Thread: Why longtime US residents risk deportation

Why longtime US residents risk deportation
By Lourdes Santos Tancinco
Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 10:59:00 08/16/2009

TWENTY years ago, Ruel entered the United States on a seaman’s visa. A few months later, he jumped ship. He wanted to explore his opportunities in the US and build a better future for the two young children he left behind in 1989.

To obtain residency status in the US, Ruel filed an application for political asylum.

Ruel knew that this application had no basis, but he had advice from friends that this claim was an easy way to obtain a temporary employment authorization document. And he got it.

After being issued his employment authorization, he started working as a parking attendant in California.

Ruel worked as a parking attendant for 19 years and everything was running smoothly for him until the agents of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) knocked on his door early one morning.

Unknown to Ruel, his application for political asylum had been denied in 1993 and a final deportation order had been issued against him.

Ruel was released on bail after a couple of days. He had to report to ICE regularly while the case was pending.

Ruel was thankful for being able to work in the US for 19 years. He was able to send his two children to college. His children are now health care professionals who also have dreams of migrating to the US.

But after his traumatic experience in jail, he began to suffer from depression. He knew that he did not have a valid reason to stay longer in the US and was distressed by the thought of being deported.

He regretted having filed a baseless application for political asylum, which had gotten him into trouble.

On July 30, 2009, Ruel died of a massive stroke. Since he did not have enough savings, his remains were cremated and sent to his children in the Philippines.

Quick fixes

Most of the undocumented immigrants entered the United States with valid visas. There are those who decide to overstay then take extra steps to try and legalize their stay. Others take the “quick but illegalâ€

If you put an application in with immigration you are told what the rules are by your lawyer. If you fill out your own application then you have to read it before you sign it. The information is there saying if you do not appear for any part of the process without notifying immigration you will be deported. You also must give any change of address to immigration. Ignorance is no excuse.

What was the point of this article? Seriously, do you know how many immigration "consultants" there are hanging out a sign, passing out fliers, buying online ads and websites, inviting people to forums, church functions, have law degrees...? Countless!

To use bad advice as an excuse is no excuse.

Their problems started when they entered the US illegally or over stayed their invitation. They created thier legal situation. That is no ones fault but their own.

Dixie