Illegal Immigrant Caught in Valley Hoping for US Citizenship

Reported by: Farrah Fazal
Last Update: 10:59 pm

HARLINGEN - One man is hoping President Obama fulfills his campaign pledge of immigration reform to create a legal path to citizenship for illegals already living here.

Felipo is in the US illegally, but five of his six children are American citizens.

Felipo's last journey to America was much different. He left Guatemala 15 years ago. He says there wasn't any jobs available, he couldn't make any money. At the time he couldn't afford to bring his daughter Maria with him. She was just a baby then.

He and his wife settled in Georgia. Last year he was deported back to Guatemala. He returned to the US a few months ago with his 16-year-old daughter Maria.

They walked through jungles for days, drove in cars as they traveled through Mexico and finally arrived in McAllen. They were caught in the brush and taken to a detention center.

An immigration judge allowed him to bond out. He believes its because of his 5 other children who are US citizens.

Immigration judges can allow undocumented workers to apply for legal status if they can prove they have children born here who depend on them for survival.

Felipo has court in May. He says he wants to work for a living, legally. He hopes he can get his papers.

http://www.krgv.com/news/local/story/Il ... U1XDw.cspx