Green card issued in 4 weeks for an illegal. Im angry

[meauxna 15]

We do not know their particular reasonings or life-stories. Someone asked the other day the age old question, "If your family were starving, would you steal bread?"...and then had the nerve to answer no. Me? You bet your a$$ I would steal that bread.

That would be lovely if it were true for everyone here illegally. Unfortunately, it's just not true. Speaking from my own experiences, there are more than a feww here 'just because'. It is not a question of starving babies back home, unless you also factor in that it's a case of Dish Network, a new ride (2 actually!) and fishing trips (paid).

Yes, they can often do "better" in the US, but is that a life/death situation?

[JimiInLove 0]

We do not know their particular reasonings or life-stories. Someone asked the other day the age old question, "If your family were starving, would you steal bread?"...and then had the nerve to answer no. Me? You bet your a$$ I would steal that bread.

That would be lovely if it were true for everyone here illegally. Unfortunately, it's just not true. Speaking from my own experiences, there are more than a feww here 'just because'. It is not a question of starving babies back home, unless you also factor in that it's a case of Dish Network, a new ride (2 actually!) and fishing trips (paid).

Yes, they can often do "better" in the US, but is that a life/death situation?

Here is my take on this whole "Illegal" immigrant thing.

All the immigrants in the world can come and work as they please, it won't bother me one bit.

You know why??

Because I know in my heart that no matter how many people come over I will still succeed. If i need to get a better education because of all the competition, then I would do that. If I needed to get stronger because all the immigrants coming over are very strong, then I would do that... I'm just saying, I would do what I have to, too beat out the competition on survival. People who wine about "illegals" coming over are the weak at heart, who are scared they will get left behind in the Rat Race......

Only the strong survive and the weak sit back and protest. I say bring it on.

And if your worried about your kids futures, educate them.

I really find it funny how you sell out immigrants who are coming over to USA are complaining about are immigration policy. IF YOU DONT LIKE IT, YOUR SPOUSE CAN MOVE TO YOUR COUNTRY.

This is no place to complain about illegals, when half of your visas expired already.

Edited April 10, 2006 by JimiInLove

[David&Erin_Owens 0]

We do not know their particular reasonings or life-stories. Someone asked the other day the age old question, "If your family were starving, would you steal bread?"...and then had the nerve to answer no. Me? You bet your a$$ I would steal that bread.

That would be lovely if it were true for everyone here illegally. Unfortunately, it's just not true. Speaking from my own experiences, there are more than a feww here 'just because'. It is not a question of starving babies back home, unless you also factor in that it's a case of Dish Network, a new ride (2 actually!) and fishing trips (paid).

Yes, they can often do "better" in the US, but is that a life/death situation?

Why does it have to be a life or death situation? I don't think anyone would risk coming here and starting a life that at any time could be taken away from them if they didn't have a good reason for doing it. Not a "just because" reason.

[motu 6]

I think all the angry people are misinformed about two things - one is the agenda of the racist to call working mexicans with jobs as 'Illegal' - but the corporations/businesses that hire them to be 'perfectly legal' - these people are not illegal even if bred in a tube! The term should be undocumented workers just like us in the AOS process - we are waiting for our cards and are in the 'racist' terms - 'illegal'. And finally who are these people calling illegals? The true legals are the Indians that welcomed the immigrants not the racist a**h***. There that makes me feel better - now another carona here please.

[meauxna 15]

We do not know their particular reasonings or life-stories. Someone asked the other day the age old question, "If your family were starving, would you steal bread?"...and then had the nerve to answer no. Me? You bet your a$$ I would steal that bread.

That would be lovely if it were true for everyone here illegally. Unfortunately, it's just not true. Speaking from my own experiences, there are more than a feww here 'just because'. It is not a question of starving babies back home, unless you also factor in that it's a case of Dish Network, a new ride (2 actually!) and fishing trips (paid).

Yes, they can often do "better" in the US, but is that a life/death situation?

Why does it have to be a life or death situation? I don't think anyone would risk coming here and starting a life that at any time could be taken away from them if they didn't have a good reason for doing it. Not a "just because" reason.

Well, to back up & give context, I was responding to jelti saying s/he understands entering illegally if it is necessary to give your family at home a better life.. true, I extrapolated the life/death part off of the stealing the bread example.

I find that in general, many people romanticize the EWI (Entered Without Inspection aka snuck over the border) as the poor peone who is wearing the big sombrero and can't find two tortillas to rub together and his family is in dire straights. And so, in desperation, he sneaks across the brder to live in squalid conditions and pick strawberries so he can send home $200/month to his family.

