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By MARY CALLAHAN and MARTIN ESPINOZA
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Sonoma County immigration advocates welcomed the news Friday that President Barack Obama plans to ease rules that force the separation of some immigrant families.
“If it goes into effect, it will help a number of people,” said Richard Coshnear, a Santa Rosa immigration attorney and a member of the Committee for Immigrant Rights of Sonoma County.
The change would allow undocumented residents who are spouses or children of an American citizen to stay in the country while they seek a waiver from the rule that requires them to wait three to 10 years before they can enter the country legally.
Most such applications eventually are granted.
Coshnear said that undocumented immigrants currently qualify for a waiver if they can show that their family member who is a U.S. citizen would experience extreme hardship because of the separation. However, to get the waiver, they must leave the country, and often wait a long time before the waiver is granted.
Manuel Rivera, immigration services coordinator for Catholic Charities in Santa Rosa, greeted the new policy with cautious optimism, saying anyone who might benefit will need to make sure they had a full understanding of all the implications before applying for a waiver.
But he called the change “very, very good news,” and said it already has generated many calls and inquiries to his office.
“I’ve seen cases where the wife of a U.S. citizen had to spend four years separated from their U.S. citizen husband,” Rivera said.
More often it’s about eight months or a year, with the “very lucky” winning waivers after “one week, two weeks, two months.”
“The person has to be ready and prepared to spend a year outside the United States separated from the rest of the family,” Rivera said.
He also cautioned that, even with the policy shift, non-citizens can be barred from the country if officials learn of immigration fraud or certain criminal convictions that make them inadmissible.
He also underscored the fact that new policy does not apply to non-citizen parents of U.S. citizens. Parents who leave after a year or more of illegal presence in the country still face a 10-year bar, he said.
“It’s a very sensitive issue dealing with immigration,” Rivera said, but “people are very happy to hear” Obama’s proposal.
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There are no Illegal Immigrants,just Undocumented Democrats.
This is as predictable as it is transparent.
Just election year bull$%@# from a failed charlatan.
I’m sure there’s more to come.
The Spanish and the Mexicans lost every war they ever fought with the US.
To be fair, we then paid them for the lands they lost.
Delusional Mexicans may think they own the US, but the truth is they simply squat and trespass until the rightful owners tire of the charade.
Then they leave or are deported.
It would be a bad idea to attempt requonquista.
History would not be on their side.
The only way Mexico gets the SW back is if we surrender.
Given the current Administration’s history, that is not a far-fetched notion.
We may soon have to fight the old-fashioned way to keep our country.
Gato; meet Perro.
Woof!
Well Kitty,
You were lied to. California wasn’t taken, it was sold. Don’t try to jump on the Native American band wagon. They have a gripe because they were conquored and driven out by superior firepower.
@Gato
I wonder if you realize that Spanish is a European language? That it came from a country called SPAIN? And that the Native American Population immigrated to North America through a land bridge in the Bering Straits tens of thousands of years ago? You cry about equal rights, but let’s be serious here. How is it fair to your brothers and sisters that actually went through the process to legally immigrate here? I don’t think that’s fair at all that any documented immigrant should be subjected to unfairness because a some decided they have not civil decency to follow the law of the land. No, you don’t own the land up here or have rights to it unless you’re a US Citizen. Technically, if there were still Native American Indian tribes in the area and you tried to move into this area, you’d probably be killed. Each tribe was a separate group, a separate nation. Even you’re all mighty Aztecs and Mayans knew this. They sacraficed the people of the lands they conquered as well. You have the notion of being Native American as much as I have of being European…which is NONE.
But that’s not the point, the point is that we have a set of laws. Obama is trying to skirt around the laws to gain the vote from hispanic population. Once you’re all used up, you’ll be tossed to the side as everyone else is. You’re just a pawn in this big game of politics.
I am the son of an immigrant European, who waited eight years to have the opportunity to come here. I support the rights of documented immigrants. I do not support the rights of undocumented immigrants. Rich Coshnear and Alicia Roman, although they seem they want to help, they’re using the undocumented immigrants for their own greediness. Do you think they do what they do for free? I’m pretty sure they don’t, and if they do from time to time, it’s because they’re doing it for publicity.
