Thread: Problems with US immigration law highlighted by Utah family

Problems with US immigration law highlighted by Utah family
October 26th, 2010 @ 10:10pm
By Sam Penrod
AMERICAN FORK -- An American Fork man, originally from Argentina, is in jail. Though he's never been arrested before, he is in the custody of immigration officials. They are now in the process of deporting him, his wife and their two children.

The family's attorney calls it a classic example of why there needs to be immigration reform in the United States. In 10 years, the family says they have learned English, paid taxes, sent their children to school and tried to pursue the American dream -- but it wasn't enough to stay here legally.


Debora Zalazar and her family will soon be deported back to Argentina
When the Correa family left Argentina and came to Iowa in 2000, they did so legally on a visa waiver. They applied for asylum, but their petition was later rejected.

The family continued living in the United States in hopes of becoming legal. Then Friday morning, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents came to their home.

"They said they were looking for us and they finally found us. We keep using our names and everything," said Debora Zalazar.

Claudio Correa was taken into custody, while his wife and children were told to prepare to be deported. It was shocking news for their friends.

"Their children are honor students, enrolled in school. They are active in their church, so it came as a surprise to all of us," said friend Cathy Torlina.

Claudio and Debora are contract workers for a local stained glass company. Their work has included several LDS temples, including the one in Draper.

Co-workers say the two have a gift for creating art from their faith and have done nothing but good contribute to the community.


Immigration attorney German Flores is working to get a deferral on the Correa family's deportation order
"This immigration system is very broken. It needs to be reformed," says immigration attorney German Flores.

Flores is working to get a deferral on the deportation order so Correa can finish treatment for hepatitis C, which he recently contracted, and so their teenage son can graduate high school.

"There are a lot of sympathetic factors in this case, and I hope they will be given another chance," Flores says.

With their departure from the United States likely, the family says they will take all they has gained from America to start a new life.

"Knowledge is something that nobody can take from you," Deborah says. "So knowledge, experience, the life we have lived here, friends; nobody can take it from you."

The family's attorney is submitting a doctor's letter and several letters of recommendation to ICE in an effort to postpone their deportation for a few months.

In a statement Tuesday, ICE said: "The Correas' immigration case underwent a comprehensive review by judges at several levels of our legal system, and the courts held that he and his family did not have a legal basis to remain in the United States."

Federal officials tell us they are now in the process of making arrangements for the family's return to Argentina. http://www.ksl.com/?nid=833&sid=12983097

I have squirrels in my attic that keep finding a way to get in.

They are well-behaved squirrels. They don't make a mess. They don't make any smell. Only rarely do they make any noise.

They don't nibble on the old clothes or whatever other who knows what else is up there.

They even uncovered some precious old love letters that otherwise I would never have known existed.

With winter coming, I know they will need shelter for their squirrel babies.

They are about as good as good squirrels can be. And there are gazillions of acorns in the yard that I'll never eat.

But, you know what? I just don't care. This is my house, and squirrels don't belong in my house any more than the neighborhood possum.

I'm sorry, animal lovers. But that's just how it is.

Hasta la vista, Rocky y sus bebés.

When the Correa family left Argentina and came to Iowa in 2000, they did so legally on a visa waiver. They applied for asylum, but their petition was later rejected.

The family continued living in the United States in hopes of becoming legal. Then Friday morning, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents came to their home.

This is all I had to read....we have rules in this country for a reason. When an asylum claim is rejected, you don't get to stay just because you don't want to leave! This demontrates the correct decision was made to begin with as, these people seemingly have no respect for our laws to begin with.

I think Americans are tired of people coming to this country and doing as they please. Yet we are expected to sit back and say nothing.

Go home!

It's the toxic PC environment that we are in that allows this BS to be perpetrated! We are supposed to say, ahhhh, gosh, these people are nice, they shouldn't be deported just because their request for asylum was rejected and their visa was expired. After all, they are gooooood people.

To which I say, the LAW is the LAW and we ALL are required to follow them. Our laws aren't made to be violated just because they become inconvenient.

Get these people the hell out!

There are plenty of Americans who have honor roll kids and go to church. They cant afford medical treatment when they are sick. Hey senor, Take your hepititis C butt back to Argentina. They do have hospitals there dont they? We are tired of paying for your medical treatments.

Perhaps this person should talk to Obama's aunt......she knows how to stay in the USA illegally !!!

Perhaps this person should talk to Obama's aunt......she knows how to stay in the USA illegally

LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!