http://www.wkrc.com

Family Concerns Over Immigration Bust

LAST UPDATE: 5/14/2006 10:53:00 PM


Whatever President Bush may say when he addresses the nation Monday, it probably won't matter for the nearly 80 suspected illegal immigrants picked up in Northern Kentucky this past week. They now face deportation. That could divide husbands from wives and parents from children.

Local 12 Reporter Jeff Hirsh takes a look at the law in cases like these.

To children and wives of the immigrant construction workers picked up in the Fischer Homes case, family should trump politics.

"My husband is one of the illegal immigrants. We are married, he's been here 9 years. We have a home, we have a car. He's not sending money away like everybody believes. We spend our money here." said concerned wife Joetta Smith.

But attorney Ivy Velez says that may not matter. Being one of the few native spanish speaking lawyers in the tri-state, she is now getting several calls from wives of the men picked up.

Velez says the law is clear, if you are an illegal immigrant you can be deported no matter how long you have been here, even if you are married to a U.S. Citizen.

A hearing for the suspected illegal immigrants is set for May 24th. Velez says that's just to make sure the men understand what's going on and they could be deported in a matter of days. If it's proven the men are illegal they must leave and have no chance at appeal.

Local 12 will bring you CBS News coverage of the President's address Monday 8:00pm. Stay with us for all the latest developments in this story.