Before you call me racist, I’m married to a hispanic woman. My best friends are hispanic (Mexican, Puerto Rican, Peruvian, Salvadorian). I welcome hispanic immigrants from any country from the south of our own, but as long as they do it legally. I don’t support people calling the children of illegals “anchor babies”, it’s not the fault of the child when their parents are not responsible individuals.
So again, the illegal immigrants are just a political pawn in the game of politics and one day that will all change because there will be a new base from somewhere to try to pull votes from and you’ll just be left in the wash of past exploits like everyone else.
Meanwhile, deserved citizens that have married someone outside this country legitimately have to wait and wait.
I had an employee that married a Spanish citizen. A close friend married a Canadian guy. Both did it by the time and cash consuming current system. Both are great additions to our country. I even know one of those 3 year Russian wife exceptions that is a great addition to the US. Sure, it is a bit of a scam and she did have a child, but she doesn’t take public funds, and is a very talented manager.
To toss all immigration into one category is insane, yet that is how we do it.
That is one reason that we are a failing State.
@Mrs.K
Yes, I honestly do!
ILLEGALS don’t support the right for little Julio to grow up & marry Jose but they certainly support the “Programs”!
The hand outs, the free money, the re-distribution of American middle class wealth and it’s not too tough to figure out which party promises more of THAT.
If they would “risk” getting caught using a stolen Social Security number (common practice) what makes you think they wouldn’t risk VOTING to keep the gravy train rolling??
And yes, Americans Are NOT “lining up for” those jobs but if you FIRE THE NANNY and shut down huge chunks of the Malignant Government Bureaucracies designed to completely exterminate man’s will to succeed, we would see a sharp rise in the rate of unemployment among Illegal Aliens in America as lazy, greedy Americans are forced to peel themselves from the couch.
“Oh, the humaity!”
Do you honestly think that an illegal immigrant would risk deportation by trying to vote in a California election?
Unlike many here the illegals are smart enough to know that it doesn’t matter who is in office. Most rich people depend on illegal labor. The lure of paying below minimum wage is just impossible to resist. True unfettered capitalism….The American way.
“The comfort of the rich depends upon the abundant amount of the poor” —Voltaire
And why do you think illegals are taking jobs away from “Americans”. Last I checked there were no white folks lining up to pick grapes or clean houses. It’s not like they beat you out for gig at Medtronics!
Per Pew Hispanic Center –
The majority of immigrants are opposed to Obama’s immigration reform…
“Deportations have reached record levels under President Obama, rising to an annual average of nearly 400,0001 since 2009, about 30% higher than the annual average during the second term of the Bush administration and about double the annual average during George W. Bush’s first term.”
@Gato
If California were still part of Mexico you and I would both be trying to sneak into Oregon.
It’s pretty obvious that what Obama wants is more undocumented Democrats for the upcoming elections. At least President Barry Soetoro can’t be accused of being a hypocrite since he is also an illegal alien.
So Gato, who will be working the high skilled and well paid jobs, so that there is money to help support the mostly low skilled job holding Latinos coming North to “their” lands? Will there eventually be a tipping point when the state can no longer support too many low wage earners, even though they think these are their lands? If that happens, will that have created the culture and standard of living this mode of thinking Latino immigrant is looking for? Will they have begun to dedicate themselves to higher education and learning English for more opportunity? Current school data regarding learning English and graduation rates for Latinos shows that this is a problem area. This path relegates one to a lower skilled, lower wages job. If this is not changed, what have the immigrating Latinos gained besides population and lands? Will they then need to immigrate elsewhere for a higher standard of living again? There are only so many low skilled job workers needed. How would you address these possible problems?
Gee Gato Mexico has their own set of rules when it comes to illegals in their country.
“– The Mexican government will bar foreigners if they upset “the equilibrium of the national demographics.” How’s that for racial and ethnic profiling?
– If outsiders do not enhance the country’s “economic or national interests” or are “not found to be physically or mentally healthy,” they are not welcome. Neither are those who show “contempt against national sovereignty or security.” They must not be economic burdens on society and must have clean criminal histories. Those seeking to obtain Mexican citizenship must show a birth certificate, provide a bank statement proving economic independence, pass an exam and prove they can provide their own health care.
– Illegal entry into the country is equivalent to a felony punishable by two years’ imprisonment. Document fraud is subject to fine and imprisonment; so is alien marriage fraud. Evading deportation is a serious crime; illegal re-entry after deportation is punishable by ten years’ imprisonment. Foreigners may be kicked out of the country without due process and the endless bites at the litigation apple that illegal aliens are afforded in our country (see, for example, President Obama’s illegal alien aunt — a fugitive from deportation for eight years who is awaiting a second decision on her previously rejected asylum claim).
