Thread: Deportation to break up Beaverton family "SOB"

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Deportation to break up Beaverton family
Mom, 2 children ordered back to Guatemala; father, youngest daughter stay here -- for now
Friday, October 06, 2006
ESMERALDA BERMUDEZ
The Oregonian
BEAVERTON -- All around the modest double-wide that has been home to the Diaz family for years there are signs that their time together has all but run out.

Outside, a window sign publicizes the sale of their home. Inside, rally placards -- "Diaz Family Forever" and "Do not break them apart" -- line the wall. On a cluttered desk rests a last plea for help: a letter to President Bush.

After waging a decade-long battle for political asylum, Irma Diaz and her two oldest children, 21-year-old Luis Jr. and 20-year-old Monica, have been ordered to return to their native Guatemala by midnight Tuesday. They will leave behind father Luis Sr., who is appealing his request for political asylum, and Jennifer, an 11-year-old daughter who is a U.S. citizen.

"I know what I did. I know I don't deserve to ask for rights," said Irma, who entered the country illegally in 1993 with her older children. "But I ask for compassion. This country speaks of human rights. We came here because we faced threats in Guatemala. Please don't send us back."

The final order of deportation brings a summer of uncertainty to an end for a family who has built a life in Beaverton and doesn't see a future in Guatemala. While community members in recent months rallied in support of the Diazes, calling them ideal Americans, the family waited for help. They first hoped Congress would act on new immigration law and then counted on a private bill presented in Washington, D.C., on their behalf.

But federal discussions on immigration reform have stalled and in September, the private bill was dropped.

Next week, Irma and her children are expected to join the national stream of nearly 116,000 illegal immigrants who have been deported this year. Many of those left behind legal relatives -- children, parents and spouses.

While the Diazes may be out of options, others nationwide are fighting against the break-up of families, specifically the separation of illegal immigrant parents from their U.S.-born children.

In Miami on Wednesday, a coalition of local immigrant advocacy groups filed a lawsuit in federal court on behalf of dozens of U.S.-born children of undocumented immigrants. They contend that the constitutional rights of young citizens are being violated by the family's unstable status and that deportations of parents should stop until Congress rules on new immigration law.

In Chicago, an illegal immigrant and mother of a 7-year-old U.S. citizen has taken refuge in a church since mid-August when federal authorities ordered her to return to Mexico. Slow in packing

While Luis Diaz Sr., a maintenance supervisor, and Irma Diaz, who works in an embroidery shop, say they won't take that kind of action, they have been purposely slow in packing. They've bought plane tickets but avoid planning the trip to the airport. They pray that at the last minute something will change in their favor.

Three times this summer, the family's deportation was stayed -- once hours before Irma and her children were to board a plane.

In 1991, Luis Diaz Sr. left his family in Escuintla, Guatemala, after receiving threats for organizing a union at a paper mill. Once in Hillsboro, he applied for political asylum and was granted a work permit. When Diaz's application had not been processed by 1993, Irma set out illegally to join her husband, with Luis Jr. and Monica.

Upon arrival she filed separately for political asylum for herself and the two older children. In 1997, their request was denied, but they stayed waiting for federal authorities to rule on Luis Diaz Sr.'s claim.

This year, his request was denied by an asylums officer who found no evidence of past persecution or a well-grounded fear of future persecution based on Diaz's union activities. Diaz's case is on appeal. It is expected to take months for a decision, said Tilman Hasche, the family's attorney.

"We need more functional people like them in this country," Hasche said of the Diaz family. Neighbors, friends rally

On Wednesday, several family members spent the day preparing for a rally to get the word out and ask for help. About 100 neighbors and friends from school, church and work attended.

"The rules aren't functioning," said Jim Shinn, whose wife, Tish, taught Monica Diaz at Elmonica Elementary School. "They're supposed to help people who contribute to this country gain citizenship, but it's all very arbitrary depending on where you come from."

With less than a week to go, a return to Guatemala seems unreal, said Monica Diaz, who has lived in Beaverton since she was 7. The 20-year-old girl who hopes to be a teacher can't read or write in Spanish. She also can't pronounce Escuintla, the name of the Guatemalan town where she will live.

"This is my home," she said.

Esmeralda Bermudez: 503-221-4388; ebermudez@news.oregonian.com



©2006 The Oregonian

I know what I did. I know I don't deserve to ask for rights," said Irma, who entered the country illegally in 1993

Your right, you don't.

How much money did they have invested in job creation for their family or village in Guatemala?

If they were not prepared to go back they should not be blaming us.

She'll be back.

Boo-hoo! The Federal authorities did their job. Now what about ELVIRA ARELLANO??? They should storm the Church she's hiding at and deport her now! She can bring the Priest with her.

I'm CONFUSED and also very suspicious

With less than a week to go, a return to Guatemala seems unreal, said Monica Diaz, who has lived in Beaverton since she was 7. The 20-year-old girl who hopes to be a teacher can't read or write in Spanish

What's the deal? Are they ONLY deporting ENGLISH SPEAKERS and leaving the non-English speakers here???

Has anyone noticed how they've been picking and choosing, deporting NON mexicans and English speakers?

My smeller is buzzing non stop!

.

Originally Posted by americangirl

She'll be back.

....just give her a couple days.

After waging a decade-long battle for political asylum, Irma Diaz and her two oldest children, 21-year-old Luis Jr. and 20-year-old Monica, have been ordered to return to their native Guatemala by midnight Tuesday. They will leave behind father Luis Sr., who is appealing his request for political asylum, and Jennifer, an 11-year-old daughter who is a U.S. citizen.

Hmmm, what's wrong with this picture? As a husband, and father, I would never allow my wife and two children to be shipped out of the country without me!! If he is granted asylum, will the U.S. allow his 21 and 20 year old daughters to return?

Why was the husband allowed to remain in the country for over 13 years without nothing more than a work permit, that's just asking for trouble (anchor babies and deep roots). On his application, I'm sure he was required to list his wife and two daughters living in Guatemala. I swear, some of these federal government workers are dumber than a box of rocks, they had to have known the man wasn't going to remain separated from his family for over 13 years. Now, if he failed to enter his wife and daughters on his original application, he is a criminal!

Originally Posted by MW

After waging a decade-long battle for political asylum, Irma Diaz and her two oldest children, 21-year-old Luis Jr. and 20-year-old Monica, have been ordered to return to their native Guatemala by midnight Tuesday. They will leave behind father Luis Sr., who is appealing his request for political asylum, and Jennifer, an 11-year-old daughter who is a U.S. citizen.

Hmmm, what's wrong with this picture? As a husband, and father, I would never allow my wife and two children to be shipped out of the country without me!! If he is granted asylum, will the U.S. allow his 21 and 20 year old daughters to return?

Why was the husband allowed to remain in the country for over 13 years without nothing more than a work permit, that's just asking for trouble (anchor babies and deep roots). On his application, I'm sure he was required to list his wife and two daughters living in Guatemala. I swear, some of these federal government workers are dumber than a box of rocks, they had to have known the man wasn't going to remain separated from his family for over 13 years. Now, if he failed to enter his wife and daughters on his original application, he is a criminal!

I believe he'll be able to 'bring her in' at a later date under some such family statute.

I believe he'll be able to 'bring her in' at a later date under some such family statute.

I know he'll be able to bring his wife back, but it's the two older children I'm not sure about. Plus, if you're officially deported (court ordered), I believe you're required to wait 10 years before applying for entry back into the U.S. I wonder how that law works if your the wife of someone granted asylum?