONOCER (www.conocer.org.mx) directly at the offices of the Labor Secretary in the capital city in the state you are coming from. With this document, which guarantees your technical skills, your employer in the United States will have a better chance of obtaining a work permit for you.
10.- The individual with a history as a small business owner, who has or has had a business registered in Mexico, could benefit from the NAFTA visa. Other Latin American countries also have similar accords and regulations. Consult an immigration lawyer, since almost all provide free orientation over the phone. Negotiate until your first visit with the lawyer in person is either free or low in cost. Investigate thoroughly before hiring a lawyer, and ask either at your consulate or at a well-known agency that provides services for Latinos.
Bernardo Méndez Lugo works at the Mexican Consulate in Press and Commercial Promotion in San Francisco. Comments: bmendex@hotmail.com