The reality is that a lot of people just decide to move to the US. The is a woman posting to the other group I read who was given a 10 year tourist visa. She decided that meant that she could come to the US for 10 years to live. She's met a USC who she'd like to marry. There is a Canadian posting a similar tale (sadly for him, without the benefit of the USC spouse). Just wanted to live/work in the US. And, there are Mexicans who decide the same thing. The husband, wife and son just came. Her brother came along later, as did his brother. They had another child while here (a USC by birth) who is eligible for many social services that ultimately benefit the whole family. They live modestly, but have luxuries that I don't (rather, that I choose not to have); regular apartment, nice town, good meals, lots of friends, DISH TV (with the extra sports package) etc.They are full members of our community except for one small detail: they never stopped in to get an invitation (visa) to move here.

I call all of the above 'just because' reasons.

[David&Erin_Owens 0]

We do not know their particular reasonings or life-stories. Someone asked the other day the age old question, "If your family were starving, would you steal bread?"...and then had the nerve to answer no. Me? You bet your a$$ I would steal that bread.

That would be lovely if it were true for everyone here illegally. Unfortunately, it's just not true. Speaking from my own experiences, there are more than a feww here 'just because'. It is not a question of starving babies back home, unless you also factor in that it's a case of Dish Network, a new ride (2 actually!) and fishing trips (paid).

Yes, they can often do "better" in the US, but is that a life/death situation?

Why does it have to be a life or death situation? I don't think anyone would risk coming here and starting a life that at any time could be taken away from them if they didn't have a good reason for doing it. Not a "just because" reason.

Well, to back up & give context, I was responding to jelti saying s/he understands entering illegally if it is necessary to give your family at home a better life.. true, I extrapolated the life/death part off of the stealing the bread example.

I find that in general, many people romanticize the EWI (Entered Without Inspection aka snuck over the border) as the poor peone who is wearing the big sombrero and can't find two tortillas to rub together and his family is in dire straights. And so, in desperation, he sneaks across the brder to live in squalid conditions and pick strawberries so he can send home $200/month to his family.

The reality is that a lot of people just decide to move to the US. The is a woman posting to the other group I read who was given a 10 year tourist visa. She decided that meant that she could come to the US for 10 years to live. She's met a USC who she'd like to marry. There is a Canadian posting a similar tale (sadly for him, without the benefit of the USC spouse). Just wanted to live/work in the US. And, there are Mexicans who decide the same thing. The husband, wife and son just came. Her brother came along later, as did his brother. They had another child while here (a USC by birth) who is eligible for many social services that ultimately benefit the whole family. They live modestly, but have luxuries that I don't (rather, that I choose not to have); regular apartment, nice town, good meals, lots of friends, DISH TV (with the extra sports package) etc.They are full members of our community except for one small detail: they never stopped in to get an invitation (visa) to move here.

I call all of the above 'just because' reasons.

How are they hurting you by being here? Like it or not "illegal" immigrants make your life a heck of a lot cheaper. And it's not like they get any rights like social security or medicaid that our tax dollars have to pay for. Honestly, I think that the people who have such animosity towards "illegals" are really just bitter that it takes as long as it does and it costs as much as it does to do it the right way. If it wasn't for immigration, most of us wouldn't be here anyway. If someone brings their whole family here and they're working, and living, and paying bills and enjoying their lives, why should anyone tell them to leave? Who are they hurting? They're not terrorists, they're not subversives. They're just people who want the things for their families that everyone wants. Security, a decent roof over their heads, ample food on the table. And what are they sacrificing in order to get this? They're sacrificing the ability to lead a normal life without having to look over their shoulders. You did it the right way. So did my husband. He and I are lucky to know that he's here now. No one can take him away. But what if I had met him and he had been an "illegal" immigrant? Would it then have been fair to have him ripped away from his wife and child because he didn't fill out some paperwork? And they're not FULL members of a community. They're technically fugitives, because if they're caught, they'll be deported. Some of them will be taken away from family members, and sent back to a country where, depending on how long they've been here, they have no life anymore. I think it's wrong to judge everyone based on the three or four cases of the people you mentioned above.

[meauxna 15]

I think all the angry people are misinformed about two things - one is the agenda of the racist to call working mexicans with jobs as 'Illegal' - but the corporations/businesses that hire them to be 'perfectly legal' - these people are not illegal even if bred in a tube! The term should be undocumented workers just like us in the AOS process - we are waiting for our cards and are in the 'racist' terms - 'illegal'. And finally who are these people calling illegals? The true legals are the Indians that welcomed the immigrants not the racist a**h***. There that makes me feel better - now another carona here please.

"Undocumented" seems like a weasely Politically Correct word. It is against the law to enter without inspection. That person is here illegally.