– Law enforcement officials at all levels — by national mandate — must cooperate to enforce immigration laws, including illegal alien arrests and deportations. The Mexican military is also required to assist in immigration enforcement operations. Native-born Mexicans are empowered to make citizens’ arrests of illegal aliens and turn them in to authorities.
– Ready to show your papers? Mexico’s National Catalog of Foreigners tracks all outside tourists and foreign nationals. A National Population Registry tracks and verifies the identity of every member of the population, who must carry a citizens’ identity card. Visitors who do not possess proper documents and identification are subject to arrest as illegal aliens.
All of these provisions are enshrined in Mexico’s Ley General de Población (General Law of the Population) and were spotlighted in a 2006 research paper published by the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Security Policy. There’s been no public clamor for “comprehensive immigration reform” in Mexico, however, because pro-illegal alien speech by outsiders is prohibited.”
http://michellemalkin.com/2010/04/28/police-state-how-mexico-treats-illegal-aliens/
Obama’s gusture does nothing to solve the immigration barriers and walls put up by a racist government. Latinos have a right to come to California and any other state anytime they want. We don’t need any papers this was our land and our culture, not the white europeans who took this land from us.
The border is just a line, it means nothing to us. We live all over north america. The government just wants to keep our families broken and living apart hoping we will give up and go south where they think we belong.
We want our lands back and we want equal rights, justice, our language and culture back here in California.
If the whites can’t accept it, go back to where you came from.
If I was an illegal immigrant I would not be protesting right now. In fact, I would probaly be down on my knees thanking the Virgin Mary for my good fortune. Our country has rolled out the red carpet and rewarded those bold enough to sneak into this country.
It was obvious from the picture in the paper that this was a parade and not a protest of any kind. These Hispanics are not occupiers as they are thrilled with all the new laws that support them and actually give them preferential treatment over and above what US citizens are allowed in some cases.
Our government, under Obama has clearly demonstrated that it favors illegals and wants them to continue coming in to take our jobs and receive benefits. Why are they doing it? My view is that they are deliberately trying to destroy the American culture by diluting our population with people from other countries having very different and lower standards of living. As the globalization continues and cultures and peoples are merged, there will be more acceptance of changes and the transformation that Obama keeps talking about. For Americans, the only way to go is down and we are seeing that downward push being supported by our government. The American people have been betrayed by our leaders that no longer have our best interests at heart.
Why are “ILLEGAL” Immigration supporters called “Immigration Advocates” while people who support LEGAL Immigration are called “Anti-immigration” or WORSE?
And who falls for this crap?
I love how Catholic Charities always helps out the poor on the working people’s dime…that big non-profit for profit company…perhaps if they had to pay for the illegal benefits and care they would be whistling a different tune. Time to start taxing the Churches!
Does Obama do anything but pander? This is destroying our country.
Obama Promised Immigration Reform. Instead, he gave us 3 years of raids and mass deportations!
He needs the latin vote….this is one Puerto Rican who WILL Never vote for Obama!
News coverage of the immigration issue has become all too predictable.
Any and all inconveniences that befall illegal immigrant families, as well as calamities, are always the fault of our immigration laws. Never, ever are they the consequence of violating U.S. law.
Why not skip all this pretend stuff about enforcing the law and just change it to reflect current practice? Unless one commits a violent felony, the penalty for violating our immigration laws will be a quick visit to the home country and then de facto legal reentry to the U.S.
But why bother even with that? What purpose does it serve? Who’s being fooled?
I think this is a joke. If you read this article and replace “undocumented” with illegal I think you will understand. Want to fix the budget? Then lets “reunite” these “undocumented” families in their homelands and not here. These “undocumented” people should be treated with the same respect their homelands treat illegal aliens. Oh, Mexico incarcerates them and charges the prisoner for the stay.
There will never be a serious debate about immigration in this country until we hit the wall financially and most of the welfare/wic/food stamps get cut off. Immigration is only more competition for jobs. When you’re on the dole it doesn’t matter that wages are being driven down by these people, because you don’t want a job anyway. The only people who currently care about our borders are people who work for a living.