You in the AOS process are NOT illegal. This is how an immigration attorney explained it:

"You are a B-1 who overstayed your admission time. However, although you are technically an "overstay", you are present "under color of law." In other contexts this is often call "PRUCOL" [permanently resident under color of law]."

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showpost.ph...224&postcount=7

Going back to the Native Americans, or the time when Mexico had possesion of the SW US is a futile argument as well. The world has moved on. Indiginous peoples can not claim back the whole globe.

Toma una cerveza mas, y una para mi tambien por favor!

[meauxna 15]

How are they hurting you by being here? Like it or not "illegal" immigrants make your life a heck of a lot cheaper. And it's not like they get any rights like social security or medicaid that our tax dollars have to pay for. Honestly, I think that the people who have such animosity towards "illegals" are really just bitter that it takes as long as it does and it costs as much as it does to do it the right way. If it wasn't for immigration, most of us wouldn't be here anyway. If someone brings their whole family here and they're working, and living, and paying bills and enjoying their lives, why should anyone tell them to leave? Who are they hurting? They're not terrorists, they're not subversives. They're just people who want the things for their families that everyone wants. Security, a decent roof over their heads, ample food on the table. And what are they sacrificing in order to get this? They're sacrificing the ability to lead a normal life without having to look over their shoulders. You did it the right way. So did my husband. He and I are lucky to know that he's here now. No one can take him away. But what if I had met him and he had been an "illegal" immigrant? Would it then have been fair to have him ripped away from his wife and child because he didn't fill out some paperwork? And they're not FULL members of a community. They're technically fugitives, because if they're caught, they'll be deported. Some of them will be taken away from family members, and sent back to a country where, depending on how long they've been here, they have no life anymore. I think it's wrong to judge everyone based on the three or four cases of the people you mentioned above.

Don't misunderstand, I'm just having a conversation here, and playing Devil's Advocate. So that you know, my spouse and I weren't harmed by this process at all. We were living togther overseas and filed at the consulate there.. his CR-1 took 33 days from filing I-130 to visa in hand, so I have no complaints there. I think the cost of living illegally is much higher than any fees we spent. We've only ever been apart by our own choice, so I've got no bitterness.

The thing is, without inspection we *don't* know who is who. We don't know who is a terrorist (ok, long shot in the main, I agree), we don't know if they are subversives. We don't know if they've murdered or assaulted someone before, we don't know if they have any communicable diseases. We don't even know their names. That information is not too much to ask for, IMO. There isn't a country I've been to that doesn't want to know most of that information about me before I even VISIT let alone move in.

We can't really compare our cases to theirs here either. Marriage to a USC is The Golden Ticket. It forgives all sins but one (EWI). And even for that, few are ripped from their family's bosom and sent away unless they do something else to call attention to themselves. AND, if they are, the USC spouse is still TGT and delays are reasonable (ie, not 10 years wait).

The family I spoke of has no forgiving relationship like that. Even their USC child can't do anything for them immigration wise until s/he is 21 years old.

But are they in jeopardy? Well, it's interesting. The paper in this one small town did a special edition awhile back, with a salute to our Mexican neighbors in town (they do a mass amount of the service sector work here, not agricultural work). This edition was chock full of resources, personal stories, including frank stories about their illegal entry (costs about $2000 per crossing, and yes, people can afford to go 'home' annually). The editor of the paper did a little interview with the DHS staff nearby and the ICE officer (Immigration and Customs Enforcement aka The Cops) stated quite clearly that they are not there to arrest/detain/deport 'undocumented' neighbors. His department is more concerned with port security and human smuggling from Asia (just found another batch in a container that took a 2 week tour across the Pacific in a big metal box). There really is very little risk of being deported where I'm at. Even those arrested on criminal charges are not always referred to the Immigration Court post-trial, like you would expect.

So I'm not making a case either way, again, don't misunderstand me. I am adding other facts that weigh into the whole equation. I think the most important thing is what you said: "it's wrong to judge everyone based on the three or four cases". That handful is an illustration of people from different backgrounds, different circumstances etc all making the same decision as the poor peone who we could maybe justify (breaking in to steal bread). I read stories like that every week; it's not just a few that I pulled out to make a point. I don't think anyone should be discussing "the illegals" as if they all came off the same boat--they are different, the reasons that brought them here are different, and the solution should be designed to cover as many of those differences as possible.

[sjoefl01 1]

I read today that the average "undocumented worker " here makes a little over $9 an hour. In Mexico they would make about $1.25.

I don't know about the rest of you but if I could make almost 10 times my pay in Mexico I would be spaeking Spanish right now. If the worst that would happen was to be sent home I would certainly take that chance. I don't blame them for coming and I don't think they are destroying the country. Obviously we can't just let this cheap labor keep pouring over the border or it will affect our pay.

For a change it sounds like the politicians are moving in the right direction. They should shore up the border and move the folks that are here now out of the fringes.

This is only my opinion.

The only part that is impossible is letting USCIS try to handle 11 million apps at the same time. The representatives do not seem to realize that this would be an impossible task for them. They can't even handle what they have now. It will be interesting to see what the plan is if these bills ever pass. I suspect that the government will clean out the pockets of these "undocumented workers" and they will die of old age before they ever get any sort of legal status in this country.

[mariav 0]

I agree with you, the whole process totally sucks and its always the people that do it the right way that have to pay!

I agree, totally unfair to the people who are waiting and have paid all the fees and went thru this long process. What gets me is..if my spouse for some reason is not approved, I as an american citizen will be leaving to go and live with him in his country.This is fair????

[Sinergy 3]

ask to have a lil sneak peak at the GC thats the best way to see if he really got it or not.

As far as I know, unless you have won the greencard lottery, you dont usually get your greencard that fast. infact my best friend from Romania, won the greencard lotto when he was here on a work visa (he went into the lotto before coming here on the work visa), and from the time he won, it took 3 months or so to even get the interview and Greencard.

so ask to see his greencard

[giddy34 0]

Marriage to a USC is The Golden Ticket. It forgives all sins but one (EWI). And even for that, few are ripped from their family's bosom and sent away unless they do something else to call attention to themselves.

I wished it was a golden ticket didnt think immigration would be this stressful ((((

And personally i feel badly that illegal immigrants are working below the american dollar because they are illegal They get exploited for that its no win situation

Australia is the same illegals get exploited there too lets look at the whole picture....

We all pay in the END one way or another

[JnLMN 0]

I see a lot of comments here supporting the illegal Mexican migrant--from poverty, to family ties, to what would it hurt... The fact is, those reasons apply to all of us here, and if an illegal Mexican can afford to wear Nike jogging suits purchased in the US and drive a new car, they can afford to come here legally. Don't attempt to tell me that's not the case, because I've personally witnessed it. They actually brag about it.

The problem is that the politicians don't want to offend the hispanic community by upholding the law--the law they swore to uphold and enforce when they took office. If enforcing immigration laws on hispanics, just like everyone else, is offensive...TOO BAD. We here are following the laws. We are making financial sacrifices to make our dreams come true. They should, too. In fact, with their large families, many of them are in a better position to do so than most of us. Take up a collection..say USD20 from all family members...and all expenses are easily paid. Phone calls are cheap, it's easy to visit by taking a simple walk across the border either way, and easy to transfer funds to family over the border...what the heck is the problem?

Sure, it's not fun...but what gives a Mexican more of a right to be with family than an Asian spouse and child waiting years to come here while battling through red tape? It's double standards pure and simple...and the poverty level is just as bad, so that can't be used as an excuse.

On top of that, noone expects a Mexican to learn English or to even attempt to become American for fear of their "losing their identity". That doesn't apply to Asians, Russians, Australians, Europeans...you name it. We have to bend over to make allowances for them and if we say anything, we're racist.

Flame me if you like, but if I have to follow the law to get my honey here and keep her here, then a Mexican should follow the same law, and be held accountable for violating it, just like me. I'm not racist in the least--I'm just sick of special interest groups winning concessions which, if given to me as a heterosexual white male born in this country, would be discriminitory.

[desert_fox 32]

I think he came over and stayed then had a baby in the states, there is law in california that says if your child is born in the state the family can stay.

The State of California does not issue Green Cards. This is a federal issue.

You do say that he entered on a tourist visa, so he can adjust status based upon marriage to a US Citizen, and maybe this is what happened, but California had nothing to do with it.

California law says he can stay??? this is nonsense as states do not deport people. People in this country are perfectly free to move from state to state and no state can deny you entry nor tell you to leave.

This post basically makes no sense and your friend has no idea what he is talking aout.

[Chris W 0]

The State of California does not issue Green Cards. This is a federal issue.

You do say that he entered on a tourist visa, so he can adjust status based upon marriage to a US Citizen, and maybe this is what happened, but California had nothing to do with it.

California law says he can stay??? this is nonsense as states do not deport people. People in this country are perfectly free to move from state to state and no state can deny you entry nor tell you to leave.

This post basically makes no sense and your friend has no idea what he is talking aout.

Amen..!

I think illegals should be run out of the country on a rail. It should be a felony to be in the U.S. illegally, and employers should be punished for hiring illegals. If the employers didn't hire them, 99% of them wouldn't've come in the first place...